Bengaluru theatre: Jagriti Theatre’s ‘Everybody’ explores life, death, and choices

Still from ‘Everybody’ rehearsal
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

When Death comes knocking, what do you hold on to? Jagriti Theatre’s latest production, Everybody, directed by Rebecca Spurgeon, makes the audience explore one of life’s ultimate questions.

Rebecca finds her inspiration not just in playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ audacious script but also in the enthusiasm of her cast — students from Jagriti’s Theatre Arts Programme. “The script was something we read in class,” she says. “A big part of the curriculum is exploring a variety of texts and understanding performance through body, voice, and text.” What emerged from these explorations is a contemporary adaptation of the 15th-century morality play, Everyman, updated for today’s audiences with sharp humour, modern language, and an inventive structure.

At its core, Everybody asks: When faced with mortality, how do we reconcile our attachments to relationships, possessions, and identity? The play follows its protagonist, Everybody, on a surreal journey with Death, meeting personifications of abstract concepts like Friendship and Kinship. As these characters reflect the realities of human behaviour, they make the story uncomfortably relatable.

Still from ‘Everybody’ rehearsal
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

“Jacobs-Jenkins’ script creates a contemporary context,” says Rebecca. “The characters are accessible; their reactions and arguments resemble people we see around us every day. The play breaks traditional structure and form, making it both challenging and exhilarating for the cast.”

This structural fluidity demands exceptional dexterity from the performers, who juggle multiple roles and swift transitions. For the Jagriti students, mastering the physical and vocal techniques required to embody these changes has been both a challenge and a triumph.

Humour, Rebecca notes, is woven seamlessly into the script. “While I’d love to take credit for balancing humour and existential themes, it’s all in the writing,” she admits. The directorial focus, she explains, was on creating a cohesive narrative for the audience amidst the script’s complex, layered design. “In a play where actors switch roles and the audience becomes part of the performance, clarity is key.”

Still from ‘Everybody’ rehearsal
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Rebecca’s approach to directing reflects an intuitive understanding of storytelling. “I rely heavily on visual design and lose myself in the world of the play,” she says. “What needs to be told becomes clear, and my role is simply to etch away at the excess.” This philosophy ensures that the production remains true to the playwright’s intent while showcasing Rebecca’s distinctive creative vision.

The themes of Everybody are strikingly universal. So, she believes it will resonate with the Bengaluru theatre audiences too. “When Death comes calling, have the people and things we’ve invested in been worth it?” she asks. “It’s a question we all need to confront, regardless of time or place.”

With its blend of humour, absurdity, and raw emotion, Everybody promises to challenge audiences while leaving them deeply entertained.

As Jagriti Theatre continues to nurture talent, it’s an opportunity for its students to push boundaries; for audiences, it’s a chance to grapple with life’s biggest questions — perhaps with a smile.

Everybody (90 minutes, in English) will be staged at 7.30pm on December 13 to 15 at Jagriti Theatre.