Review: APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH at Shri Ram Centre

Renowned theatre personality Sohaila Kapur's latest offering, Appointment With Death on stage is an adaptation of famous novelist Agatha Christie's book of the same name. The play was performed in Shri Ram Centre in Delhi on August 15.

From the hugely successful novel's beautiful Hindi translation to the theatrical execution of ideas and emotions, Kapur has managed to strike a balance in her new showcase.

The plot of the story is engaging and revolves around an American old lady Mrs Boynton, who is travelling with her family to Jerusalem. Her three children and a daughter-in-law who are with her are totally under the command of the matriarch. The story gathers pace with a motley crowd of other travelers who enter the scene ranging from a young woman doctor and a psychiatrist.

But amidst all the hustle bustle of these travelers something unthinkable happens. The story takes a morbid turn with the death of one of the travellers.

The suspense reaches its crescendo as the tragedy could have been a murder and every traveler is found with a motive to execute this ghastly act.

The audience is gripped into panic, anxiety and suspense in quick successions and that's the mastery of the narrative and its flawless execution on stage.

Novelist Agatha Christie known as the Queen of suspense is rarely ever explored in India's theatre world. So it is going to be a treat to get involved in this intriguing play.

While the script with its intricacies of family relationships is supreme, the characters on stage too have been able to bring justice to a seesaw of emotions.

While the matriarch seems to have everyone in the family under her thumb we soon realize that both her sons are on the verge of being resigned and rebellious. Her daughter is losing her mind and the daughter-in-law too is caught in a hopeless situation. It is not before that it becomes clear that the death of the mother may end many problems.

Each character infuses its own style that adds to the depth and the set recreates the look and feel of the background.

Without giving out much about this suspense drama, all we would say is check it out while it's on in the city next. You will be glued to your seats!

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