The Village
Theatre Royal Stratford East

IN FUENTEOVEJUNA, Lope de Vegas’s classic Spanish drama of 1619, a community stands together against corruption, tyranny and abuse and April De Angelis’s dynamic blank-verse adaptation transposes the action to modern-day India.

Apart from its contemporary setting, with the corrupt police of the Bharatiya Janata Party being the oppressors and violators, the final act of The Village shifts style and tempo as the fable takes on elements more akin to Greek tragedy.

In this staging, the brightly clad, multi-religious community interacts in a village square framed by a proscenium-like arch, set against earth and crops. Designed by Joanna Scotcher, this idealised outdoor world contrasts with the concrete and mirror-glass interiors inhabited by the politicians and it's skilfully employed by Nadia Fall’s intelligent direction to constantly remind us of our role as audience in this parable of civil rebellion.

Art Mallik’s insatiable, menacing Inspector tyrannises the village of Sahaspur, viciously imposing his will and desires under anti-Muslim pretences.

The rejection of his advances on Jyoti, the daughter of the village leader, leads to horrific consequences. The witty banter, rhyming couplets, songs and Bollywood-style dance routines of village life fall into abeyance at the oppressive police presence and are then swept aside by the stylised maenadic ferocity of the women wreaking revenge.

At the centre of this enthralling production is Anya Chalotra’s 16-year-old Jyoti, sparkling with youthful attitude and character, keeping her boyfriend guessing and spurning the advances of the Inspector.

Brutalised on her wedding day, she transforms into a captivating Greek Fury, inciting the village to action, before counselling their unified response to prosecution.

In a cast of more than 20, the larger-than-life performances of Ameet Chana’s Mango and Rina Fatania’s Panna also stand out. Their playful sniping and flirtation inject humour and energy into the pastoral community and their heroic loyalty in the face of vicious treatment by the authorities further ennobles the people of the village.

This is a vivid production that remains true to Lope De Vegas’s original but, by putting women at the heart of the action, it’s infused with contemporary relevance. Its deceptive simplicity, underpinned by a skilful blend of styles and techniques, holds the audience throughout, making us both judges and jury in this parable of social injustice.

Runs until October 6, box office: stratfordeast.com.