Kinley Tshering

The opening night of Bhutan Echoes: Drukyul Literature and Arts Festival, hosted by the Indian embassy in the evening of August 2, presented a compelling piece of theatre – the avant-garde play ‘Shape Shifters’.

Written and directed by Charmi Chheda, this 30-minute long experimental play deftly combines theatre of the absurd and elements of clowning. The play explores a range of themes –  identity, relationship, and mortality.

Brilliantly performed by Charmi Chheda herself and the versatile Kunga T Dorji, aka Supe, ‘Shape Shifters’ unfolds over three acts – each a vignette exploring different aspects of human experience.

The mise-en-scene of the stage is minimalist, with a white raised platform in the middle and a water-rippling light effect – which serves as both a literal and metaphorical space where the characters transition between realities. The play also examines fluidity of identity and the porous boundaries between fiction and reality.

The first act reimagines the classic tale of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ with Charmi Chheda as a cunning Red Riding Hood and Kunga T Dorji as the duped Wolf. This twisted rendition is an absolute modification of the traditional narrative, and manages to throw a spotlight on toxic relationships and the inherent power dynamics. How Red Riding Hood successfully manipulates the highly gullible Wolf adds a dark element of psychological thriller to the absurdist premise of the play.

The second act focuses on the theme of vanity and the changing standards of beauty. A 50-year-old woman is forced by her friends, at least that’s what she claims, to consult a cosmetic surgeon. This segment is a critique of modern obsession with beauty and the insidious influence of the cosmetic and beauty industry.  The two actors deftly portray the absurdity and tragedy of chasing an unattainable goal. This vignette is a subtle assault on how societal standards and norms warp individual identity.

The final act is a poignant meditation on death, featuring two clowns, Kado and Dodo. In a tragic-comic twist, Kado must foretell Dodo’s impending death. The act skillfully mixes humor and human anguish, especially when faced with the inevitability of death.

Ultimately, Dodo’s failure to distinguish the fictional world from the real, which leads to his tragic end – the culmination of the narrative arc of the play – is deeply haunting yet profound at the same time.

‘Shape Shifters’ is a multi-layered and richly textured work of theatre. The synergy between Charmi Chheda and  Kunga T Dorji is electrifying. Their brilliant performance and on-stage chemistry make the play so much more enjoyable.