The sound of laughter and conversation bounces off the walls of the classroom nestled at the base of the Don Bosco School building. Cakes and crunchy snacks are being passed around, and a sense of bonhomie pervades the air. I have arrived in the middle of a rehearsal break. The Mustard Seeds Theatre Company is all geared up for their next production ‘Animal Farm’, an allegorical play adapted by Peter Hall, based on the satirical and dystopian book by George Orwell.
The group, headed by Isabel Santa Rita Vas, is an amateur theatre group that believes in creativity-in-community, performs contemporary themes and encourages local talent. It has staged over 65 plays in the last 29 years of its dramatic existence. Its commitment to stage two plays every year speaks of its passion and perseverance in the arena of theatre as a movement to mirror life and society, and bring about a slow but definite change. Animal Farm is humorous satire on the rule of the few over many.
The play depicts the abuse of language as instrument to the abuse of power. ‘All people are equal but some people are more equal than others’ - is a pervasive maxim derived from the play. The commandments of animalism keep the animals safe and united on the farm. However, when the pigs become power hungry and human-like, another maxim ‘Four legs good, two legs bad!’is twisted and subverted to ‘Four legs good, two legs better!’ Nalini Elvino De Sousa as Boxer
The present production rides high on energy, songs and satire to make the audience laugh at the nature of power games. It is tailored to delight those young at heart. The cast is a mix of old stalwarts and newbies. The latter have been enfolded, encouraged and groomed rigorously on the sets by the director and veteran actors. The seasoned actors have themselves picked up a breath of freshness from the newcomers.
Amongst the splendid cast is maestro, Ann Barreto Sousa. She’s playing dual roles of Major, the pig and a dog. As a dog, she does a speechless act, in the literal sense of the phrase and its hyperbole. She will carry away the trophy for the best actor hands down!
Kiran Bhandari and Dhruv Usgaonkar in the roles of main protagonists - Napoleon (the utterly corrupt and opportunistic political schemer) and Snowball (the ultimate idealist who has been corrupted by power)will also catch your attention.
In her inimitable and affable style, Nalini Elvino De Sousa plays the part of Boxer (personifying the loyal, dedicated and exploited working class). The Squealer (the silver-tongued pig who abuses language for power) is enacted by Sushant Figueiredo- the one who draws you in with his sly body language and manipulative mannerism.
Anshu Moghe, Karishma Alvares, Suvarna Bandekar, Kay D’Souza, Kimberly Noronha, Melanie Garreth, Veda Bhandari and Maya Afonso play the other animals who personify common people.
A merry bunch conjoined by their camaraderie and survival instinct, but easy targets of socio-political shenanigans. Kimberly packs a punch with her act. Nigel Khamkar and Aryan Bhobe, who play the two-legged beasts provide the human angle of power and greed.The little narrators Aryan Bhobe and Maya Afonso are riveting with their clear voices and propel the plot forward by befriending the audience.
To leaven the gravity of the play, the directors, Isabel Vas and Israiel Sarvishta, have impregnated the script with songs by Nigel Khamkar and Lara Condillac. The music is composed by Rui Lobo. Israiel, who dons dual hats of co-director and choreographer, lends energy to the performance through her peppy choreography.
Animal farm, as relevant today as it was seventy years ago, mirrors the world of politics in which power has become an end in itself. With local flavour thrown into this play, it makes a compelling watch.
BOX
Ann Barreto Sousa as Major, the pig and a dog
Kiran Bhandari as one of the main protagonists - Napoleon
Dhruv Usgaonkar as the other main protagonist, Snowball
Sushant Figueiredo as the Squealer
Anshu Moghe, Karishma Alvares, Suvarna Bandekar, Kay D’Souza, Kimberly Noronha, Melanie Garreth, Veda Bhandari and Maya Afonso play the other animals who personify common people.
Nigel Khamkar and Aryan Bhobe as two-legged beasts
