The Hindu legend of Ramayana is one of India's oldest and greatest love stories  a tale of passion, jealousy and love lost and found. Attempts to re-invent and stage such an epic tale is courageous; the director of this production, David Farr, approaches the challenge with imagination and perspicuity.
      Against the backdrop of Ti Green's wonderful bamboo forest set we are presented, however, with a play that does not match up to the elegant intricacies of the tale itself. Banished by his evil stepmother from the kingdom of Ayodhya, heir to the throne Rama is forced into exile in the wilderness of Dandakaranya. Out of adoration for her husband Rama, the beautiful Sita and Rama's brother Lakshman also renounce all worldly luxuries to join him in his exile. Worst is yet to come: from the depths of the woods Sita is abducted by the evil King of Lanka, Ravana, and is confined in isolation in his palace. Aided by a band of monkeys, Rama finally manages to defeat his rival and rescue his lover, only to become overwhelmed by jealousy, which makes him hurl insults at her until her virtue is proved in a trial by fire.
      David Farr tries hard to create an energetic, dynamic and physical play. Scenes of kung-fu fighting, walking on water and swinging through trees are visually very impressive. Yet for all this, the clowning monkeys (with their strong Northern English accents and comments like "oh bugger it"), the cross-dressing gods and the crass jokes make for a disappointing reduction of a beautiful legend. Most of the attempts at humour were met with silence from the audience, who didn't know whether to laugh at or with the actors. The cast members are themselves confused about what they are trying to achieve Paul Sharma, as Rama, seems torn between parody and sincerity; and Vanessa Ackerman lacks any true conviction in the role of Sita. Parents are advised that children under twelve should not see this production, but the irony is, it is in every sense a classic pantomime and is most suitable for that age group. And if it weren't for the powerful score by Mumbai-born Shri, an audience of adults might well fall asleep.
Florence Mackenzie