A fantastic way to rediscover a classic while reflecting upon rhetorics about immigration and populism

It’s hard to tell how many times a timeless tale can be retold without losing its appeal and becoming predictable or dull. However, Tanika Gupta’s ambitious adaptation of the Dickensian chronicles of the British class convinced me that great stories can still be relevant today if they carry a message that resonates with current societal issues.

A timeless question often asked is whether it is nature or nurture that creates a gentleman. Can an orphan climb the social ladder? Do crime, guilt, and innocence play a role in our moral conscience, or does the institutional justice system always ensure…justice? Can ambition and self-improvement overcome all barriers in life? These were the questions present in the adaptation from the Royal Exchange Theater but with a major twist. The show takes place in Bengal in 1899, and our protagonist, Pipli, has to navigate issues that arise due to colonialism, partition, abandonment of personal cultural identity, and foreign invasion. The story is the same, but the period and location differ. It’s an intriguing premise, but does it blend well with the original story?

The short answer is yes… but by the end of it, I was left wanting more. Although the production creates a very atmospheric and credible world, there are some issues that I believe deserve deeper exploration (although the show was already almost three hours long). I was somewhat perplexed by how much attention was given to the protests and boycotts, as well as the partition between Muslim and Hindu citizens, in the second part of the show. While it was interesting to see an authentic perspective on these issues, it seemed like this addition did not directly impact the bildungsroman aspect of the story. 

Furthermore, as an immigrant, I can fully understand the idea that achieving social mobility is an uphill battle when you are up against people who have preconceived notions about your worth. However, if Pipli’s transformation was initiated by his rejection by Estella and Miss Havisham due to his race, how would education, money, attaining higher status, and accepting cultural norms help change that? Additionally, what are the implications of a person with dual ancestry being raised to deny their heritage, as in the case of Estella? These are things that I would have liked to see explored more deeply.

I was thoroughly impressed with the performances in the production. The actors did an excellent job, and the material they performed was outstanding. Esh Alladi, who played the protagonist, was exceptional, displaying impeccable comedic timing and great expressiveness. Catherine Russell’s portrayal of a laudanum addict Miss Havisham was raw, destroyed, and completely subjugated by the occupation and colonization. The rest of the cast also navigated the challenging space brilliantly, delivering long speeches and plot twists effectively, and rounding off the narrative in a convincing manner. Overall, it was a fantastic production that showcased exceptional acting and storytelling. It also presented a refreshing, non-white take on a story of self-discovery.

In today’s world, the topic of immigration and populism is prevalent, and there are questions surrounding what it means to be “truly” English. However, we should remember that history often repeats itself, and we can learn from the past to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. If we can learn through an intriguing classic that has been reinterpreted, then we should wholeheartedly embrace it.