Love always prevails where soul mates are concerned.

It was this message that lingered at the second showing of Shakuntala at the DUT Courtyard Theatre yesterday (21 May).

Directed by Durban Playwright Robin Singh, Shakuntala is an Indian play dating back 2000 years. For this production Singh used P Lal’s script as it is simple and more accessible to modern society and contemporary audiences worldwide.

Similarly to most Indian stories, the play is about true love, the tests (of true love) and the role fate plays in rekindling it.

While on a hunting expedition, King Dushyanta stumbles upon the beautiful and pure Shakuntala, a hermit, and immediately falls for her. He promises to receive her as his wife when she comes to his palace. He gives her a ring as a symbol of his affection.

But things go awry. Shakuntala is cursed by another hermit whom she unfortunately ignores while lost in her thoughts about the king. Due to this curse, the King does not recall his meeting with Shakuntala. So when the pregnant Shakuntala finally goes to stay with her husband, she is rejected and seen as an imposter.
In the end though, love does conquer all as the family is reunited.

The play is a combination of comedy, drama and suspense. The animated performances and lighting kept the story captivating. Characters like Jester, the king’s friend, Shakuntala’s friends and the prisoner brought the audience to laughter.

The must-see play shows nightly at the Courtyard Theatre until 25 May.

– Naledi Hlefane