Tesseract is a seamless visual masterpiece, says Ricky Kej

I was among the fortunate who witnessed the groundbreaking production, Tesseract - The Geometry of Truth, presented by The Times of India, and I must confess that it left an indelible mark on my consciousness. Despite having performed in a concert the previous night in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, and flying in directly for the show, the sheer energy and spectacle of Tesseract was enough to dispel my exhaustion and keep me riveted throughout.

As I stepped into the transformed NCPA Theatre, I was struck by the sheer audacity of the production. A majestic tesseract suspended in mid-air, bathed in ethereal light, flanked by staircases and sets that seemed to defy gravity, raised expectations to dizzying heights. The show began with a poignant montage of The Times of India headlines, weaving a narrative thread through India’s tumultuous history. It was revelatory to see how the trajectory of this iconic daily mirrored the nation’s own journey, a testament to the brand’s enduring trust and synonymy with Indian news.

The tone shifted with a breathtaking dance sequence, choreographed with Shiamak Davar’s signature flair, which deftly captured the whirlwind of a news cycle. The spotlight then fell on Pia Sutaria and Megan Murray, the two leads, accomplished performers who anchored the show’s central theme of truth. Their synergy was palpable, and they deftly navigated the complex philosophical undercurrents, making the esoteric accessible without diluting its profundity.

The show’s strength lay in its masterful balance of the cerebral and the visceral. Dance sequences and popular song selections, including an energetic rendition of Michael Jackson’s They Don’t Really Care About Us, punctuated the narrative, rendering the themes relatable and urgent. One of the show’s most striking moments came during the performance on MJ’s Man in the Mirror, when dancers pointed mirrors at the audience, forcing us to confront our own reflections.

Tesseract’s technical achievements are nothing short of phenomenal. Every department, lighting, lasers, set design, props, sound mix, costumes, effects, projection, and visuals, came together in perfect harmony, creating a seamless visual masterpiece. The show’s audacity and innovation are a testament to the boundless potential of Indian theatre.

I have not witnessed any production that matches Tesseract’s grandeur and ambition. It deserves more than a limited run; it merits a permanent venue, a destination that would draw audiences from across the world. I fervently hope that it will tour the country, sparking conversations about the multifaceted nature of truth and the power of collective introspection. For in the words of the show itself, “Truth cannot have a single-line definition. Truth has to come from within all of us.”