Cast: Jacinto, Crostina, Caziton de Cacora, Chitra, Justin, Valencia de Macazana, Aliston, Allwyn, Michael
Direction: Jr Reagan
Band: Vitorino Araujo (first trumpet), Theo Alvares (second trumpet), Johnny (keyboard), Daniel (bass), Shelton (drums)
Story: There’s a tussle between Tarzan (Justin) and Miranda, a municipality worker who had borrowed money from him. Vengeance grows only to explode at a later hour.
Review: Jr Reagan’s tiatr ‘Taj Mahal’ is a family drama that borrows the mother/daughter-in-law torture theory from most TV serials. It also has shades of friendship, love, mistrust and many an emotion that one would find in a standard relationship.
As Neil (Caziton de Cacora) is saved by Shaila (Crostina) from a major accident, the two strangers become friends though they are yet to scratch the surface of their feelings for each other.
Over a period of time, Neil’s mother, Marina (Chitra), and sister, Zelia (Valecia de Macazana), find him a match on Facebook. This is when he decides to pick Shaila instead.
When talks over marriage follow between the two parties, it is revealed that Neil’s uncle is none other than Tarzan, while Shaila is the daughter of Miranda. With the help of his sister, Marina, Tarzan decides to take his revenge and ends up welcoming destruction and tragedy.
Shaila ends up as the sacrificial lamb, with umpteen hurdles and heading her way. It’s only when Zelia, who is in love with Jofy (Aliston), encounters a roadblock that the truth surfaces. Reconciliation follows.
Caziton de Cacora and Aliston are endearing and energetic, getting you to warm up to them. Valencia de Macazana is confident and likeable. Chitra does well in displaying her dictatorial skills. Justin excels in the negative role. Watch him when he exclaims after every malicious thought “Ab dekh tamasha is ganje ka”. Crostina draws sighs with the poignant role entrusted to her. But the gorilla’s entry on stage to tame Marina looks too artificial.
Comedians Michael and Allwyn pair together for some laughter pills, but they fail to tickle the funny bone to a great extent.
Jr Reagan’s tiatr has a bundle of songs which are pleasing to the ears. Among them, a duet by Jr Reagan/Chitra ‘Umedh Bhagoinaka’ stands out. If you’re looking out for some romance and tragedy all wrapped into one, then ‘Taj Mahal’ is just the thing for you.
