Musing about 'Michelangelo'

Stage performance

The Script Peoples Theatre under the aegis of TIE or Theatre In Education department of the Christ University presented their home production Michael Angel Oh! in the City recently. Friends and family of the actors and crew members turned up in large numbers to support their loved ones.

A huge production, Michael Angel Oh! was brought together primarily by four names – Mohammed Arif, Geetha Kudtharkar, Rajesh PI and Umesh PN, of the Script Peoples Theatre. Shibu Vaz of Christ University co-ordinated the whole programme.

The plot, as the name suggests, revolves around Michelangelo and his muse. The painter creates God on canvas using as muse a little boy whom he purchases for 30 pieces of silver only to discard him once the boy grows up and discovers ‘greed’. The boy grows up into Judas who desires to kill Jesus aka Michelangelo.

 Michelangelo is running away from Judas, stumbles into a town square and tells his story to the townspeople. The playwright, Umesh tells this tale along non-linear timelines, going back and forth attempting to keep the audiences guessing.

The plot has more loopholes in it than there are potholes in EG Pura. Many questions remain unanswered leaving the audience completely confused.

The background score was mostly tolerable. The sound provided by acoustic control was good. The choir and song selection could have been better, but had its moment. The young boy, who lent his voice for little boy chosen by Michelangelo as his muse, was very good and singularly the best part of the production.

Lights for most part was good. The sets were well-crafted. The costumes were slightly anachronic but didn’t break the mood. The cast with the exception of the young Judas hammed their way through the end and maintained a sing-song speech pattern. People of all ages pursuing their studies were part of the production. As father principal pointed out kids who were in their LKG were joined on stage by those pursuing their doctoral studies.