Review: INDIAN INK from STC and Pratidhwani Blends History and Heart

When you go to see a Tom Stoppard play such as "Indian Ink", currently playing at Center Theatre from Sound Theatre Company and Pratidhwani, you can expect to be immersed in whatever subject Stoppard has chosen, whether that be literature, history, math, music or landscape architecture, along with a fascinating interpersonal story with the characters. And while I usually appreciate the interpersonal stories of his plays, his chosen subject of interest is usually lost on me (mostly due to the feeling that you need to take a Masters class in whatever the subject is before you see the play to totally get it). Stoppard's "Indian Ink" is no exception although the love story at its heart certainly outweighed any gaps of historical knowledge I felt.

It's 1930 and British poet Flora Crewe (Caitlin Frances) has gone to India to write and for her health. Flora is no stranger to scandal having posed for the likes of Modigliani as well as getting into legal troubles for publishing some rather racy works. In India Flora meets painter Nirad Das (Dhiraj Khanna) and what begins as a simple job to paint her portrait soon evolves into much more. Meanwhile in 1980, Flora's sister Eleanor (Betty Campbell) is visited by two men looking for information on the life and activities of Flora back in the 30's. Eldon Pike (Scott Ward Abernethy) is looking for all the juicy details regarding Flora for his biography of her and Anish Das (Monish Gangwani) is just looking for information on the relationship she may have had with his Father.

Fortunately director Andrew McGinn has allowed the love story to bloom and shine through rather than getting mired down in the political and historical aspects of the play. And the love story he's portrayed is lovely but never forced or unseemly. And when portrayed with such heart from his wonderful ensemble and coupled with a beautiful lighting design from Richard Schaefer it's one that you'll carry with you long after you leave the theater.

Francis and Khanna are stunning in their respective roles. Both very honest and real with distinct characters and their chemistry together is sublime and fits in with the tone of the period perfectly. Campbell is equal parts touching and hilarious as a force of nature who doesn't take kindly to people telling tales about her family. Abernethy too has some wonderfully funny moments as he searches with obsessive devotion for any shred of information on the relationship. Gangwani is quite sweet as the young man just looking for the truth about his father. And I have to mention fantastic turns from Frank Lawler as the awkward British suitor to Flora and Gurvinder Pal Singh as the manipulative Indian guide to Pike.

The show didn't manage to thrill me and its almost three hour run time was a little long winded for my taste but the love story and relationship once the play gets going is palpable and the resulting moments are hauntingly beautiful. And so with my three letter rating system I give "Indian Ink" a satisfied sigh of a MEH+. I just wish Stoppard would write plays for people that haven't done hours of extensive research on a given topic.

"Indian Ink" from Sound Theatre Company and Pratidhwani performs at the Center Theatre through August 30th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.soundtheatrecompany.org.

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