'The Editor Wants to Know', by Jann Sanchar Group begins with the intention of depicting the prevalent dichotomy in most newsrooms — the feeling of dissent between the editor and the proprietor of the publication. It’s a love-hate relationship that constantly tugs at the dynamics of modern journalism. Yet, the play is barely coherent and the actors frequently appear unsure and distracted. As a result, even the most hard-hitting lines come across as lifeless. For instance, Rahul is the “foreign-returned” son of the proprietor, who wishes to bring changes in the newspaper’s content. But his body language fails to display a menacing business sense.
The five-act play progressively deteriorates. Considering the topical nature of the subject, the play has a lot of potential but survives only on clichés. The character of the editor is placed on a pedestal, as a do-gooder who accepts a dismissal in the face of pressure instead of facing the issue until the end.
All words and no action, the play is not even half as representative of the ever growing and changing profession.
