The Bhopalites witnessed the racially tense period of American history through the eyes of a prostitute in a play ‘A Respectful Prostitute’. The play was staged in Hindi language at Ravindra Bhawan Auditorium here on Thursday.
Originally written by Jean Paul Sartre, ‘A Respectful Prostitute’ is a French play which observes a woman prostitute, caught up racial riots of America. Directed by a young theater artiste of the city Himmat Kamla Goswami, the play was splendidly performed by the artists of Dost and Wings Theatre Groups, Bhopal.
It is an incredible psychological play that raises questions that have never been answered and will never be. What happens to the protagonist of the play lizzie Mackay can happen to any woman who is vulnerable enough to believe that times have changedIJ
The play is set in America, 1947, a period when the white man openly shows his hatred for the ‘nigger’. The play unfolds when lizzie Mackay realizes that in racially discriminating times, it is in her hands to save the nigger, and her decision will probably save him from being lynched. lizzie has a desire to ‘belong’ somewhere, and nothing will deter her from it, even if she is a prostitute.
Cleverly manipulated by the Senator, lizzie unknowingly signs a document, which states that the Negro is guilty of a crime he never committed. Reeta Kankar Tiwari as lizzie Mackay has given a fantastic performance. You don’t view her as the prostitute, but as lizzie, who will stand up for the truth.
The audience relates very well to their scenes because of the way they are portrayed. Not much experimentation has been done with the sets. They have been kept simple, with just a sofa set, a lamp, a table and a chair and a dressing table. Alok Chhatterjee as the senator carried his character very well. As for the director Goswami has done a commendable job.
Goswami told The Pioneer, “When I read the script when I was a student at MPSD then I decided to do this play. The play is very contemporary that would connect today’s audience with the happening scenario. This is my first play with a big cast.”