Directed by Indhu Rubasingham, the world premiere of Anupama Chandrasekhar‘s When the Crows Visit is at Kiln Theatre from 29 October, with previews from 23 October, until 30 November.
…and all the sins of his father and his forefathers came out of his body, through the pores of his skin, in the form of crows.
Inspired by true events in modern-day India, Anupama Chandrasekhar explores the themes of Ibsen’s Ghosts and the cyclical nature of oppression in a dark and thrilling world première.
A son returns home accused of a violent crime. A mother is forced to confront the ghosts of her past when the crows visit.
The Artiscape spoke with Aryana Ramkhalawon about her role as Ragini in the play.
Her theatre credits include The Funeral Director (Southwark Playhouse and UK tour), The Tempest, Swallows and Amazons, Much Ado About Nothing (Storyhouse/Grosvenor Park Rep Company), The Secret Seven (Storyhouse), Hijabi Monologues (Bush theatre), Devika, Ode to Leeds (West Yorkshire playhouse) and Glasgow Girls (National Theatre of Scotland UK tour). Her television work includes Waterloo Road, Drama Matters: Lawless, Crime Stories, Bollywood Carmen and Jamillah and Aladdin.
What attracted Aryana to the script?
Aryana: What really gripped me about the script was the element of danger. It’s a modern day thriller set in India where the protagonist Akshay on returning to his family home run by his mother and grandmother gets drawn into an investigation of a violent crime against a girl in Mumbai.
The piece blurs the line of reality and ancestral forces at play and surrounds the story with crows. Which in Tamil culture are are seen as sacred and to feed them is to feed the loved ones who have passed away. The witty script blends the serious nature with some really funny moments.
How, as an actor does she prepare for this role? How does she research it?
Aryana: We have been super lucky to have the writer Anupama in the rehearsal room who is from Chennai and has really helped with research. Watching clips and documentaries about women in India.and the expectation and judgements of being female or of a lower caste have been really helpful too.
What about the character she plays?
Aryana: Ragini is Jaya’s the grandmothers live in carer. She is Super chatty , strong minded and not afraid to have her point heard, she would definitely see herself as a modern day feminist.
What are the challenges in playing this character?
Aryana: A challenge has been understanding and portraying Ragini’s status she is of a lower caste and was sent to work when she was 13. She has lived her life always been seen as less than others.
What will the audience take away this production?
Aryana: I hope the audience will enjoy the lighthearted moments and also take away the complex ingrained mentality that exist about how women should be seen and act and the blame culture that seems to accuse victims of bringing it on themselves.
A moment that stuck with me In rehearsals was when we were discussing public transport in India and that if you are female and take them you would just expect to be touched up by men on your journey and that you shouldn’t make a fuss as that would create even more trouble.
It really hit home how it must feel to constantly modify what you do and where you go in order to feel safe and that it was your fault or your responsibility if something did happen . Gang rape culture and violent crimes put the girl at fault . Should she have been there at that time of night? What was she wearing? Anupama’s play beautifully highlights where this way of thinking comes from.
To book visit the Kiln Website.
