Tragicomedy ‘August: Osage County’ staged

SD Sharma

Chandigarh, September 9

St Kabir Wings Theatre Academy, in association with Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi, presented an English play, August: Osage County, at Tagore Theatre here today. 

Written by American playwright Tracy Letts and directed by young Zubin Mehta, the tragicomedy play relived the dysfunctional dynamics ailing an American family after their academician and poet head Beverly Weston (69) leaves home for good without any notice. 

Weston’s three daughters — Barbara, Ivy and Karen, all aged above 40 — are left with no option but to live with their estranged mother, Violet, who suffers from acute depression and is addicted to painkillers. Even though elderly Violet admits her poor contribution to the care and welfare of the family, several acrimonious debates arising out of the recurring difference of opinion on various issues as well as sprouts of humour, brought to life by accomplished actors, kept the intrusive audience engaged. 

Young Devyani Mehra was at her best playing the old lady Violet as also Andrea Gosain, who essayed the role of Barbara to perfection. Surya Mittal, Samreen Chhabra, Kritika, Gursahiba Gill, Kriti Nayar, Kavya Atray, Zoravar, Prabhjeet, Bhavkaran and Kshitja Punia played their roles well.