Almost 10 years before he rose to power, a German silent horror film had predicted Hitler’s political and fascist takeover of the country. Directed by Robert Wiene, the 1920 film The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is considered to be a quintessential work of German Expressionist cinema and dwells on the premise of the brutal and irrational authority of fascism which conditions the common man and transforms him even to the point of murder.
Director-Scenographer Deepan Sivaraman brings the stage adaption of the cinema in the form of a dark, multi-layered psychological thriller play with the same name to the city this weekend.
Subtly portraying our contemporary political milieu, the plot trails the story of Dr Caligari and a somnambulist who is put to nefarious use that forms a gripping tale of murder and mayhem. The one hour, 15 minutes drama unfolds through a unique narrative technique interlaced with choreography and stunning visuals to induce horror and anxiety.
The cast includes theatre performers from around the country, including noted theater and film actor Prakash Bare playing the title role of Dr Caligari. Produced by NECAB (NSS Engg College Alumni in Bangalore) and Blue Ocean Theatre in collaboration with Performance Art Collective – Delhi, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was played at the 9th International Theatre Festival of Kerala in February and received wide acclaims.
Actor Prakash says why they decided to do such a play was because of the political state of the world.
“Everywhere democracy is being threatened. People are starting to become selfish. Narcissistic tendencies are overcoming democratic and secular spaces. We didn’t want to take a play that directly addresses this issue. But in a very meaningful and thoughtful manner, this play – which is going to turn a century old and predicted Nazism in Germany – talks about what is very relevant today.”
He continues: “That excited me. As an artiste we want to react to what is happening around us. But we want to respond through the art and make the audience think. A play on how the human mind can be externally influenced to unleash violence and hatred forms the crux of the story.”
He adds that some of the comments they’ve heard from the audience so far “Is that they’ve never seen a play like this. This moves beyond the conventional notions of what a play is and has a haunting effect. It makes you think long after you’ve gone back home.”
On playing Caligari, Prakash says a lot of reference goes to the Caligari in the film. “He’s a German. And he portrays how a manipulator should look like. Physical appearance is everything. People already have a notion on how he should look like. But this play is not conventional and is not actor-centric or text-centric. We use videos, puppets and a non-linear presentation. By the time the play is done, you are convinced about the personality of Caligari.”
Director Deepan adds his two-bits: “Unlike the usual textual scripts with dialogues that dominate today’s urban theatre scene, what I do is quite the opposite. I create a visual treat with a lot of physicality.”
On what inspired this theme, he says The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is an iconic classic work of cinema. “Filmmakers and theatre practitioners use it often as a reference material. When we redo this play in today’s perspective, I believe we have a similar political scenario. Adapting the movie to a play enhances the political commentary. We question freedom And how it is not absolute. Intellectualism always opposes fascism and a fascist regime tries to silence them. The play is relevant to the political scenario and hence it’s important.”
Deepan adds that the play is also very interesting theatrical performance. “It’s not a two-dimensional or textual play. It offers intriguing acting, characterisation and a strong visual language.”
Check the play out at The Bay Amphitheater, RMZ Ecoworld, Adarsh Palm Retreat, Bellandur on February 9 at 8.30 pm and February 10 and 11 at 6.30 and 8.30 pm.
