Movement-based play to tackle gender identity and corporate bias, this weekend

Theatre actor, director, and trainer Ranji David believes that art and theatre play a significant role in sparking societal change. “The stage is not only a platform for entertainment but also a powerful platform for addressing social issues,” says Ranji. His directorial play, To Be or Not To Be, based on Shakespeare’s famed soliloquy from the play Hamlet is being staged this weekend. The play, he tells us, explores the lives of three characters in a metropolitan setting and highlights their struggles against the backdrop of traditional society with minimal dialogues and more focus on physical movement. Excerpts from a chat with the director:

‘I began to realize that sometimes less is more’

During my initial days of direction, my focus was heavily reliant on the spoken word. But over time, my approach towards directing a play has evolved. I began to realize that sometimes less is more. If you say less, but do more with the visuals, it can create a richer experience for the audience. When there’s no dialogue, and instead, there are movements, gestures, and metaphors, the audience can interpret those in many different ways, which I think adds depth to the experience.



‘By leaving it open-ended, I want the audience to connect with the story’

The acts in the play end at a point with no clear ending. This is an invitation to the audience to reflect on the characters’ journeys and decide for themselves what should happen next. I want them to think about how the story resonates with their experiences and societal issues, especially around identity and transformation. It is a space to form their conclusions and leave them with questions on how to deal with the complexities of life.

‘Theatre becomes a mirror to society’

When I hear stories of gender identity, corporate bias, family dynamics, sexual harassment, etc, I feel that they deserve to be explored on stage because these are societal issues that aren’t always given the attention they deserve in the theatrical space. Theatre, for me, is a space of transformation where one can examine such stories and challenges. When it is presented to a wide audience, they are compelled to think ‘What is happening in our society?’ Theatre becomes a mirror to society showcasing issues one might not always want to confront.