‘Duplicate’
Comedian Ambe’s new tiatr is a parody of politicians who jump parties for their own benefits, something that is very much prevalent in Goa.
In the tiatr, Moses is the local politician. He is quite corrupt and has jumped from one party to another after getting elected. His wife, Roma, supports his ways. Sonia is a reporter who tries to see which side her bread is buttered and the local police officer seems to be unsure whom to side with. Myron and his father Richard, are always poking fun of the politician and challenging him along with Sally and Semica. Ambe is the migrant who wants more of his people to settle in Goa. Antonette, the politician’s daughter, returns from Germany but wants to settle there. Her father convinces her to stay in Goa. She agrees but on a certain condition that sends shock waves in the family. Watch the rest on stage, as the family members fight each other and the supporters have a great time
taking sides.
The tiatr has its moments with many good songs and some amusing comedy. There is a good message in the climax. Sunny de Colva provides the lights to sets by Anthony de Ambajim. Antonette as the daughter with demands does her act well. Sonia is the supportive reporter while Roma is the wife of the corrupt politician, played effectively by Moses. Peter Correia is the cop and Ambe is good as the migrant. Semica, Sally, Richard, and Myron are the supporters who provide some fun.
The band has Nolvert (trumpet), Nazareth (saxophone), Jack (drums), Seaban (bass), and Norman (keyboard). Jr. Reagan rocks the fine opening song. There are more songs by Rioma, Antonette, Roma, Marcus, Lester, Reagan, Richard, Myron, and others. Solos by Xavier Gomes on road safety, Lawry Travasso on the faith of a child, a tribute to all dads by Lester, and a duet by Rioma and Lester need special mention.
‘Ger’rak Nhoi, Vor’rak Melo’
Written and directed by Francis de Tuem, this tiatr narrates a tale of parents who pamper their children and then pay for their misbehaviour.
The play opens on the grandfather in the family, describing life in today’s modern world and introducing his family. His son Tony is married to Alzira. Both run a profitable business. Rina is the daughter and Francis, the younger son. Bruno is the son of the business partner, who passed away. So they have cared for him and he lives with them. Tony pampers Bruno and Rina. They have credit cards with limits of two lakh! Alzira pampers Francis. He is presented a high-end bike after passing Class 10. The grandfather tries to put some sense into the parent’s head but no one cares. Francis offers a ride to his mother and a tragedy follows. More tragic situations are in store, as Bruno and Rina misbehave.
The tiatr has a message to parents who provide all sorts of luxuries to their children. Certain needs have to be fulfilled, but some control has to be exercised on the behaviour of kids. The post-interval act has a great message of reconciliation. The pre-interval act could be shortened! There are many political songs, at times even criticising those who have passed away. The music is good. The settings by Ambajim have light effects from Jaison. The cast has Rosy Alvares as Alzira. For most of the play, she is on a wheelchair. Princy does well as Rina. Olga does a cameo. Ulhas Tari does a superb performance as the grandfather. Concy is very impressive as Tony, playing the easy-going dad in style. Francisco is Bruno, spoilt, heartless and a brat to the core while Roneber is Francis, the younger son. Noel plays a variety of small roles. Fiona, Nato, and Rishton provide the humour. Rosario de Benaulim and Peter de Arambol add their bit to the funnies.
The band has Alex (saxophone), Yeselon (great on the trumpet), Tremson (drums), Benny (keyboard) and Josh (bass). Peter de Arambol renders the opening song. There are more songs from Rosy Alvares, Olga Vaz, Rishton, Peter de Arambol, Rosario de Benaulim, and Francis de Tuem, who also renders a fine comical solo. The pick is Amresh, with a mimicry act that received many encores.
‘Grandma’
Sammy Tavares presents a tale of love between a grandmother and her granddaughter.
Roma is Franky’s mother and Aliva’s grandma. Aliva loves her grandma and the two are inseparable. Franky is married to Antonette. She is evil and domineering, ill-treating the mother-in-law without any reason. Franky has no say and is totally besotted with his wife, although he loves his mother. Sally is the guy who makes an attempt to put some sense in the ‘man’. The old lady does all the household chores while the daughter-in-law participates in beauty contests. One day, the old lady falls sick and is soon confined to a wheel chair. The cruelty continues, the granddaughter suffers and the final reconciliation completes the melodrama.
The writer-director narrates the love between grandparents and their grandchildren, a bond that usually is strong. But then cruelty and evil also abounds. There are many songs, a fine band of young girls led by Norman, and a cast that perform well. Ambajim provides the sets and Tremson, the light effects. Roma does well as the grandma, loving and caring. Antonette plays the evil, selfish, and cruel daughter-in-law. Aliva is the granddaughter, quite realistic in her role and the audience loved her. It’s good to see Franky as the effeminate dominated husband, after all the evil characters he plays in other tiatrs this season. Lawry does a cameo. Sally is the uncle who provides humour and also joins Semica, Myron, and Richard in the comic acts. Aleka does quite a funny character in the comedy.
The band is led by Norman Cardozo on the keyboard. The young ladies in the band provide great music. There is Madonna on saxophone, Jeslyn on trumpet, Stacy on the bass, and Fevila on drums. Aleka renders the opening song and is joined by members of the band in the singing. There are songs by Roma, Antonette, Saby de Divar, Richard, Myron, Jr. Reagan, Sammy Tavares, and others. Special mention has to be made of the solo by Lawry Travasso, acknowledging the support of the back stage workers and the audience.