Imphal, January 02 2008: Those who believe in true (undying) love, here is a word of caution.

For it can kill too.

Well, that's what When We Dead AwakenRatan Thiyam's adaptation of Henri Ibsen's last play was all about.

Based on the theme of love, it was staged at the recently concluded Delhi Ibsen Festival at Kamani.

As curtains rolled away, the centre stage is shown under dim lights and then the scene changes.

A couple, protagonists in the play, called Arnold Rubek, (celebrated sculptor) and Maia (his wife) now gets into an intense tussle over an issue while travelling.

Suspense builds!.

As the play proceeds taking twists and turns, Maia finds herself drawn towards Ulfheim, a brutal hunter who contrasts with her cold, withdrawn husband.

Rubek, on the other hand too encounters Irene, a beautiful woman from his past.

Moved by their awakening memories and desires, Ruben takes Irene to a mountaintop.

As both reach the summit, they get killed under an avalanche.

And from the valley below, one hears Maia sings exultantly.

The play very well addresses the fact that love, when extreme, can at times drive people to insanity.

'' While I was directing I could hear Ibsen reiterate his old proposition that life without love is death; through a picturesque and complicated maze of scenery.

Hence my characters only depict the madness love can bring out.

The situations add a certain degree of modernism'', said Thiyam.

Ibsen's work is defined as dark, humorous and deep.

It certainly wouldn't have been easy to direct one of the greatest plays?.

''Exactly'', said Thiyam, ''This is Ibsen's most dreamt about play.

Hence I had to make sure I use the right props.

Each and every scene has to be detailed with utmost understanding so that end product can shock and entertain the audiences in equal measures''.

Though there were English subtitles for better comprehension but it was never required as the rich imageries and apt music depicted the mood of the play throughout.

''Instances where the lady protagonist talks about how she turned pregnant and then about how she killed her children raises questions on modern existential issue.

Also, it explains another fact that Ibsen was much ahead of his time'', added Thiyam.

''Further, Music was an essential part of my play.

So while selecting I had to make sure that it should maintain the entire tempo of the play and actors as well'', the Internationally renowned theatre director said.

The director looked succeeded when filmmaker Shyam Benegal, after watching the show remarked, ''I've watched a number of Ibsen's performances all over the world and have been following the Delhi Ibsen Festival but Ratan Thiyam's version of this play is certainly the best I've seen till date''.

(Courtesy: The Pioneer) .

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