Disaster theatre

>> Rahul Varma's Bhopal takes an inspirational spin on a terrible tragedy

by AMY BARRATT

Since everything nowadays, it seems, must be considered in relation to September 11, today's question is, "Can you get people to go to see socially relevant theatre now, or do they just want escapist entertainment?"

I actually think this is one area where things haven't changed substantially. If you were somebody who cared about social issues before, you would go to a play like Bhopal now; and if you weren't, you still won't.

Rahul Varma's latest play also raises the question: are theatre-goers willing or able to stretch their TV-enfeebled minds back to something that happened in 1984? I'll admit it's not easy. Everywhere we look in this world there is horror. If we have the luxury not to look, it's not surprising that we sometimes take advantage of that luxury.

That said, Bhopal is Mr. Varma's finest work to date, and one that is oddly, given its subject matter, inspiring. The central event in the play is the explosion that occurred at the Union Carbide India Limited chemical plant 17 years ago. A cloud of black gas covered the city, killing thousands and causing permanent blindness, lung damage and other chronic illnesses among the already desperately poor population.

If Varma's play had begun with the disaster, we would just have felt like rubberneckers at an accident. Instead, he begins by showing us life in the shadow of Union Carbide in the weeks leading up to the explosion. This allows him to explore the levels of corruption--among the American owners of the plant as well as Indian officials--that allowed it to happen. He also makes it clear that Union Carbide was killing the people of Bhopal long before the events of December 3, 1984. The black gas killed them faster and in a more dramatic way, but contaminants in the ground and drinking water were already causing miscarriages, birth defects, and deaths in Bhopal.

In his play, Varma points the finger of blame directly at globalization. Bhopal is a portrait of a developing country desperately trying to compete in the global market, and making dangerous compromises in order to do it. And it's about big corporations ignoring basic safety standards to cut costs and getting away with things in developing countries that they wouldn't dare try in their own backyards.

Once again, director Jack Langedijk has collaborated with Teesri Duniya to present a fluid, almost professional-level production. It's "almost" because in at least one case the acting is not up to professional quality, and that's

a shame. Sticking to your community roots shouldn't mean settling for less artistically. Nevertheless, the text has structure and rhythm and compelling characters who sweep you up into the human tragedy that was and is Bhopal.

In conjunction with the production, Teesri Duniya is hosting public forums and a workshop on issues associated with the play. This Sunday afternoon is a practical workshop for non-actors wishing to explore the use of theatre for social activism.

On Dec. 2, the eve of the 17th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster, speakers will address the ongoing health and environmental repercussions in Bhopal. On Dec. 9, it's A Public Dialogue on Globalization and Health, moderated by Ted Little. All activities take place in the MAI café at 4:30 p.m. :

Bhopal, until Dec. 9 at MAI; Tuesday-Saturday, 8pm; this Sunday, Nov. 25, 7:30pm; following two Sundays 3pm only; $12-15; 982-3386