Subin Bhattarai’s ‘Summer Love’ brings a popular Nepali romance to the stage

The stage adaptation of Subin Bhattarai's "Summer Love" opens with a masterclass in nostalgia, immersing the audience in the story's atmosphere through smoke and a soft harmonica. Director Samrat Bhujel's production remains remarkably faithful to the novel, lifting lines with such precision that familiar dialogue often anticipates the audience. Atit's monologues, in particular, benefit from this close adherence, offering a satisfying experience of hearing private readings spoken aloud.

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The opening scene of ‘Summer Love’ is a masterclass of nostalgia. For a few minutes, the stage feels like a memory.

The play makes sensible choices about what to cut, prioritizing the major beats of Atit and Saya's relationship over every subplot to fit the two-hour format. The most convincing moments arise when the characters are simply together, their scenes of teasing and gradual attachment imbued with a warmth that the rest of the play struggles to replicate. Bashana Timalsina, as Saya, is particularly effective, her relative restraint bringing a much-needed sense of life and elusiveness to the character.

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Lines have been lifted with such precision that readers will sometimes find themselves anticipating the dialogue.

However, the production falters in other areas. Sagar Khanal, as Atit, often seems to be performing the character rather than inhabiting him, with his emotions sometimes feeling exaggerated. While his scenes with Saya offer an exception, where their chemistry shines through subtle interactions, his performance elsewhere can feel like he's waiting for audience recognition. The supporting cast also struggles, with characters like Kiran and Pratikshya feeling more like stock figures than integral parts of the story, their presence lacking the depth to make their absence impactful.

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Atit and Saya are most convincing when they are simply together.