Six lives,three worlds, one night
Silent Hands’ latest production at the Stables assesses the symmetry of love
Asymmetry is a story of human chemistry. The play by Rick Robinson, a Los Angeles playwright, revolves around three couples: Sandy and Miguel, a mature couple who struggle to recover what, long ago, might have been something beautiful; Julius and Priscilla, two much younger lovers- shy, reticent and vulnerable- trying to reach out to each other and frantically seeking a way through the protective walls they have built around themselves; and Maggie and Cody- both sharing the same dreaded affliction but fighting against their very different views of life.
The stories of these six people come to a head on the same night, in the same physical space, each couple unaware of the others even as their stories intertwine. What directors from Silent Hands Jehan Bastians and Neidra Williams found fascinating about the play was its deep relevance; its raw, down-to-earthness. One of the intriguing human questions it dis- cusses is whether we seek partners who are symmetrical to us, or do we, instead, crave people who fascinate us with individualities that contrast with our own.
Staging the play with its nuances, subtleties, and complex characters with layers of shading was a challenge. The cast had to have a depth of experience as well as depth of acting, able to draw on their personal experiences in bringing out the roles.
This, you would think, would have left little leeway in selecting actors, but nonetheless the cast is seasoned and highly talented. Neidra forms a duad with Mohamed Adamaly, and Shanaka Amerasinghe with Michelle Herft while Celina Cramer and Devinda de Silva play young Julius and Priscilla.
Yet the biggest test thrown their way would have been that the actors were intrinsically so different from their characters. “Adam (Adamaly) is the perennial nice guy” Jehan says, but Miguel his character cannot be more different. Neidra plays a doormat “which could not be more of a contrast” from her real self.
The issues the play addresses may be intricate and subtle but their universality, the directors feel, will reach across to the audience. “Anyone who’s been in a relationship has experienced these issues: ego, personal demons, baggage that we bring from life in general, previous issues, how we feel about ‘our lot’ in life”. ..
Which relationships will survive? Which will be repaired? Is there any possibility of healing and balance at all, for anyone? These are the questions that are posed and that ultimately get answered.
Asymmetry is intended for mature audiences. The venue, the dark, elegant Stables at Park Street Mews, was chosen to conjure up an intimate experience, with no more than 250 seats for each night: May 11, 12 and 13 at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are priced at Rs. 3000 each. Each ticketholder will be offered a plate of tapas and a glass of wine at entrance. Not mentioning the food for thought: the sparkling fare you get to take home, cherish, mull over and discuss for days to come.