Old Times,New Show

Three celebrated theatre artists will revisit Harold Pinter’s enigmatic and mysterious drama Old Times an intimate,1971 dark comedy,at Delhi’s IIC. Pinter passed away last December. Sohaila Kapur’s Hungry Heart festival presentation,Old Times,a story of a ritzy middle-aged couple who entertain an old time friend turns out to be an intensely nostalgic evening where old secrets come tumbling out. “At the same time,it crackles with wit and sarcasm,” says Kapur,who also conceptualised and directed the play,first staged in March as part of a remembrance of the Nobel laureate. The Indian version,however is clearly lighter; it will be accompanied by live jazz in the background. Lata Bhasin will introduce the Jewish playwright’s working class background and the repertoire of his work accompanied by a multimedia presentation.

The hour-long production stars theatre veteran Sunit Tandon,who brings to life the character of Deeley,the husband whose past comes intruding on him. Kapur ,who reads the character of the deceptively complicated visiting friend Anna would unveil her myriad hues—from the warmly pleasant to calculating as Deeley and Anna engage in verbal spars over Kate,Deeley’s wife and Anna’s old roommate. Nandini Sra,reading out Kate’s character would punctuate the Pinteresque drama with her rendition of Smoke Gets In You Eyes,when Anna comes calling. The song is part of the play.

Meanwhile,providing a jazzy relief from the menacing silences between dialogues,(Pinter’s plays were much feted for their effective use of silence that heightened the tension) would be Reuben Israel who will set the mood with Blue Moon —a 1930s jazz composition and Dream,dream when you are feeling blue for the childlike Kate. All of Me is sung in the end signalling the fight over the past and the present. “Pinter was influenced by jazz and classical music. The songs chosen reflect the mood of the play,” says Israel.

The event will be held on May 26 at 6:30pm.