Theatre Review: To kill a mockingbird, at Regents Park

I have wanted to see a play in the open-air theatre in Regents Park since 2006 but somehow had never managed to find tickets earlier. And so, when I was able to get last minute tickets from a colleague in office to see, 'To kill a mockingbird', at the Park, it was almost like a dream come true. And to be honest, the experience was all I had always imagined it to be.. and more..!

First about the setting: the play is staged in the middle of Regents Park, in Queen Mary's Gardens. The path leading to the theatre builds up to the experience; walking through beautifully landscaped gardens, moving along the green path laced with colourful flowers on both sides. It sets the mood for a warm and fresh evening, close to nature.

And then you come to the theatre, its done up so beautifully, its almost feels christmasy. Cafes and coffee stalls everywhere, decorated with lights and surrounded by a green background. And then when you enter the theatre, its also in the open. Laid out in a semi-circle with the stage in the center. And just behind the stage are the green trees. And as you look up, its the open blue sky with the sun setting on the horizon. How much better can watching the theatre get?

When I saw the play, the weather played truant though. It was raining during the first half an hour and the play had to be stopped once. And when the rains went away, to make it worse, the temperature fell. With wet seats under you and temperatures around 4 degrees, it wasn't the most comfortable place we were in!

But the funny part is, I don't remember any of this at all. The play and the whole experience made up for all these minor distractions. Imagine how it would be when its sunny and 23 degrees?:)

I would say, the play 'To kill a mockingbird' was one of the best I have ever seen. It was acted so superbly, the story was so beautiful and the whole setting complemented it perfectly. I was so engrossed in the play that I did not even mind the cold or the rain even.

For one, the book is so well written, so crisp, so warm and so heart touching, I don't think I need to say much to prove that. And the production of the play ably supported this heart-rendering story. The stage has a tree in the middle of the stage, with a tyre hung from it and Scott Finch, the 8 year old 'heroine' of the book swinging on it. The play (as in the book) is told from the eyes of Scott and parts of the play are read by the cast members from different locations in the audience or the stage.

The street where Scott lives is brought to life in a creative way, using chalk. The outlines of their house, their neighbours houses and the street all come to life all of a sudden. And in the background, music is played to portray the American South of the 1930s. It lends a warm South feeling to the setting and the setting sun adds to the magical effect of the play to follow.

And then the play takes over.

The story makes your eyes moist, you become so involved in what happens in this American town in the South (and I think the natural setting of the Park also adds onto it). What will happen to this black man convicted for a crime against a white woman. Even as he is proved to not have committed the crime, what will happen to him? And even though I had read the book, I had been hoping for a different result.

And that is the attraction value of the play, it gets you involved in the lives of its people. You feel for them and you feel with them. What else could have got a pin drop silence in a huge theatre in the open with rain and cold making it difficult to even sit still!

Other than the story, the acting was what made the play memorable. Scott Finch, is well played as a tom-boy 8-year old. She sounds just like a stubborn little girl with a mind of her own. And Atticus Finch brings out the sensibilities, the wisdom and torment of an old man, and of a lawyer trying to bring about a change.

The rest of the cast play their roles well too. Scott's brother, 12 year old Jem's teenage acts; the neighbour's dreamy eyed boy Dill; the helpful neighbours Miss Maude and the old neighbour Mrs Dubose; the evil Bob Ewell; the vulnerable Mayella Ewell; the scared Tom Robinson.. and so on... The list is long and each character is memorable. You react to each of these characters, supporting the one who support Tom and despising the ones who don't. Everything and everyone just fits in it all together.

As I said, I just loved the play and everything about it. Would go for 4.5 stars for this. And now have booked another play in the same setting, 'Pride and Prejudice'. I think I love it already!