Behind the Beautiful Forevers Live Screening at The Grove Review
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
Grove Theatre, Dunstable
12 March 2015
Reviewed by Sandra Mcghee
I was honoured and delighted I went to the see Behind the Beautiful Forevers at my local theatre, The Grove in Dunstable, last night on behalf of What’s Good To Do. It was being screened live from the national Theatre.
As always I had a very warm welcome upon collecting my tickets and was directed to my seats very smoothly and swiftly. My seats were situated in my favourite rear stalls A17 & 18, love those seats very central and such a great view of the stage. I quite often book these seats for shows I book personally. I was quite surprised the audience wasn’t as full as I expected but still a good mix of couples and also noticed groups of ladies having a girly night out who came out on a Thursday evening who were obviously intrigued just like myself to watch Behind the Beautiful Forevers.
I wouldn’t have known anything about this play but was very fortunate to have watched and reviewed Treasure Island on behalf of What’s Good To Do, which was another live screening from the National Theatre. As soon as a trailer came up I thought, I like the look of this, especially the storyline. I was even more interested too considering one of my best friends relocated to India with her husband and family a couple of years back so was even more intrigued in current affairs in India. Also I work for a big global financial company and we have outsourced a lot of technical staff to India in Mumbai who I have daily contact with and I have dealt with hundreds of Indian visas to the UK (a sign they want to come to UK for a better life) on behalf of the Partner I support who has also travelled to India on a few occasions to meet and greet locals etc… I felt it would be nice to have a little insight into the current life experience in India in the 21st Century.
The performance was screened live from the National Theatre in London as well as lots of cinemas all throughout the UK (not sure how many). This was the second live screening for me, so I wasn’t in complete shock when I noticed there were no live performers on the stage at the Grove. However, as before this made no difference whatsoever as I felt like I was instantly in the audience at the National Theatre as the quality of the live video link was 100%, no faults or technical problems whatsoever, you really noticed no difference. The best thing is you were witnessing a live fantastic top-class play in London, but at your local theatre without the added stress of travelling. I’m certainly liking the live screenings, firstly, no travel costs and as just stated no time travelling and to witness a play in London at your local theatre, it’s priceless, worth every penny in my eyes anyway. I certainly wouldn’t hesitate buying tickets for any show which has a live screening link to your local theatre in the future and would highly recommend. It would be great if this was a new thing for some of the top London shows too as not all families can afford the added travel on top of London price tickets.
The play was based on Katherine Boo’s uncompromising book (who spent three years in Annawadi recording the lives of its residents). Katherine so deservedly was a winner of the National Book Award for Non-Fiction 2012. The following is a brief summary of the storyline:
India is surging with global ambition. But beyond the luxury hotels surrounding Mumbai airport lies a makeshift slum, full of people with plans of their own. Zehrunisa and her son Abdul aim to recycle enough rubbish to fund a proper house. Sunil, twelve and stunted, wants to eat until he’s as tall as Kalu the thief. Asha seeks to steal government anti-poverty funds to turn herself into a ‘first-class person’, while her daughter Manju intends to become the slum’s first female graduate. But their schemes are fragile; global recession threatens the garbage trade, and another slum-dweller is about to make an accusation that will destroy herself and shatter the neighbourhood.
The play was most magnificently performed by Meera Syal (The Kumars, Goodness Gracious Me) who played her part absolutely wonderfully, so convincing in every scene and word spoken! The play was directed by Rufus Norris who we had the very fortunate opportunity of being interviewed after the first half of the play, this was another great added bonus feature, hearing how the play was put together etc…
Yes the play contains strong language and some scenes of violence. Suitable for 14 years+ – however I took my 10 year old daughter with me to watch as she was with me when we saw the trailer and said she liked the look of it. I was fine as the experience of her watching this play over the foul language means so much more. The whole story has a powerful meaning revolving around money, luck, a real eye opener, she loved it like I did too and hope the storyline will have some significance on her outlook in everyday life, even if it’s just the throwing rubbish away. The play leaves you actually deeply affected, really makes you think how lucky we are. For my daughter her best friend Savarna has relocated to India, if nothing else she learnt this isn’t the life she is living, as she is fortunate, but for many families this is not the case. I do not regret taking my 10 year old to see this, it was fascinating storyline primarily based on rubbish recycling! Gosh those families rely on us not putting our rubbish in the bins!
It was a horrible but brilliant and heart-breaking story, but a true window into the lives of India’s poorest! You must, if you get the chance, read the book, or watch the play. Definitely an insight into the slums of Mumbai. A great big pat on the back for every single performer in this play, you were all a delight to watch from the acting, dancing, it was really one play I will never forget! I almost forgot the stage scenes were fabulous from the airport, to motorbike, hospital and prison, absolutely spot on!
Highly recommend. Either watch the play or read the book! Makes you realise how lucky you are, as this is true life!
Rating: 5/5 
For more information about shows and live screenings at the Grove Theatre visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk.
Grove Theatre, Grove Park, Court Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4GP | 01582 602080
