with Jessie Elizabeth Daniel |
Women’s Christian College held a production of The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht, from 13-16 September 2023 at the Main Auditorium as part of the Annual College Play. The musical drama, directed by Mr Regin Rose, Founder-Director of Chennai Theatre Academy, dealt with themes such as capitalism and corruption. The cast was partly trained by Ms Melody Dorcas.
Set in London’s West End, the play follows Macheath, an amoral and notorious criminal, who marries Polly, the daughter of his rival, Peachum, the beggar king of London, prompting the latter to strive for Macheath’s hanging. The musical drama is a satire of the capitalist system which pushes the characters in this play to make desperate decisions. The play also deals with themes such as classism, poverty, love and the hypocrisy of the bourgeois society.
For the cast and crew, it was enjoyable participating and learning something new, alongside meeting new people. Regarding the experience of acting in the play, Reyna Kurian who played the role of Peachum said, "It was a new experience, new cast members. Though we had a very short time period, we still got close and we've been able to learn new techniques."
“For the audience, it's just one show but when you're in there, you see how much effort every person puts in. It was a place where people came together irrespective of their departments or which year they were in. By the time it was over, we all felt like a family,” said a member of the play's choir.
When asked the reason behind choosing the play, Mr Rose mentioned that "because it's a college play, [he] tried to avoid tragedy. For [him], [he] can't just do a script. There should be something which can contribute to society. There should be some social responsibility in the play."
The audience’s reaction to the play was mixed. While many praised the humour and the performances of the actors, the storyline was in for some criticism. At the same time, the play managed to shed light on contemporary issues, couched in quips and political satire.
Mr Regin Rose is an acclaimed director, actor and acting trainer. He did his post graduation in Theatre and Performing Arts from Pondicherry University and graduated from the National School of Drama, New Delhi with specialisation in acting. Mr Rose has acted in more than 30 theatre productions including Gargi, Petta and Ammani, as well as in short films and web series. He has conducted several acting workshops in different colleges.
The annual College Play is a 108-year-old tradition of WCC which showcases the talents of students in various aspects of theatre. Through the years, the College has staged plays spanning different genres, nationalities and styles.
"Injustice should be spared from persecution" - a cathartic act of Macheath in the final moments of the Play
When Soho came alive within the walls of WCC
