If the timeless tale of ‘Layla Majnun’ manages a full house in chilly weather, one can rest assured theatre is here to stay.

Though the story is known to most theatre goers, Ismail Choonara’s version of Layla Majnun manages to hold audience attention because of its sheer presentation style.

The story begins with the chorus comprising women introducing characters especially of Majnun as possessed wandering in Layla’s love.

As scene shifts swiftly audience find Layla’s parents discussing how the love between Majnun and Layla has brought shame to the family.

At Majnun front, father Sayyid agrees to seek Layla from his father. The refusal only disheartens love stricken Majnun who slips into melancholy. Even a pilgrimage to holy Mecca doesn’t help and Majnun continues to chant poems on his beloved’s beauty who is eventually married to Ibn-e-Saleem, a prince.

The twist in the tale comes when one hears of Ibn-e-Saleem’s death. After having mourned his death for two years Layla sets out on a journey to find Majnun. When she finds him, Majnun was already in love with the ‘image’ of Layla - the ‘image’ so similar to that of the supreme power —Allah.

Heartbroken Layla dies giving a perfect ending to the tale of love, pain and separation.

Penned by Ismail Choonara, the play lives up to the reputation of being a worldwide event. The direction by Ram Gopal Bajaj, who started Bharat Rang Mahotsav as Director of National School of Drama in 2001 shows why he is one of the leading theatre personalities in the country today.

The cast, with the exception of few are former students of NSD. Banwari Taneja as Sayyid, Lakshmi Rawat as Layla and Ejaz Ali Khan as Majnun appear impressive as did some others. However, director misses to depict female protagonist as ‘dark as night’ because of which she was named Layla. The highpoint of the play was the apt pronunciation of difficult Urdu words, a rarity on the stage. Again, costume design, sense of colour, physical movement of the actors and coordination with lighting designer reflected on the quality of the play.