What does one get when humour is tastefully mixed with an insightful social message? Perhaps, a play that eggs you to think. Based along similar lines, Nimi Ravindran, a city-based director, has conjured up Park — an English play which revolves around three men in Bengaluru, three benches and their petty squabble over their need for space. In a candid chat, the team tells us more...
“The play is reflective of everything that is relevant to a city like Bengaluru. This humour drama isn’t just restricted to three men fighting over trivial issues. It’s about helping people broaden their perspective, through a context which highlights issues of self-centredness and intolerance in a lighter vein,” enthuses Nimi, who’s prepped about unveiling the English adaptation of the Hindi play, which was originally written by renowned theatre director Manav Kaul. While the play is set against the backdrop of a park, the idea is far from being restricted to just one location.
Encomprising three male actors, Park has a smattering of elements that will engage people of all ages. “When we got things started, the intent was to put together a play that gets a Bengalurean, irrespective of their age, to think. It’s more like a reflective (look) of the city, which has undergone a sea change just before our eyes!” opines Nimi.
Interestingly, the actors are stoked about how the idea of putting a social message out has been crafted rather intelligently. Speaking about the same, Jimmy Xavier, one of the protagonists’ adds, “ Working on a play that’s situationally funny and where the parallel is then drawn by the playwright was an experience in itself. The urban fight for space hits home. As an actor, what I particularly like about the concept is that it’s not pointless fun that will be projected. There was a clear vision in place, and we wish to bring that to the viewers.”
A work by the Sandbox Collective Production, the idea, in a nutshell, is to tickle your funny bone, while triggering the thinker in you. “Personally, on the pretext of fighting for space, the three men essay some of the most commonly plagues issues in the society. We believe it’s something that will strike a chord with everyone. Because, personally, we’re all on the pursuit to get the larger piece, overlooking the hazards and the brunt we invariably experience owing to the desire for more,” concludes Ashish Dabreo, one of the actors.
— The play will be staged till October 30 at Jagriti Theatre at 3 pm, 6.30 pm and 8 pm on all days.
