This psychological thriller is set in an unnamed country that has freshly transitioned to democracy. While hope is on the rise, the wounds of the nation yearn for a healing touch. Millions await justice.

Vivek Gomber is Gerardo; a young, idealistic lawyer, who previously fought for the oppressed. He is appointed on a commission to investigate atrocities of the erstwhile military regime. His wife, Paulina, played by a stellar Ira Dubey (who is also co-producer), hides a painful secret. She believes that Dr. Miranda (played by Neil Bhoopalam), whom her husband meets by accident, was her tormentor. There’s no way to be sure.

The mystery unfolds when Dr. Miranda pays an innocuous visit to Gerardo’s home, and finds himself staring at the barrel of Paulina’s gun.

Thoughts

I haven’t read the original by Dorfman, but Guthrie sure weaves a tight narrative. The three leads deliver strong performances. While Ira Dubey is the obvious star, Gomber’s delicacy and Bhoopalam’s ambiguity keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. Dorfman’s work was also adapted into a film by Roman Polanski’

A big kudos to the sound design (Rahul Nadkarni), lighting effects team (Yael Crishna & Arghya Lahiri), and set design (Simon Kenny). The little things made true voyeurs out of the audience. One instance is the way light falls and blinks away on the walls of a set, coupled with controlled spatial sound, making one feel that a full-sized car has parked behind the set.

The plot reveals itself like layers of an onion. Credit once again to the three brilliant actors for serving the audience some delicious food for thought:

What truly counts as justice? How far can we stick to theory and ideals? Does our approach to justice change when we are the ones wronged?

How thin is the line between a man of principle and a self-righteous prick who’d do whatever it takes for recognition?

How swiftly can a saviour, injected with power, spiral into a sociopath?

And the good old dilemma: does the end justify the means? An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind, they say. Or does it, borrowing from Billy (Sam Rockwell) in Martin McDonagh’s Seven Psychopaths, just leave the last guy with one eye.

The production also boasts a hauntingly beautiful musical score – particularly Schubert’s eponymous String Quartet. A little nod to A Clockwork Orange, perhaps? Those among the audience who are Guy Ritchie fans may experience flashes of ‘Sherlock Holmes 2’ think Schubert’s Die Forelle (Trout) and ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ (e.g. the sadistic Nazi doctor).

And of course – a live piece by the Symphony Orchestra of India (courtesy NCPA?) was truly the cherry on top of a dark, dense, and layered cake.

Lila Naatak Co’s ‘Death and the Maiden’ is a highly recommended watch. Here’s hoping the show returns to Mumbai soon.

-Ritvik Kulkarni