Theatre review: A world beyond the obvious in ‘Guliyo Shyau’

A children's play in Nepal, 'Guliyo Shyau' or 'A Sweet Apple,' invites its preschool audience to rethink the obvious. The production, by Kedar Shrestha, centers on a character played by Manish Byanju who paints a leaf brown, the sun red, and an apple green, much to the initial dismay of the children in attendance.

“

Old leaf, brown leaf.

The play challenges conventional thinking by presenting a character who deviates from expected norms. When Byanju's mother, portrayed by Elina Nakarmi, intervenes to correct his unconventional color choices, he stands firm. He explains his reasoning: the sun is red because it's morning, the apple is green because it's unripe, and the sky is black because it's night. His arguments, supported at times by his sister, played by Sanjita Parajuli, gradually sway the audience's initial reactions.

“

My son is not smart.

The core message emerges as Byanju's character defends his choices, asserting that his way of doing things doesn't equate to a lack of intelligence. The play culminates with his mother realizing that a green apple can also be sweet, just like a red one. 'Guliyo Shyau' ultimately encourages young viewers to embrace individuality and the validity of their own perspectives, even when they challenge established norms.

“

Red apple, sweet apple. Green apple, sweet apple.