Theatre buffs of the Capital got to see Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge as A-level students of Rato Bangala School staged the show at St Xavier’s College from August 11-13. Directed by Eelum Dixit, the cast was divided into two groups — the first named tero, and the second tauko.

With the auditorium full, the audience were anxious to see Aangan Tedo’s production starring amateur students, taking on Miller’s controversial tragedy set in the late 20th Century Brooklyn, New York.

The play started with a lawyer, entering while others scurry away, who narrates the tale of Eddie Carbone’s tragic alienation and finally, self destruction. Carbone is a longshoreman, who lives with his wife Beatrice and orphaned niece Catherine. The plot thickens when Beatrice’s two Italian cousins — Marco and Rudolpho — enter the country illegally and take refuge in their little home in the borough of Brooklyn.

Young Rudolpho, with his good looks and wit manages to sweep Catherine off her feet, which doesn’t go well with Carbone. He voices his passion and jealousy secretively as “concerns” for Catherine’s well being. He tries numerous times to convince Catherine to stay away from Rudolpho saying “he isn’t right” (where he is trying to imply Rudolpho is homosexual) and that his wish to marry her is derived purely from selfish reasons — gaining an American citizenship. His intense feelings for his niece lead to his destruction as he is driven to snitch on Marco and Rudolpho, which loses him his respect from the neighbourhood and, ultimately, his life at the hands of Marco in an all-out fight.

The production paid much attention to the details with appropriate sound effects along with lighting, and the what’s remarkable was that the students did it themselves, right down to the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge backcloth. Every inch of the stage marked their dedication to not only the acting and the lines, but, the play as a whole (Rudolpho even dyed his hair blonde). Also, the make up, hairstyle and wardrobe brought out the true essence of the characters — the balding Carbone, Beatrice with her hair in a tight bun, Catherine’s flirty skirts, Alfieri’s business suit and briefcase, and Marco’s side locks.

The characters had plenty of stage presence for amateurs working in a school play. The timing of the entry and exit was done extremely well. Although done by teenagers, the audience could definitely feel the intensity and conviction of their characters. The thick Italian accents of Marco and Rudolpho were quite convincing, while the fight scenes kept the audience members on the edge of their seats.

The play was a success. Succinct yet articulate, the play progressed fluidly as the narrator came in and out while he recounted the events. To take on a play with such heavy issues was a great challenge for the director Dixit, who was working with nearly all first timers, but a challenge which he and his team rose to and did justice to indeed.

For these efforts I say, Bravo to Rato Bangala, bravo Aangan Tedo and bravo to the whole team for recreating so effectively the heart-rending play.