A new Nepali production of ‘Far Away’, a short dystopian play by British playwright Caryl Churchill, is set to be staged at Mandala Theatre. Rajkumar Pudasaini will direct the performance, which is scheduled from August 4 to 10.

The play explores the collapse of moral order in a surreal world where even nature becomes weaponised. “This play revolves around child psychology, how the environment, family members, and external influences shape our growth. Fear, silence, and complicity start close to home,” says Pudasaini.

First performed in 2000, Churchill’s three-part play delves into themes of fear, control, and distorted reality. The Mandala production remains faithful to the original script, portraying the evolution of a world gripped by unnamed war and paranoia—where rivers, animals, and celestial bodies are implicated in unseen violence.

The play follows Joan, played by Rishu Raut, who grows from a curious child into a passive participant in a horrific system. Ruja Raut plays Harper, her aunt, who conceals sinister truths under a surface of normalcy. Todd, played by Anish Bimali, is a co-worker who oscillates between resistance and resignation in a factory that designs extravagant hats for public executions.

The minimalistic set design and lighting complement the escalating tension and surrealism in the narrative.

The team intends to provoke reflection on how fear, once normalised, can quietly transform societies and individuals.

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Far Away

When: August 4 to August 10
Where: Mandala Theatre, Thapagaun
Time: 5:30 pm
Entry Fee: Rs300 (students), Rs500 to Rs1,000 (general audience)