REVIEW: Gandhari by Tom Kane and Vaishali Chakraavarty at Etcetera Theatre 26-30 September 2023

‘The talented and versatile Chakraavarty takes us through Gandhari’s experience as well as three modern mother’s stories’ ★★★

Sight is the sense that the majority of people state as their most important, the one they would least like to lose. In the Mahabharata, the Sanskrit tales of epic tales, Gandhari, the wife of the blind king, Dhritarashtra, chooses not to see. The reason for this decision is debated, though in this production, Gandhair proclaims she doesn't wish to be her husband’s eyes.

The talented and versatile Chakraavarty takes us through Gandhari’s experience as well as three modern mother’s stories. She transforms before our eyes using striking masks, silken scarves, as well as modern day dress complete with hooped earrings and under creative directorial guidance (Katie Georgiou). The beautiful, even if momentarily soporific, expression of the scenes from the Mahabharata (which is having its moment as the Barbican presently has a full 9-hour production of it), may lose some context to an audience not familiar with this mythology. Yet, it is wonderful, and essential, to see such tales brought to stage and connected with contemporary struggles.

Chakraavarty really comes into her element in the modern-day roles. With her comedic capacity as a guest speaker on a podcast, she engages her audience, real and imaginary, as she shares her IVF experience and wields her heavily pregnant body in front of the mike. Later, as a businesswoman who has made her child her business, she employs wonderful humour and irony to the Tiger Mother concept, complete with hilarious photoshopped images.

There is a lovely use of the projection screen to show a woman speaking into her phone in slight distress, but I wasn’t sure it was worth it for the constant buzz that hung around for two-thirds of the show as well as the strange single white line at the bottom of the screen. Such technical issues can take away from the beauty of being transported to another time and place, especially one rooted in a very ancient culture.

This is a show that makes one think of the various duties and phases in being a mother, the heartache and humour, and the value of sight in being able to play such an important role in the lives of others.

Gandhari at Etcetera Theatre 26-30 September 2023

Written by Tom Kane and Vaishali Chakraavarty

Performed by Vaishali Chakraavarty

Directed by Katie Georgiou

Sound and Communication Design: Shashwat Srivastava

Mask design and production: MD Shameem

https://www.gandhari.uk

Reviewed by Mariam Mathew