Have for a long time loved viewing the live cinema streamings of the National Theatre Live series. So many gems in the series and very few misses, and what strikes me about watching these productions are how they are made available so accessibly while making one feel like they are there. Am always up for seeing something different to Shakespeare and other theatre standards and 'Dara' is as different as one can get. And that is not meant in any way whatsoever. It won't be one of my favourites anytime soon, but the emotional power it has is undeniable.
The same can be said for this very, very good and actually nearly wonderful production (with many components being executed absolutely exquisitely), what a way to introduce me to something completely new to me and manage to make it accessible, engaging and emotionally investable. Not to mention how exceptionally well performed it is. It isn't perfect, but actually the very, very few not so great things are not that major. Not when so much is so good.
Starting with the not so great things, the production can feel a bit fragmented at times, even in the shorter scenes.
Did think also that some of the multi-rolling was confusing initially, but part of that is down to lack of familiarity with the play.
On the other hand, the production looks gorgeous. Marble staircases and latticework for examples have never looked this opulent on stage in a long time. The lighting is very atmospheric and dynamic. The staging is hugely compelling and intelligent throughout, especially the searing and mind blowingly theatrical ending. The character interaction is so blistering in passionate intensity and complex emotion in the lengthy Act 1 finale that it stops the scene from feeling dragged out, which it could have done in lesser hands.
Furthermore, the music is hauntingly beautiful and sets the mood perfectly, as well as very authentic to the setting. It's performed beautifully and often hair-raisingly too. Can't fault the thoughtful dialogue and also cannot fault the uniformly superb acting. Zubin Varla and Sargon Yelda being mesmerising.
In conclusion, highly recommended. 8/10.
