Jayant Kripalani and Srijit Mukherji star in Kaushik Sen's theatrical reimagination
Karl Marx landed in Kolkata—not in body, but in a fiery spirit that firmly rejects being called a Marxist—in
Marx in Soho
, a sharp, thought-provoking adaptation of Howard Zinn's play.
Reimagined by Kaushik Sen to reflect the city's evolving political landscape, the production is more than a revival; it's a reawakening of discourse, identity, and dissent.
Sen expands the original monologue-based structure into an ensemble piece, introducing new characters and interwoven sociopolitical narratives. The dialogues are punchy, and the cast—energetic, acrobatic, and committed—drives the momentum.
At the core is Marx's life with Jenny in Soho, filtered through fractured memories as he contends with the collapse of communism and the rise of capitalism—especially Kolkata's own shifting ideologies.
Jayant Kripalani as Karl Marx
Veteran thespian Jayant Kripalani plays Marx with weathered elegance and infectious vitality. He holds the audience with warmth, wit, and unflinching presence. Opposite him, filmmaker-actor Srijit Mukherji steps into the role of Lucifer with a goat-mask, a relaxed posture, and a devilish charisma.
Post-interval, his presence upends the mood, provoking Marx—and the audience—into deeper introspection.
Their crackling interplay mirrors Kolkata's contradictions: its radical history versus its neoliberal now.
Performed for just two shows at GD Birla Sabhaghar, the production is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Shyamal Sen—Kaushik Sen's father—a towering figure in both theatre and critical thought. Sen's version of Lucifer, inspired by Goethe's
Faust
and Marx's
Das Kapital
, becomes a symbol of ideological tension. To him, this isn't just theatre—it's a provocation. A plea for collective hope. A moment where even Lucifer hesitates.
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