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| Dir. Sammy Tavares addresses the house. |
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| All-girl band accompanying the actors. |
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| Sufikhana serves on Bakri Eid. |
The tiatr today blew my mind - not for the script but for the all-girl band which was in the pit and accompanied the actors. Two were on trumpet, one on drums, and one on electric guitar. Along with them was a male on the keyboard and another on the synth.
The show was stolen by a little girl with polio who brought the stage to life. She put up a splendid performance and was even given a short solo song.
Another song in front of the curtain was themed on the contribution of all those who make the tiatr happen. Each person's work was acknowledged; his name was taken; and he was invited on stage to receive his applause. Some of those honoured were the driver, the floor boys, the lighting- in-house charge etc.
There is the hen-pecked husband played very well by the actor. What exacerbates the issue is that he goes on moaning about his grievances to grandma's (his mother's) brother who he repeatedly calls 'mama' in mock self-pity. He sheds his childishness only at the end when he is forced to make a choice.
There were several slapstick cameos - one on the recently concluded elections - which had the audience in splits. Just before interval there is a special effects scene where Jesus appears miraculously. The audience was highly appreciative of the tiatr, calling back the singers several times for an encore.
This was the first time we were at the Natyagraha in Mapusa. The show started at 3.30 p.m. and went on to after 6.30 p.m. Towards the end I started feeling claustrophobic in the packed hall since which was non-ac. During the recess I came out for some snacks but they were all wiped out.
Luckily we were fortified by a hearty mutton biryani - being Bakri Eid - which we treated ourselves to at Sufikhana, Mapusa minutes away from the hall. I liked the intensity with which the proprietors were attentive to all their clients and made them feel comfortable. They looked like dervishes in their full white attire. A young boy too was helping to man the counter.
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