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Fiona Mountford's rating
A plot lost in the dark in The House of Bilquis Bibi
By
Fiona Mountford
2 Aug 2010
It’s probably a nifty idea to transpose The House of Bernarda Alba, Lorca’s fine drama of female oppression, to modern-day Pakistan. I say “probably” because this staging of Sudha Bhuchar’s adaptation is so inept it’s hard to see or hear what is happening.
One might have thought director Kristine Landon-Smith, who founded British-Asian company Tamasha with Bhuchar 21 years ago, would have learned that allowing a significant part of the action to unfold at the back of the stage behind a wall wasn’t the brightest idea. Likewise, positioning a sofa so that all we can see are the backs of the actresses’ heads. The projection is poor and the blocking hapless and sometimes we fear this all-female cast will collectively run out of energy before they reach the end of a scene.
Still, Lorca’s account of a tyrannical mother trapping five unwed adult daughters inside a house resembling a jail gradually resounds in its Punjabi setting. In this Muslim shame culture, women are prized for their virginity and dowry, a patriarchal set-up that widowed Bilquis (Ila Arun) upholds ferociously. These daughters might have mobile phones but their link to the outside world is only illusory.
Until August 14. Information: 020 7722 9301. hampsteadtheatre.com
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (2)
After a slow start this play came to life when the sharp dialogue between the sisters got going, and the audience began to appreciate the humour generated by the transposition of Lorca's classic to present-day Pakistan.
The play did not hold back from criticism - for example, of the power blackouts that are still common in some areas of Pakistan.
After the interval the dramatic tension ratcheted up as the talented cast came into their own.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and gripping performance.
- Jon C, North London, 03/08/2010 21:43
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I agree with Fiona. I took my mother and 2 aunts to see this play. I at least expected a healthy debate at the bar afterwards but I am afraid we were all unanimous in agreement that the play was tiresome and uninspiring.
I have been watching theatre for over 20 years and take a particular interest in British Asian Theatre. But lately I have constantly disappointed. Actually, most of what I have seen in the past few years has been quite repetitive and seemingly suck in the 1980's.
Very poor show indeed.
- Jamilla Jamil, London, 02/08/2010 21:44
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