Mickey and the Memsahib Afterthoughts

For our April selection, we read Vijay Tendulkar's 'Mickey and the Memsahib.'

Vijay Tendulkar is a Marathi playwright who has written some of the most progressive plays of post independence India. He was also awarded the Sangeet Natak Academi award for play-writing. He is celebrated for the unique experimental nature of his plays, which use black humor and erratic themes to portray society.

'Mickey and the Memsahib' can be classified as one such with certainty. It was written in 1973 and the theme of the play centers around the oppressive domestic existence of an academic, who tries to escape his wife's cruelty by conducting experiments on his lab mouse name Mickey. 

Murtaza takes on the lead role and enacts the role of professor to perfection. The play begins with the professor's monologue talking to himself and mentioning all the specific chores he must complete around the house.The story of this marginalized man who is belittled and dominated by his wife is hilarious through the first part of the play.....Strange occurrences and non existent neighbors pay a visit and the familiar mixed with the unfamiliar is altogether entertaining. The professors hopes to find success in his experiments with Mickey but is shattered when Mickey is killed. Eventually he starts to lose his mind and towards the later part of the play, the absurdity deteriorates. There are elaborate prayers and rituals during the 'Bhondla' (a women's ritual-cum-game performed during the ten days of Durga Pooja) and the professor takes part in the entire affair.

The second half of the play was quite difficult to understand and Satish Alekar was unable to convey the subtle meaning and depth in his story. Or rather, it was something that was just lost in translation to us as readers.

All in all, it was an interesting experience and got us a step closer to understanding the depth and breath of India drama.

Comeplayalong rating 2.5 *

The 39 Steps

Hilarious and fun!!  4 Actors play multiple characters in this very funny murder mystery thriller!

Based on Alfred Hitchcock's movie and the book by John Buchan, this is an interestingly fun-filled spoof. The play has been adapted by Patrick Barlow.
The dashingly handsome(repeated throughout the performance for emphasis) Richard Hannay decides to help out a counterespionage agent, who is on the run. After she is murdered at his home, he is a now a suspect and a fugitive. He meets beautiful blondes and other intriguing characters throughout the adventurous run across the highlands of Scotland.. He also plans to find out the truth about the spy ring to prove his innocence. Hitchcock's presence is seen through shadow images and glimpses of his films through the creation of trains, planes, birds and more.
Check out this theatrical performance for a fun ride!

Do The Needful Afterthoughts

Our fourth reading session turned out to be our largest gathering so far. A grand total of 8 people joined in to  read Mahesh Dattani's "Do The Needful'. And so we did!

The play begins with the parents of a Gujarati Patel boy responding to a newspaper matrimonial ad for a girl from the South. In desperation to get their kids married, both sets of  parents are willing to accept each other in spite of the fact that they are from very different communities. Their kids however have plans of their own. A series of events unfold, which eventually lead to the two agreeing to enter into a marriage of  convenience.

Our overall impression of the play was aptly summarized by Saumil who said : "It was very unremarkable." We felt that it  lacked the depth and wit that is usually observed in Dattani's plays.  In the end we were left thinking that it is sad to see  that people are forced to lead dual lives in order to keep up appearances that are socially acceptable.

Comeplayalong rating 2.5*
 -Nikki & Pramida

Where There Is A Will

Having read two serious plays back to back we decided to read a comedy for our third reading. We chose Mahesh Dattani's where there is a will. The play turned out to be a dark comedy that kept  us thoroughly entertained through the entire reading. 

The premise of the play is a family waiting in anticipation for inheritance after the death of a rich businessman, Hasmukh Mehta. The family after the death includes the widowed wife, the son and daughter-in-law. The hopes of the three are shattered when the pages takes an unexpected turn and they discover a cleverly designed ‘Will’ that is meant to punish them and also delay the prospect of wealth for 21 years. The arrival of a mistress who is also the trustee of the will adds to the misery. Additionally, the ghost of Hasmukh Mehta hangs around and observes the proceedings at the Mehta residence.

It is hard not to truly enjoy the central character of Hasmukh Mehta! He is a stubborn, strong willed rigid man who likes to speak his mind. His sarcastic comments had us rolling our eyes and his wit had us rolling with laughter. Thanks Mahesh Dattani for creating such a memorable character in him. The image of Hasmukh Mehta hanging upside down on a tamarind tree is going to be etched in our memories forever.

As for the group, it was great to have 2 first time readers Vikram and Gautam join us. Gautam read the part of Hasmukh Mehta and his comical timing was spot on! Vikram did well as the semi-defiant son. As usual, not only was the reading a lot of fun filled chuckles but gave us a chance to forge friendships with people who share common interests.

Comeplayalong rating 3.5 *

- Nikki & Pramida