A Passage to India
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Date Reviewed: 15/05/2021
Review written by Cassie Cheeseman
Directed by Mark Nagle Haddon with Emma Whitehead as Assistant Director, this classical story transports the audience to 1920’s India, at a time when the British living on Indian soil, and the local population, were both closer than ever and worlds apart. A Passage to India is playing at the historic Genesian Theatre until 19 June.
Those familiar with EM Forster’s 1924 Novel or the 1984 movie will know that at its core a Passage to India explores the social, cultural, political and economic divide between British and Indians during the British Raj and Independence movement of the 1920s. For those unfamiliar the key things to know is that the production follows the fanciful Adele (played tenderly by the lovely Christiane New) in her quest to discover the ‘real India’ alongside her to-be mother in law Mrs More (played by Susan Jordan). Adele becomes intertwined with several characters throughout the production, though undoubtedly her presence in India affects none greater than Dr Aziz Ahmed (played by Atharv Kolhatkar).
The mammoth cast is possibly one of the largest I have seen in a Sydney theatre company production, with 20 different actors gracing the stage at varying times throughout the production. This is certainly no easy feat and high applause is deserved by each member for their perfect on stage interactions with one another. Of particularly wonderful note is the multicultural diversity of the production, with characters having been cast authentically as much as possible.
The beautiful outfits worn by the cast are truthful and colourful and high credit is owed to the entire costumes department, including costume designer Andrea Tan, costume consultant Susan Carveth and sari fabric provider Margaret Sims. All-rounder Mark G Nagle has designed a fantastic set which greatly aids in transporting the audience to India, replete with real tea in the teapots, bright British flags on the ground and real elephants (well not quite, but almost!). A personal highlight was entering the theatre and being surrounded by the incense burning and light chanting music playing.
A Passage to India offers an opportunity to escape the mundanities of Sydney living for an evening as you are transported to another world, filled with love, curiosity and betrayal.