All the best
Roseferns’ latest presentation titled ‘All The Best’ is a total laugh riot. At last we have a play that is entirely comedy, something that was long overdue on the Konkani stage.
Jonah is in Mumbai and is married to Christie a green card holder from USA who wants him to migrate with her. Her cousin aptly named Damaciano is a tiatr lover and has to add a Konkani song to everything he says. Jonah however has a problem; he is already married to Sharmila, a native of Karwar who lives with his father in Goa along with their servant, AC. Jonah’s father, who is unaware of the new developments, wants Jonah to come to Goa and take his wife with him to Mumbai. After a lot of resistance, Sharmila is taken to Mumbai and unfortunately deserted at the CST. Damaciano finds her there and takes her to his cousin’s house to work as a maid. Thus begins a trail of lies and deception. Watch it on stage and enjoy the rest.
The humour in the tiatr is the highlight and it is highly enjoyable. For once tiatr lovers will have all the actors making the audience laugh and having a great time themselves. Antonette de Maina plays her role as the tribal Sharmila well. Her dressing, acting and expressions are superb. Roma looks smart and plays the role of Christie. Tari is the two timing Jonah, cool but scheming and Roseferns plays the dignified father with style. The surprise however is Creto who is great as Damaciano. After playing serious roles he showed a knack for comedy and had the audience in splits. Richard and Nato, loud Dorothy and Reggie have a couple of roles in the tiatr. After playing numerous negative roles, Rosario de Benaulim adds to the humour quotient with his act.
The band has Theo Alvares and Selwyn who are superb on the trumpets, Ivo plays the drums, Flexon strums the bass and Arif is great on the keyboard. The opening song is rendered well by Rosario. There are many interesting solos and duets in between acts by Creto, Roma, Rosario, Richard and Nato. A song by Roseferns on the environment has much to tell. If you enjoy laughing, this drama is a must. Even if you don’t, you will still enjoy it.
Aplem Lipoitat Dusreanchem Dhuitat
Comedian Agostinho hits out at ‘tiatrist’, politics, the many evils prevalent on the Konkani stage, Goan politics and everything that is adversely affecting our beloved Goa.
Hazel and Oscar are a couple who have made their mark on the Konkani stage. Their son Kennedy is a singer of political songs and is in demand, but his mother is against him working onstage. Although a singer of political songs, it is his friend Oliver who composes the lyrics. The story also includes a minister who is quite corrupt and extorts money for illegal licenses and distributes this to the poor in order to help the ‘tiatr’ fraternity. Enter Ligorio, an ex-tiatrist who now hates ‘tiatr’. He is a destitute trying to do some good. One day during a confrontation with Kennedy, an accident occurs. Ligorio goes to Kennedy’s house to enquire about him. There he finds Hazel and Oscar and a secret is disclosed. The rest is to be watched on stage, as various seedy and illegal activities are displayed till the fitting climax.
Agostinho takes a critical look at the messages passed on to the audience, from the stage and lives of artistes. Politicians are criticised and funds are obtained from the same tainted politicians. Various issues figure in the script. Watch out for the confrontation between the political singer and politician and another between Ligorio and the successful couple, Hazel and Oscar. Both acts are well executed. Dolla plays Hazel and acts well throughout. Jaju plays the role of the dominated husband and is quite amusing at times. Willie plays Kennedy and Filipe Almeida is seen as his friend Oliver. Pascoal Rodrigues is wonderful as the destitute Ligorio and so is Pradeep Naik as the politician; Benny Fernandes plays the role of the secretary. Janet is seen as Pikasaum and has plenty to tell, Agostinho is Chikoo – the no good husband and Selvy is Caetano Rosar – the local free loader. The trio create plenty of humour.
Music and tunes are rendered by Minguel on the saxophone, Nolvert on the tumept, Jack on the drums, Wilbur on the keyboard and Casmiro on bass. There are nice songs on various topics by Dolla, Janet, Pascoal, Hilary, Willie, Filipe, Jaju and Selvy. The drama has plenty to tell. Watch it.
Tension
Pal Soares presents his latest tiatr ‘Tension’ that revolves around the life of a genuine social worker and society that pays him back with ungratefulness.
Roosevelt is being felicitated, the local youth, sarpanch and seniors are seen praising the good selfless work done by this man for the village. The main issue at hand is the completion of the Holy Cross and shelter built over it. Although his wife and daughter complain about him not spending enough time with his family, Roosevelt does not stop. Unfortunately, his business investment fails and in order to clear bank dues he has to sell the land on which the cross stands. This is when the tension begins. The would-be buyer wants the cross shifted to which the villagers object and soon a small war breaks out in the village. Watch the rest on stage as this engrossing tale leaves one thinking. Is the Cross Holy or the land on which it stands important? Will the cross lose its sanctity if shifted?
Beautifully scripted and enacted, the play is a treat to watch. The scenes that stand out in the play are the confrontation between the daughter and her lover, the daughter and main opposition and the social worker’s plea when asking his family to support him when the rest let him down. The tiatr has some good comedy, fine songs and a cast that does full justice to the script. Jessica plays the role of the tough daughter with a heart of gold while Evon lends support as the mother and wife. Cruz Pinto is aptly cast as the kind Roosevelt who helps people selflessly. Rupesh Jogle is seen as the opposing villager and, Joe and Jose play their parts well. Pal Soares plays two roles, first as the sarpanch and later as the parish priest. Light moments can be credited to Reza, Gabby and Inas.
Music for the songs are provided by Macroy on the trumpet, Menino on the saxophone, James on the keyboard, Raja on drums and Marian on bass. The opening song has good lyrics and is rendered by Reza. There are other great solos, trios and duets by Evon, Jessica, Natasha, Jose, Marcus Vaz, Bapista and others. Solos by Joe and Edward need special mention. Rons sings a solo that is power packed and must be heard. Great play, don’t miss it!