Phantasmagoria
by Deepika Arwind
Coventry 5-7 October │ Newcastle 10-12 October │ London 1-25 November 2023
Four people come together in a house in a forest for a political debate which will feature two of them as adversaries.
Mehrosh is a celebrated activist, made terrified from constant death threats. This debate is a chance to make her voice heard. Bina is her opponent – a smart, sophisticated politician from the ruling party who appears zealous in her beliefs. Jai is the journalist and appears to be a friend to both. Scherezade is Bina’s PA but is not quite who she seems. Is anyone?
Jai has promised a safe and private meeting place but trolls spread the location via social media and people are arriving uninvited. Mehrosh fears she could be assassinated.
Fearful of the coming conflict, surrounded by eerie shadows and mysterious noises, and increasingly uncertain of what she is told, Mehrosh starts to struggle with a growing paranoia that the people around her are not what they seem.
Phantasmagoria pits the terror of speaking out against the fear of staying quiet in order to warn us about the dangers of extreme populism, unbridled social media and how fear can be manufactured and manipulated with chilling consequences…
The company is raising money to support the incredible work that Medicins sans Frontiers (Doctors without Borders) is doing to provide medical assistance in areas of conflict, including in Gaza. If you would like to make a donation you can find the MSF donation page here: https://www.msf.org/donate
‘With gripping writing and powerful performances, Deepika Arwind’s intense and eerie political drama lays bare the fear and division of contemporary politics, whilst delivering a message that is universally relevant’
Everything Theatre ****
‘brutal view of a corrupt political landscape… delivered successfully by a brilliant quartet and supported by some of the best lighting choices out there’
Reviews Hub ****
‘An unsettling look at how a difference in political stance can impact someone’s life… Phantasmogoria presents strong characters and mines genuine terror’
All That Dazzles ****
‘enthralls the audience thanks to its insightful approach and exceptional cast playing their roles with flare, mutual rapport and alluring magnetism’
First Night Magazine ****
‘Chillingly topical and eerie fable about power and its misuse’
The Stage ***
‘another essential drama from Kali Theatre with a first-rate cast’
Fringe Review UK HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Writer Deepika Arwind
Deepika Arwind is an international playwright and theatre-maker originally from Bangalore whose work has been presented across India, the USA and Europe. She has won or been nominated for several awards, including the Toto Award, the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, The Hindu Playwright Award. She was recently a playwright-in-residence at Jagriti, part of The International […]
About the writer