The Unseen Specter: How 'Avoidance Play' Confronts Our Deepest Discomforts

In an age saturated with digital connections, true communication often remains elusive, especially within the sacred confines of family. 'Avoidance Play,' a powerful new production from The Madras Players, under the discerning direction of Karthik Sridhar, masterfully pulls back the curtain on this uncomfortable truth.

It's not just a play; it's a mirror reflecting society's collective talent for looking away, particularly when faced with the uncomfortable realities of mental health and the gaping chasm between generations.

The narrative unfolds within a seemingly ordinary household, where a distressed son grapples with unseen demons.

Yet, his parents, caricatures of societal norms, are utterly consumed by superficial concerns. Their world is one of polite smiles, trivial chatter, and an almost pathological aversion to genuine emotional engagement. They are experts in the art of avoidance, deftly navigating conversations away from anything remotely challenging, especially their son's palpable suffering.

This deliberate ignorance forms the comedic backbone of the play, a dark humor that elicits chuckles of recognition and pangs of disquiet in equal measure.

Sridhar introduces a brilliant, unsettling metaphor: the 'ghost.' This spectral figure, perhaps the embodiment of unaddressed trauma, festering thoughts, or the very mental health issues the family refuses to acknowledge, becomes a constant, haunting presence.

Crucially, not everyone can see it. The father, entrenched in his denial, remains oblivious, his lines delivered with a deliberate, almost aggressive cheerfulness that only amplifies the tension. The mother, however, occasionally catches glimpses, her moments of fleeting awareness adding a layer of tragic irony to her continued inaction.

The son, understandably, is acutely aware of this ethereal companion, and at times, it even interacts with him, symbolizing the pervasive nature of his internal struggle.

The play's brilliance lies in its ability to highlight how avoidance, initially a coping mechanism, spirals into a destructive force.

The parents' refusal to confront their son's distress, or even their own roles in his struggles, creates an emotional vacuum that the 'ghost' readily fills. The climax, while devoid of a conventional, neatly tied resolution, is perhaps its most poignant aspect. A direct confrontation does occur, forcing uncomfortable truths to the surface, yet the play suggests that avoidance is not easily vanquished.

It's a deeply ingrained habit, a societal default, leaving the audience with a lingering sense of unease and a profound invitation to introspection.

'Avoidance Play' is a testament to the power of theatre as a catalyst for conversation. The performances are nuanced, bringing to life characters who are both frustratingly familiar and tragically human.

Karthik Sridhar's direction is sharp and incisive, ensuring that every comedic beat lands while underscoring the serious themes at play. It's a compelling exploration of human nature's darker corners, reminding us that sometimes, the most terrifying specters are not those we imagine, but those we actively choose to ignore.