Titas Halder’s one woman show about a tragic real-life story has plenty of power and punch but can head too much into the melodrama that can distract from the story.
Based on the extraordinary tragic events of a violent chemical reaction inside an American-owned Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal, India on 1984, Darkling is a play that is extraordinary in its ambition and empathy that exudes for the central character ‘She’.
Taking us deep into the story of ‘She’ who lives in poverty in Bhopal with her father, we follow her from childhood as she navigates a changing family life and changes in the wider world that lead to an immense tragedy that changes her life and so many others in the space of a night.
Throughout this one woman show, Tita Halder covers some intensive themes such as arranged marriages, poverty, sexual abuse (which is hinted at but never explicit), ecological destruction and miscarriage. While it starts exuberantly enough, there is a bleakness to it that keeps the audience – so it is a slight shame that the climax leans into more a melodramatic aspect that takes away slightly from the powerfulness and devastating nature of the story.
But it does have to be said that Halder’s writing is completely engaging and vivid that grabs the audience’s attention from the very beginning. There is a real poetic quality in the way in which scenes and moments are set – from the exuberant beginning in which ‘She’ happily describes where she lives and her experiences of living in Bhopal with her family to the sudden change and darker tones as she grows up and realises everything is changing. It is a really brutal coming of age story.
Directed by Matthew Xia, there is a real energy and pace to how everything unfolds – but occasionally it does feel that certain moments are lingered too much over and can slow down how the story unfolds. This being said there is plenty of emotion on display from love, fear, uncertainty and even defiance that ensures that the show remains compelling to hear and watch unfold.
The whole production as it goes on has a moody and intense feel to it, that matches the central character’s growing awareness as to how her life is unfolding – particularly in the way she frankly describes her changing relationship with her father, her abandonment by her sister and arranged marriage. There is plenty of power to be found in many of the scenes and stories that ‘She’ shares with the audience.
The use of the lighting (which is wonderfully vibrant and colourful), the set (simple but effective) and different uses of sound all become increasingly important as the show unfolds. Full credit should be given to Simon Kenny, Rajiv Pattani, Beth Duke and composition by Niraj Chag ensures that the story, individual moments and intensity is powerfully conveyed.
But this is a play that does require a strong performance that can ensure that the audience feels every emotion and change in tone as the story changes. Linnea Berthelsen (Stranger Things) delivers a wonderful performance, really capturing the changes in the character as she grows up, while portraying the other characters that ‘She’ encounters impressively. There is a real rawness to the performance that grabs and holds the attention of the audience from start to finish. Berthelsen dashes around with great verve and purpose – although sometimes the way she ends up positioned on stage can mean that at various times, some of the audience may miss some of what she says.
Overall, Darkling is a powerful play about the damage that an ecological tragedy causes both in the immediate wake and long term impact. The ending is a bit overwhelmingly dramatic but the intention is powerful.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Darkling continues to play at the Bush Theatre until the 24th October before embarking on a UK tour.