Theatre review: When power dictates the verdict

Shilpee Theatre hosted the premiere of Pabitra Khadka’s play ‘Miss Menuka: Ek Sambhedanshil Younkarmi’ on July 29. This adaptation of Jean-Paul Sartre’s ‘La Putain Respectueuse’ delves into potent themes of power, politics, sexuality, society, and communal violence, issues that resonate deeply within Nepal's current social landscape.

Sarita Giri delivers a convincing performance as Menuka, the prostitute at the center of the story. Her portrayal balances playfulness and seriousness, earning both laughter and contemplation from the audience. Opposite her, Yuvraj Ghimire embodies the detestable character of Bibek Jung Sharma, a man consumed by power, prejudice, and racism. Ghimire’s performance is so effective that the audience is compelled to hate the character he portrays.

The play's central conflict arises when Menuka becomes entangled in a legal case involving a Dalit Madhesi man and the son of a powerful Member of Parliament. The life of the innocent Dalit man hangs in the balance, and Menuka's decision to do the right thing is tested against the pressure exerted by those in power. Rupesh Mandal effectively portrays Arbind Paswan, the downtrodden and fearful Dalit man whose fate is intertwined with Menuka's choice, capturing the vulnerability of a man failed by his society.

Prabhakar Dev Sharma also contributes as the sophist politician Jagannath Sharma, who questions the nature of truth. The stage design, focusing on Menuka’s bedroom, is visually appealing, and the lighting effectively sets the mood, though the music is less impactful. The play's premiere occurred amidst heavy monsoon rain, adding a dramatic auditory layer to the performance.

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There is your truth, that is undeniable. But then there is the truth that is helpful to the nation. Are those truths the same?