Everybody loves a good laugh. Laughter and theatre aren’t exactly synonymous, the latter often being associated with more serious issues. Aiming to change that, Cycle Gap Entertainment is putting up two one act comic plays — Wanda’s Visit and Blind Dates, which are sure to set the audience into reels of laughter!
The popular dating app Tinder, which is quite the rage among youngsters today, is mainly what Blind Dates revolve around.
“Youngsters today are so obsessed with swiping right, and going on blind dates. Nobody knows what kind of person the other one is — they can be anybody from a kleptomaniac to somebody who has a split personality. It’s the journey of how the protagonists go on a set of disaster dates before eventually finding each other,” explains Ashwin Sharma, the director of the play, who also has a small role of one of the disaster dates in the play!
“The toughest part though, was to direct myself,” laughs Ashwin. “When onstage, we tend to think we’re doing everything right. To know my mistakes, I would make somebody else take my place and do exactly what I’ve done and then correct myself,” continues the director, who juggles between theatre and an IT job.
Focusing on relevant matters and portraying it in a comical way seems to be the way to go for Cycle Gap! Wanda’s Visit, an adaptation of Christoper Durang’s one act play of the same name was picked as it was very relevant in today’s context.
“Today, we all have exes who have turned into close friends. So people can relate to Jim, Marsha or Wanda,” explains director Akash Ashok, about the play which is about a married couple — Jim and Marsha who have their lives disarrayed with the visit of Wanda – Jim’s high school girlfriend who flirts inappropriately with him!
“Bringing out the comic scenes is quite the task because you have to take into consideration the audience’s expectations, considering the play is an adaptation,” admits Akash, who previously assisted Ashwin Sharma and is making his directorial debut with Wandas’s Visit.
“Our practice sessions happen all through the weekend, and we even squeeze in early morning sessions when we can, as we all juggle with regular jobs, but our passion for theatre,” concludes Akash, who is undoubtedly excited about the play.
So namma ooru, gear up for a one-and-a-half hour session of rib tickles that are both relatable and realistic this weekend!
Wanda’s Visit and Blind Dates will be performed at Alliance Francaise on August 20 at 5 pm and 7.30 pm
