(Kumseela Naidoo,
Verushka Odayen & Madhu Maharaj)
Interesting and entertaining dramatic comedy production
which is well worth seeing. (Review by Keith Millar)
For the past ten years, the Dingalings Production Company have
been producing some of Durban’s most popular ethnic comedy shows. Now they are
spreading their wings and making a move into the realms of more serious work
with their latest offering – the provocative (albeit still very funny) drama For Better Or Worse.
Well – after attending the premier this evening, I can say
that the move has been a resounding success.
The play is insightful, poignant, evocative, clever and most
of all very well performed by Kumseela Naidoo, Verushka Odayen, and Madhu
Maharaj.
When three brothers go on a fishing trip together they
persuade their wives to spend the week-end together as an exercise in bonding. This
is a recipe for disaster as the three sisters-in-law are very diverse
characters. They have little in common when it comes to their views on the role
of an Indian woman in the home, marriage and the business world. They cannot
agree on how to balance their traditional responsibilities against the demands
of a modern fast moving world.
This leads to arguments and anger and, before too long, home
truths are told and secrets come out. By the end of the week-end their
relationships, friendships and even their marriages are threatened.
The last time I saw Kumseela Naidoo on stage was at The
Playhouse Loft Theatre when she played feminist and activist Dr Gonum in Ronnie
Govender’s Botoo. She delivered a
superb dramatic performance. In For
Better Or Worse, she shows her versatility playing a cowed and dissatisfied
woman. All her experience shows in a fine and skilled performance.
Verushka Odayen is excellent in the role of the fire cracker
younger woman with feet of clay. Her experience in stand-up comedy holds her in
good stead when she mimics the husbands laying down the law.
Madhu Maharaj can be very proud of her debut performance.
She plays the haughty sister-in-law with confidence and sensitivity.
Sivani Chinappan and Logesen Moodley provide three items of
dance during the production. They moved with mesmerising expression and dexterity.
However, I wondered if the production needed this distraction.
For Better Or Worse
is written and directed by Koobeshen Naidoo. On both counts he should be
congratulated. His script is perceptive and thoughtful and has an excellent
balance between drama and comedy while his direction gives a sense of reality
to the scene of three bickering woman.
For Better Or Worse
is an interesting and entertaining dramatic comedy production, which is well
worth seeing. It runs at the Catalina
Theatre at Wilson’s Wharf from May 2 to 18 with shows every Friday and Saturday
at 20h00 (Sundays at 18h00). Tickets R100 available from Computicket or call 031 837 5999
For more information e-mail: dingalingsproductions@gmail.com
– Keith Millar
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