When Eugene Ionesco’s The Chairs was first staged in Paris in 1952, the audience was appalled at the lack of meaning and “absurdity” of the performance. What was a suicidal senile couple trying to tell the world through its repetitive gibberish?
When Dulal Roy staged Ionesco’s masterpiece at Rabindra Bhavan on the occasion of the World Theatre Day on Tuesday, questions about the decadence of Assamese theatre were put to rest, at least for a while.
A combined effort of Rangapeeth and the state directorate of cultural affairs, The Chairs, translated and directed by Roy, was a fitting tribute to the altar of “absurdity”.
The lonely old couple living on seashore tries to recollect and make sense of the past — their life is as repetitive as the waves outside.
Trapped in a meaningless, purposeless existence, the old man wishes to do one last meaningful thing — communicate his message and save humanity. So one day, they invite a large number of people to their house and appoint a professional orator to convey his “message”. They set up chairs and greet invisible guests who have come to hear the old man. But before the oration can begin, the couple commits suicide by jumping from the window, and leaves the orator to convey the message. But the orator, mute and deaf, only writes two things on the blackboard: Bread Angel and Adieu.
The most spellbinding moment in the 150-minute production is when the woman consoles the old man while he recalls his mother. The director is truly unmatched in creating some passionate moments.
Gunakar Dev Goswami, as the old man, is simply superb. It is, indeed, amazing to see the actor maintain the same pace in dialogue delivery throughout the play.
Pakiza Begum, with her haunting facial expression and body language, is impressive as the old lady. Kuntal Goswami, as the orator, too, does a commendable job.
In the programme for the original production, Ionesco had written, ‘‘As the world is incomprehensible to me, I am waiting for someone to explain it.’’ Well, Dulal Roy, we look forward to you explaining Ionesco for us, again and again. Bravo!
