Brothel #9

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Brothel #9
Factory Theatre
Written by Aunsree Roy
Directed by Nigel Shawn Williams
Performed by Anusree Roy, Pamela Sinha, Sanjay Talwar and Ash Knight
Factory Theatre
Feb. 26 to Mar. 27, 2011

Anusree Roy’s Brothel #9 has enough high melodrama in it to match any old-fashioned Hollywood weeper. That the story could really happen, gives the play its edge.

The city is Kolkata, and young Rekha has been dropped off by her brother-in-law at what she thinks is a bulb factory. In truth, it is a brothel and he has sold her to the pimp for 2100 rupees. And that’s just the beginning. It’s all down hill from here.

Roy has created very strong characters. The major relationship is between the older whore Jamuna, played by Roy herself, and young Rekha, performed by Pamela Sinha. Anjay Talwar is the corrupt policeman Salaudin, and Ash Knight is the pimp Birbal.

Director Nigel Shawn Williams goes for the emotional jugular, while Shawn Erwin has created realistic sets and costumes that recreate the Kolkata mean streets.

Roy certainly knows how to write plays that grab hold of the imagination.

Brothel #9 continues at Factory Theatre until Mar. 27.