A Girl

A young Indian woman marries, enjoys her life as part of a loving couple, until there is pressure from her mother-in-law, and then her husband, to conform to the expectations of the ‘family’. It’s a shocking story – in part because it’s inspired by events happening right now – told in a series of vignettes. Three generations of women show how the patriarchal culture is still ingrained, and how short-sighted it is not to realise its inevitable outcomes.

There are excellent performances all round – particularly from Helen Capasso as the domineering mother-in-law and CeeJay Singh as the husband, but it’s Dhruvi Patel, as the daughter, who brilliantly drives the narrative from a dream come true to a living nightmare.

Director Rek Kieron maintains the women’s perspective throughout and doesn’t look away from their complicity. The approach of using short scenes to progress the story quickly, but having long scene changes in between, means the pace can stutter. This allows some of the tension to be released, but the story is so powerful that it sustains to the end.

It’s also an accessible introduction to aspects of the Indian culture, values, and the importance of spirituality (Durga’s dance is particularly impressive) – but it’s clear that the awful aspects of this story are not unique to that culture or country.

This is one of three shows brought to this year’s Adelaide Fringe by CJ Productions and their brand of multicultural comedy and drama is precisely what is needed. This is a story that needs to be told.

Review by Mark Wickett

To check out our round-up of Adelaide Fringe reviews, click here.