Review of 'Darkling' at Bush Theatre Pairs Coming-of-Age Story With Bhopal Disaster Backdrop

A new theatrical production titled "Darkling," running at the Bush Theatre in London, sets a young girl's coming-of-age narrative against the backdrop of the 1984 Bhopal toxic gas leak, according to a review published by The Guardian.

The disaster in the Indian city of Bhopal is described in the review as one of the worst industrial catastrophes in global history, resulting in thousands of deaths.

The production is a dramatic monologue written by Titas Halder and features actor Linnea Berthelsen, who is known for playing Kali in the Netflix series Stranger Things. According to the review, the production marks Berthelsen's stage debut in the United Kingdom.

The Guardian's review characterizes Berthelsen's performance as "tightly wound" and physical, noting that she moves across a set designed by Simon Kenny, which is described as artful and filled with soil.

Per the review, Berthelsen's character recounts episodes from her childhood, including playing in the rain, eating bowls of plain rice, and looking up to her older sister, conveying a sense of childlike wonder throughout the performance.

The review states that "ominousness permeates" the production, though it suggests that Halder's poetic script does not fully capture the horror associated with the historical event it depicts.

The Guardian review did not provide additional details on the production's running dates or further creative team members beyond those mentioned.