Modern family

Dubey explains that since her company Primetime Theatre Co has mostly been presenting original Indian works in English,this has been a different experience altogether. “Ninety per cent of our plays have been original Indian works in English as I have always believed in encouraging new writers in our country. But at times you come across some plays that are excellent works of art and transcend space,time,culture and are deliciously tempting. August:Osage County is one such production that is brilliantly written and has well fleshed-out characters,” she says.

The theatre veteran thought of staging this play after she was approached by Ballantines to present a new production. At the same time even Dubey was thinking of exploring new avenues. That’s when her daughter Neha Dubey told her about August:Osage County. “Neha had seen it when it was staged at the National Theatre Live in London. She told me about it and I bought the script.”

Dubey was completely hooked on to it as she started reading it and realised that she had found her new play. “There have been many works on families. But what I liked about August:Osage County was the powerful writing,dark humour and well-etched characters. Indian audiences can relate to it as all of us come from nuclear families and when the entire kin assembles for a wedding or a funeral,we face a lot of pressure-cooker-like situations that change the dynamics.”

Soon,Dubey bought the rights from the writer and put together the cast. She wanted experienced talented actors who would be committed to the project. “Most of my plays have crossed the 200-show mark. So I wanted artistes who can dedicate that much time to the production.”

As far as the play’s story is concerned,Dubey has not tampered with it but has only changed the setting so that Indian audiences can relate to it. While the original story is set outside Pahwuska,Oklahoma,Dubey has suggested in her work that the family hails from Goa. She explains,“I just wanted to set it in an environment where it seemed very natural and contemporary.”

It was also interesting for the theatre stalwart to play the lead role of a ‘whacked-out mother’. Considering the production is being made into a Hollywood film and Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep is touted to play the role of Violet,Dubey is glad that she got a chance to portray it on the Indian stage. “When you like a role,you just slip into it. I didn’t have to intellectualise Violet,I liked her character so much that it came easily to me. Sicne I was directing the play also,I did the least rehearsals. But Ira,who is working as an assistant director on the play,was my sounding boarding and gave me feedback consistently.”

On the acting front,it has been a challenging task for Sandhya Mridul too,who plays Violet’s daughter Barbara,and has a pivotal role in the production. Mridul,who was last seen on stage in the Double Deal with Mahesh Manjrekar,is excited to return to theatre and work with an eclectic cast. “Theatre is a humbling experience as you eat,travel,brainstorm and rehearse together. Moreover,I got a chance to work with actors like Mita Vashisht whom I have admired.”

Mridul is glad that she has landed a plum part in the play,that of a responsible mother,daughter and wife who is a pillar of support to the family but has her own demons to battle. “I play an extremely emotional demanding woman who is in her late 40s. She carries a lot of pain as her husband is having an extra-marital affair and her daughter is doing drugs yet she has to handle a dysfunctional family. I love the fact that I have the responsibility of portraying such a challenging role,” she signs off.

August: Osage County will be staged on November 10 at Mumbai’s St Andrews auditorium.