Mumbai, May 6: The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) has announced a major new production of Death and the Maiden, the internationally acclaimed psychological thriller by Ariel Dorfman. Directed by NCPA Head of Theatre and Films Bruce Guthrie, the production will run at the Experimental Theatre from May 7 to 10, 2026.
This new staging brings together an accomplished international creative team and a powerful cast featuring Ira Dubey, Vivek Gomber, and Neil Bhoopalam, offering a fresh and intense interpretation of a modern theatrical classic.
A Story of Justice, Memory, and Power
Set in a country emerging from dictatorship, Death & the Maiden follows Paulina Salas, a former political prisoner who becomes convinced that a visiting stranger is the man who once tortured her. What unfolds is a gripping and morally complex confrontation where personal trauma intersects with questions of truth, justice, memory, and revenge.
More than three decades after its premiere, the play continues to resonate deeply with contemporary audiences, addressing themes of accountability, power, and the lingering impact of political violence.
A Global Creative Collaboration
The production features a distinguished international team, including:
- Set Designer: Simon Kenny
- Lighting Designers: Arghya Lahiri and Yael Crishna
- Sound Designer: Rahul Nadkarni
- Movement Director & Intimacy Specialist: Emilia Cadenasso
- Costume Designer: Pallavi Patel
- Vocal Coach: Shernaz Patel
- Composer: Andrew T. Mackay
Adding to the immersive experience, musicians from the Symphony Orchestra of India will contribute live elements to enhance the production’s atmosphere and intensity.
Performance and Process at the Core
The cast brings together three of India’s most compelling performers, with Ira Dubey portraying Paulina in a role that demands emotional depth and intensity. The intimate setting of the Experimental Theatre is designed to heighten the psychological tension and draw audiences into the play’s charged environment.
The production also adopts a contemporary, process-driven rehearsal approach. Movement director Emilia Cadenasso, trained in intimacy direction at the Central School of Speech and Drama, ensures a safe, structured environment for actors to engage with challenging material while maintaining artistic precision and emotional authenticity.
A Timeless Modern Classic
Originally premiered in 1990, Death & the Maiden achieved global acclaim and was later adapted into a feature film in 1994. Its enduring power lies in its refusal to offer easy answers, instead posing difficult questions about justice, truth, and the aftermath of violence.
Commenting on the production, Bruce Guthrie said, “Death & the Maiden is a play I have long admired. With a remarkable cast and an exceptional creative team, we look forward to presenting a production that explores its universal themes of justice, revenge, power, and control, while offering audiences an intense and thought-provoking theatrical experience.”
Performance Details
- Play: Death & the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman
- Director: Bruce Guthrie
- Cast: Ira Dubey, Vivek Gomber, Neil Bhoopalam
- Venue: Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai
- Dates: May 7–10, 2026
- Duration: 100 minutes
