The Final Line

The Final Line is the first full-length production for new theatre group The Great Indian Theatre Company. Subtitled “The Untold story of India’s Great Divide”, it tells the story of the 1947 partition of India, which accompanied the dissolution of the British Raj in the Indian subcontinent.A line on the map created two independent dominions - India and Pakistan - leading to mass migration, sectarian violence, religious cleansing and the deaths of up to two million people. 

The Final Line is the combination of an epic docudrama, focusing alternatively on the British administrator forced to make impossible decisions and the fictional story of a town in the Punjab, where Sikhs and Muslims have lived in harmony for generations only to be drawn into sudden and violent conflict and the tearing apart of families and lovers.

Simply staged, we alternate between a village common area, and an office in the Raj, with use of a screen and an efficient stage crew. The director, Sreekanth Gopalakrishnan makes much use of stage pictures and direct address, giving us a quite stylised feel. Costuming is beautiful and for the most part historically accurate.

Significantly underscored by a composition by Sumesh Anand Surya, the music sets us firmly on the sub continent.

With twenty-five characters it is impossible to mention everyone, but Dilip Ajwani as Hussain Bhai and Ashish Malik as Balbir Singh were excellent as long-time friends drawn into conflict, Atul Sinha was a convincing Gandhi, Robert McDonough convincingly portrayed the overwhelming responsibility given to Cyril Radcliffe and Geoffrey Leader, a late addition to the cast was excellent as Colonel Ismay. Lovely work also from the Romeo-and-Juliet-like Jeet (Rohit Kalia) and Zoya (Karishma Velugula)

It was clear from pre-show advice emails and the number of latecomers, that this show was introducing many new people to theatre, and the foyer displays gave an interesting introduction to those unfamiliar with this period of history.

A mammoth production for a new company, this interesting and educational play augers well for a strong future for this fledgeling company. Great to see more diverse theatre in Perth and see lots of new faces on stage.

Kimberley Shaw