Saturday, February 19, 2011

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!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

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