Vikram Iyengar’s creative ‘crossings’

After successful shows in Kolkata, Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka and UK, and having bagged six awards for its theatrical excellence, the play Crossings was staged in Mumbai for the first time last Sunday.

Directed by Vikram Iyengar, this long play delves into the psyche of Lady Macbeth through dialogues, dance movements, musical text and symbolic rhythm.

Iyengar has used the fine nuances of Indian classical dance to portray the character of Lady Macbeth — bringing out best the tragedy of her life. The confluence of Indian dance and text-based drama draws a connection with the Indian context and adds the streak of originality to the piece.

Both Shakespeare and classical dance use strong spells of poetry and metaphors to roll out the drama. “When I read Lady Macbeth, I couldn’t help but draw references to Shakti and Putana — figures from

Indian mythology,” says Iyengar, who has been fascinated by the character of Lady Macbeth ever since he first read it in his school days.

“We have externalised the mental conflicts that she goes through, and personified the same using four female characters,” explains Iyengar. “These are the pros and cons that Lady Macbeth, like any other person, goes through in life before making a decision. Hence the four female actors speak the four contradicting voices of her mind,” he adds.