MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024
Pio Esteves
The concluding day of Kala Academy’s 9th Tiatr ‘B’ Group Competition witnessed the tiatr ‘Mhaka Salvar Kor’ written and directed by Carmo Judas Savio Pacheco and presented by Pacheco’s Dramatic And Cultural Association, Curtorim Salcete.
The story revolved around Raymond (Carmo Pacheco), his wife Sara (Venita D’Costa), son Ryan (Cryuf Pereira) and daughter Rhea (Sonia Travasso). Ryan gets a call to go abroad, but he shows an inclination to become a priest.
Rhea is in love with Desmond (Alister Costa), who claims that his father is in the US and he has several maids at his service. But Raymond warns his daughter about the bad character of her fiancé.
An unusual incident prompts Desmond to give up on Rhea and she is depressed. After a while Rhea goes missing and frantic efforts to trace her go futile. Meanwhile, Desmond tries his luck on another girl Cia (Joan Fernandes), but she is shrewd and does not give in easily.
Cia is found murdered and with all the evidence by the police inspector Joe (Joaquim D’Costa), Fr Ryan is found guilty and imprisoned. What follows next is worth the watch during the second half of the drama.
Tiatr ‘Mhaka Salvar Kor’ had a story to relate, with many developments taking place as the plot progressed in every scene. But there were equally a few hitches here and there. The entire presentation on stage reflected a commercial tiatr.
As guardians, Carmo and Venita played their roles comfortably, while Cryuf and Sonia displayed talent on stage as siblings. Alister stood out as the villain, while Joan and Milburn were at ease with their characters. Joaquim as the police inspector was in command.
In the comic acts, Redo (Dylan) and Petul (Sandra) tried to entertain with their laughter pills, but exaggeration and overacting followed. In some scenes, there were some actors who were raising the voices unnecessarily and which could have been controlled easily.
With regards to stage setting, there was poor execution on stage, especially the venue of the priest. More efforts could have been laid on the same for better presentation.
In the section of songs, the opening song by siblings, Swena and Swizel Vaz was appealing to the ears. Solos by Selvin, Swena Vaz and a quartet that followed thereafter carried good messages. Live music offstage by Mauvin and his team helped the singers to sing gracefully.
The stage sets were worked upon by Clint Pacheco, while Agostinho Fernandes handled the lights. Background music was provided by Sanford.
