Some classics may be timeless but they need to be revised in keeping with changing times. Panchatantra Retold, a more contemporary adaptation of the vintage tales brings exactly that to the stage, says director Rebecca Spurgeon. “There is beauty and a certain charm that defies the clock when it comes to classics like these but the morals are very vague. For children of today, that isn’t enough.”
Three stories will be retold with this adaptation: The Blue Jackal, The Monkey and the Crocodile and The Monkey and the Wedge. Children of today are more sensitive to the world we live in and through these stories, Rebecca hopes to make it easier for them to understand politics of today and global issues, without robbing the classic of its soul. “One of the original stories talks about a Monkey who isn’t supposed to touch something but does it anyway. In the retold version we talk about why he doesn’t listen, for example. An understanding of the why is important but we’ve also tried very hard to still keep the Panchatantra flavour and do justice to that.”
Filled with shadow play, music, storytelling and physical theatre, this production encourages its little audience to ask questions. Although it is aimed at children, the play will also be enjoyable to adults too without being preachy, she says. “There are so many elements to the stories and the production that there is something for all, regardless of age. The only takeaway for children that we want is that they ask why the story is taking whatever shape it does.”
Panchatantra retold
Even though she’s passionate about theatre now, it happened to Rebecca by chance. A trained musician, she had always hoped to be a singer. “I wanted to be a singer, which lead me to do musicals. I remember I just randomly auditioned for this play and got through and that has been it. I’ve never looked back.” Rebecca began acting in 2005, performing at Thespo where she won twice for her role in Dattani’s Tara, in an adaptation by Gitanjali Kalra. Since then, she has acted in over 25 productions. She recalls nostalgically, “I just did it for fun and I won it! That’s when it hit me that things like that just don’t happen to you for no reason.” Its like they say, no matter where you go your calling finds you, you just have to be open to accept it.
What: Panchatantra Retold
When: May 13 at 8pm, and May 14 at 3:00pm and 6:30 pm
Where: jaagriti Theatre, Whitefield
