NEW DELHI — The LTG Repertory has once again demonstrated its capacity for high-caliber theatrical production with the premiere of “War Brides” on November 22, 2025. In a landscape where experimental theatre often struggles to find a balance between form and content, this production stands out as a masterclass in execution.
Helmed by Director Vipin Kumar and Assistant Director Shikha Malhotra, the production is being noted within industry circles for its successful, and seamless, fusion of a classic dramatic text with contemporary musical elements. It is a production that manages to respect the source material while aggressively recontextualizing it for a modern audience.
From a technical standpoint, the play featured exceptionally high production values. The staging utilized complex blocking and what the team described as “hard-hitting images” to convey the narrative, moving beyond traditional realism into a more symbolic, visceral visual language.
A key component of this structural innovation was the integration of an original musical score. Composed by Rahul with lyrics by Harsh, the auditory landscape added a layer of complexity to the staging that is rarely seen in standard plays. The music and dance sequences were not merely decorative interludes; they were integral to the storytelling architecture. This required a high level of versatility from the ensemble cast, who were tasked with navigating the transition between dramatic dialogue and musical expression without losing the tension of the scene.
The directorial approach was strictly rooted in contemporary relevance, steering clear of treating the script as a museum piece. Director Vipin Kumar provided a cohesive framework for the design and performance choices by anchoring the themes in the present day. “The play’s commentary on geopolitics is particularly relevant in the context of ongoing conflicts between countries like America and Russia,” noted Director Vipin Kumar. This conceptual clarity ensured that every artistic choice—from the lighting to the lyricism—served the overarching metaphor of modern geopolitical tension.
Perhaps most interesting to theatre practitioners is the methodology behind the performance. Assistant Director Shikha Malhotra highlighted the rigorous rehearsal process as the key to the production’s success. “Connecting young performers with a story of such depth… required daily process work,” Malhotra explained. She cited the exploration of various acting techniques as essential to achieving the “emotional truth” visible on stage. This emphasis on process over quick results allowed the cast to inhabit the trauma of the characters rather than simply
performing it. “Bringing this story to life felt like winning an award in itself,” Malhotra added, signaling a high level of satisfaction from the creative team regarding the artistic outcome and the ensemble’s growth.For the theatre community in Delhi, “War Brides” serves as a vital case study in adaptation. It demonstrates how to adapt historical texts for modern audiences while maintaining high artistic standards and social relevance, proving that socially charged theatre can be both critically rigorous and aesthetically compelling.
