The English play One Small Step will have two actors performing all of 40 characters onstage to describe the space race between Soviet Union and the USA in the late 1950s
The English play One Small Step will have two actors performing all of 40 characters onstage to describe the space race between Soviet Union and the USA in the late 1950s
Back in 1969, the American aviator Neil Alden Armstrong became the first human being to land on moon. After spending a couple of hours there, he uttered, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Inspired by his words, British Council in collaboration with Evam from Chennai, a theatre entrepreneurship brings to town an English play One Small Step directed by British playwright Toby Hulse and written by David Hastings. 
The hour-long play promises to be an action packed experience depicting the adventure and passion of the Space Race, a competition between the Soviet Union and United States to establish their supremacy in the outer space.
Explaining that One Small Step has two actors playing around 40 characters, Robin Hemmings says, "The play is set in a nothing. My co-actor Oliver Hollis and I create space where we play various characters like an astronaut, politician and more. It is a fast and furious journey through the events that transpired in America and Russia between 1957 and 1969."
The play, which will be staged at Ranga Shankara this weekend, has already toured Syria, Australia, Singapore, Lebanon, Tunisia, Morocco, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Palestinian Territories, Egypt and Sri Lanka.
According to Hemmings, the script has been written after months of researching various documentaries and is inspired from real life characters.
The script that promises to bring out the perspectives of both United States and Soviet Union chronicles the ideology and technology that were involved to reach the moon, the unattainable object. Moreover, the play also assures that through body language and dialogues, each character retains its identity and expresses diverse perspective.
Sharing that it was a memorable experience to perform at Armstrong's college in Indiana, USA, Hemmings says, "The play shows that if united, mankind can achieve anything. It is a touching story that transcends the barriers of nationalities and countries as each of us has a relationship with the moon."
One Small Step, however, has not made many improvisations for its Indian audience. The play seems to be an attempt to bring out a balanced view on Armstrong's landing on the moon.
Pop numbers from the 50s and 60s are also used in the background to give the audience a feel of that particular era. Although the play seems to speak of the desire of two countries to reach the moon, it also tries to bring out the adventure and emotion attached to this aspiration.
At: Ranga Shankara, jp nagar
On: November 27, 3.30 and 7.30 pm November 28, 11.00 a.m., 3.30 pm. and 7.30 pm
Call: 99727 10911/98406 12333
For: Rs 200
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