The Exit Interview is an upcoming absurdist play by Bengaluru’s Quiver Productions, ready to shake up the audience and get them thinking. The play is guided by the vision of Bertolt Brecht, who created unconventional theatre as a forum for socio-economic discussion. Rejecting the idea that the audience must be told what to think and how to feel, The Exit Interview takes the focus away from the characters on stage and shines a spotlight on its audience. “This play breaks all the conventional rules of theatre and allows for complete madness during the performance,” proclaims the director, Kunahan Thampi.
The protagonist, the unfortunately named Dick Fig, has been terminated by his university and is forced to endure that most inescapable humiliation of office bureaucracy — the titular Exit Interview, conducted by HR admin, Eunice. Fig is frustrated by small talk — he feels that people share more information and personal beliefs than they take the trouble to understand. He is determined to do something about it – at least once he’s done being fired. This play ricochets through Brechtian interludes, a pair of politically radicalised cheer leaders, a pompous newsman, communiqués from God and debates on religion, science and politics before reaching its surprising conclusion.
“Apart from hoping that they go through an existential crisis, we hope the audience questions what the true meaning of entertainment is,” reveals Thampi, adding, “At no point is the audience allowed to become comfortable in the story and they are constantly reminded to think and remember where they are, ie the theatre.” Written by William Missouri Downs, the play brings up prominent societal issues with a comedic flair to keep audiences entertained, and an absurdist element to get them questioning.
“The play breaks down into other plays. The play will sometimes stop being a play just so actors can take the stage to explain what the play is about. The fourth wall will not be broken so much as it will be implied unnecessary, and it does so with generous helpings of humour,” elaborates Julianna James, a crew member.
The cast and crew of The Exit Interview aim to have their audience leave the theatre with more questions than they had going in. The play does not offer viewers insight into a fictional character’s imaginary problems, but an incentive to venture into their own.
Quiver Productions plans to continue producing plays with a touch of absurdism, combining the unconventional with the excellent.
The play will be staged at the Alliance Francaise on May 14 at 5 pm and 7.30 pm.
— Anoushka Shyam
