What’s it all about?
There is something inherently poetic about the play’s title, but don’t be fooled, this is a hard-hitting tale of violence, corruption and vice in modern day India. Based on Katherine Boo’s non-fictional account of life in the Mumbai slums, David Hare’s adaptation follows the Husains, a family who earn a living from sorting plastic bottles, as they seek to make improvements to their Annawadi shack with the help of tiling company Beautiful Forevers. Overcome with jealousy, their one-legged neighbour Fatima, whose relationship with the Husains has never exactly been civil, sets fire to herself, laying the blame with the family she despises and throwing them into the uncompromising and unjust hands of India’s legal system.
Who’s in it?
Meera Syal leads an all-Indian cast, giving a formidable performance as the sharp-tongued Zehrunisa Husain. Her despair at seeing her family behind bars and her regret at not providing the bribe that could have prevented it all is truly heartbreaking. As her fellow slum dwelling matriarchs, Thusitha Jayasundera adds a touch of humour to her performance as the Husain’s deceiving neighbour Fatima by taking her insults one step further than Syal’s Zehrunisa, and Stephanie Street demands both sympathy and derision from the audience as Asha, a woman who has herself suffered yet is intent on gaining from others’ suffering. Flying the flag for the younger cast members are Anjana Vasan and Anneika Rose, whose portrayal of Manju and Meena, and the close friendship they share, provides some unbeatably heart-warming, and eventually heartbreaking, moments in the show.
While the production also boasts commendable performances from the male actors, particularly Shane Zaza as the industrious Abdul whose rubbish sorting efficiency is the envy of his rivals, it truly is the female performers who shine in this impeccably well-pitched production.
What should I look out for?
A critical reading of Mrs Dalloway… in every sense of the word.
Hundreds of plastic bottles falling from the ceiling in a visually and audibly stunning spectacle.
Corruption at its most appalling. At one point the authorities find a man murdered with his eyes and anus torn out. His cause of death, according to the authorities, is tuberculosis.
In a nutshell?
Rufus Norris’ rich and colourful production shocks and saddens but is a sure sign of great things to come for the National Theatre in 2015.
What’s being said on Twitter?
@DoctorChristian @WhichPennySmith @NationalTheatre amazing, moving, life affirming, powerful, funny, sad, shocking and brilliant #BehindtheBeautifulForevers
@TulipSiddiq Blown away by ‘Behind the Beautiful Forevers’ – amazing acting and incredible set. Go and see it if you haven’t already! @NationalTheatre
Will I like it?
Fans of Boo’s book will no doubt relish in seeing her story in all its glory on the National Theatre’s vast Olivier stage, bringing to life the vibrant community of Annawadi and its bustling setting in the shadow of Mumbai airport. Those who haven’t thumbed the near 300 pages of Boo’s epic study, which was built from her three years spent in India, will leave wanting to find out more about those living in the poorest areas of the country, whose experiences aren’t always realistically depicted in the media. Peppered with moments of extreme violence – we’re talking eye-gouging to outrival Shakespeare – it won’t appeal to everyone but it’s certainly a must-see for those wanting something bold, different and a taster of what Director designate Norris will bring to the venue.
Behind The Beautiful Forevers is playing in the Olivier Theatre until 13 April. You can book tickets for the show through the venue’s website or, alternatively, you can catch it in one of 550 UK cinemas when it is broadcast via NT Live on 12 March.