The play, produced by the Toronto-based Why Not Theatre in affiliation with the Barbican of London, could have its opening efficiency on the six-decade previous Shaw Competition on the scenic township of Niagara-on-the-Lake on Thursday, after a collection of preview performances.

The epic retelling is directed by Toronto-based Ravi Jain, who additionally wrote and tailored it with Miriam Fernandes. Given its complexity, the efficiency is split into two sections: Karma and Dharma. Taken collectively, they take practically 5 hours of stage time.

The pandemic forged a shadow over the manufacturing, delaying its premiere but in addition made the story extra related to the present scenario. As Jain identified, “Dharma is about these with essentially the most privilege, of their accountability to handle these with the least.” Because the world recovers from Covid-19, the play additionally focuses on addressing “inequities in society”, Jain stated.

The up to date adaptation includes bringing collectively classical dance types such a Odissi and Kathakali, with opera, and trendy media like tv projections. The “massive query”, he stated, “the way to take this historic story and make it up to date for contemporary viewers.”

Whereas the mechanics of the efficiency itself is a part of the fashionable retelling, it encompasses a various caste from the diaspora, together with not simply Indo-Canadians however with these with roots in Pakistan, Malaysia, and Mauritius. Additionally they lower throughout spiritual traces and generations. It additionally brings in gender fluidity. “We problem the concepts of gender and unlock one thing fairly thrilling,” he stated. With non-binary and feminine actors enacting male roles, corresponding to these of Arjun or Karna, amongst others, “we simply don’t essentially observe the standard means you’d see these individuals”, Jain stated.

Previews for the spectacle, which is able to transfer to London after Canada, have been operating since February 28 and drawn beneficial response. The nationwide each day, Globe and Mail, famous that like variations earlier than, this “interpretation” of the Mahabharata “continues to show it has one thing for everybody – it’s just too grand to not”.

Amongst those that attended a preview was Mississauga-based cultural patron Atul Tolia, who stated,” It was great.” Among the many highlights for him was the dwell music carried out on stage, accompanying the dance, and the operatic rendering of the Bhagavad Gita. “That blew me away,” he stated.

Jain stated, “We’ve actually tried to be very cautious with the fabric and handled this in a means that’s respectful and balanced it with the altering values which have occurred over time.”

He’s elated that its premiering on the Shaw Competition, which began in 1962 to honour Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, and is a Canadian cultural establishment now.