One Woman, many roles

Nita Vidyarthi
Critic Statesman Friday, 10 June, 2005

The rivetting solo act Untitled by Lushin Dubey presented to a select audience recently in Kolkata is one such manifestation…Created from the "Gut" as Lushin Puts it, the bilingual play using Hindi and English, embraces a jester storytelling folk theatre style in which Lushin portrays ten roles-those of Raja, Rani, court-poet, thakurain, personal maid, young sahis, khasdasi, 11-year old girl, sweeper-woman and the sutradhar-with incredible competence.

Stunning effect of change of costumes, all on the hinter part of the stage, from sparkling evening gown to rustic salwar-kurta -dupatta, depicting the tumult in women of every stratum. Innovative use of the dupatta to portray different women characters need to be mentioned. She then appears with a mask as Medea's nurse in crisp English transporting later to romantic Kajri-"Ghir aye re kari badariya", playing the rani (queen). Seamless blend of English (the Greek play medea) and Khadiboli (Hindi) ghazals, Western percussion, Glove puppets, light effects, the black costumes and above all, Lushin's freedom of movement and acting of the ten roles project realism and symbolism side by side. She modulates her voice and expressions from character to character brilliantly and convincingly.