American Center Kolkata hosts 'Fefu and Her Friends'

Directed by Ananda Lal, the play, which deals with the  interactions of eight female friends over one day, was presented by the students of the Department of English.

In her welcome remarks, American Center Director Joanne (JJ) Joria said, “This will be an unique experience for both the actors and the audience, - where a remarkable piece of theater offers today’s young women and men some tools for fighting gender inequality, breaking old gender myths and redefining them for a new generation.”

The play  is deeply surreal, almost consciously suggesting that realism and linear plotting are superficial and patriarchal, whereas feminism looks within, explores the psyche and moves in circular time.

Fefu shows women as oppressed by male perceptions, but freed when with other women: they talk openly, they let go, they nurture friendship, they enjoy each other's company, and the only hopeful relationships are lesbian or platonic.

It is overtly about their dreams and hallucinations, the energy of their minds, and exhorts women to affirm life through education and environment, and recognizing their oneness with nature, the life-giving mother.

Commenting on Thursday's play, the director Ananda Lal  said: "The response has been very good, Everyone loved the performance. The actors also performed well and all appreciated the work."

He said theatre gives people an opportunity to think on an issue.

"Theatre gives you the chance to think. It is a medium which gives people more chances to experiment," he said.