The young blood of tiatr

Born on January 11, 1987, Broyan Joanita Fernandes, popularly known as comedian Bryan on the Konkani stage, is the son of versatile writer, director, singer, lyricist and character artiste Peter de Benaulim, and the grandson of the legendary khell tiatr specialist Francisco Thembo.

Hailing from the picturesque village of Carmona, Bryan made his debut on the tiatr stage at the tender age of 13, when he rendered a song composed by his father for a Mother’s Day programme staged in the parish of Benaulim. “In appreciation for the rendition, the then parish priest, Fr Santan Carvalho, offered me an apple,” he recollects.        

At the age of 12, his father decided to introduce him in his audio cassette, ‘Daddy’,in a duo with himself.“During that period,my examinations were underwayand my dad told me to answer my exams and get ready to appear at Whitney Studio in Margao.Out of sheer excitement,I copied the entire question paper on the answer sheet and left the classroom at the earliest,”Bryan recalls.

“No doubt,” Bryan confesses, “I failed in my exams, but I was really content to be a part of my dad’s audio production.” At a very young age, during Christmas celebrations near Livrament Saibinn church, he got his first break on the stage in a one-act play of Seby Pinto of Benaulim, wherein he showcased his acting skills as a villain.

When his father, Peter, would stage his tiatrs ‘Sakristanv’, ‘Upas’ and several others, Bryan would assist him as stage manager. When late Rosario Rodrigues came out with his non-stop production ‘Sat ani Atth’, there was no lights man to assist. That’s when comedian Convy, sister of Peter Fernandes, inquired with Bryan if he would like to assist with light sets. He obliged and handled everything efficiently as all the equipment was readily available.

Besides handling the light designs, when Rosario penned his tiatr ‘Amkam Soglleank Zai’, Bryan was given with a minor role of a beggar and he received appreciation from the audience and artistes alike. Before passing away, the tiatr ‘Chiklantlim Salkam’ penned by Rosario and directed by Maxie had only one comedian, Caetan Bebo. Comedian 64 was introduced and Bryan made an entry as a girl, rendering the famous song ‘Hot, Hot, Hot’.

For the next season, Maxie penned and directed the tiatr ‘Amchi Tan Bagoiat’. During this period, comedian 64 quit and comedian Bebo was again left alone to handle the comedy. “My director advised me to give up light designs and take up comedy. From there my journey as a comedian took route and progressed,” he informs proudly.

After performing as a comedian in another two tiatrs penned by Maxie, Bryan joined Menino de Bandar’s dramatic troupe and acted with comedian Janet in tiatr ‘Khorench hanv Fattim Pavlom’. The Bryan-Janet combination clicked and it moved forward in full swing, with moral support from each other.

Thereafter, Bryan featured in Menino de Bandar’s tiatrs ‘Uzvaddan Bodol’lim Kallokhi Kupam’, ‘Ho Uzo Paloiat’, ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Dha Lakh’ and several others. He also had the opportunity to showcase his comedy skills in Roseferns’ tiatr ‘Goykara Tum Ragar Zainaka’, wherein he brushed his shoulders with Sally and Seby.

Bryan admits that he clicked as a full-fledged comedian and was well accepted by the audience in Roseferns tiatr ‘Mhaka Zabab Di’, wherein he rendered a song ‘Pittipitti’, which was penned by his father. He also featured in the same director’s tiatrs ‘Mhaka Kiteak Poddlam’, ‘Moga Oslem Hatiar Na’, ‘Bhurgim Tim, Bavlim Nhoi’, with his last appearance in tiatr ‘Chol Iea London’.  

Except for John D’Silva and Prince Jacob, Bryan has acted as a comedian for almost all the tiatr directors. He made an entry in his parents’ Peter/Roshan production ‘Goem Soddun Pavle Ghanttar’, followed by 12 other tiatrs.

During his enactment in Peter/Roshan’s tiatr ‘Pilot’ in Mumbai, Bryan met with an accident and injured his leg. During the period of recuperation, he missed his parents’ new production ‘I Love You’. All the same, with the help of crutches, he assisted with the background music in shows staged in Davorlim and Benaulim.

On recovery from injury, Bryan made a comeback in Peter/Roshan’s tiatr ‘Novro’ released for Easter and he was well accepted by the audience, with completion of 51 shows.

Besides his contribution in his father’s seven VCDs, Bryan has also featured in productions by comedian Janet, Ambe, Richard, Lawry Travasso, Manfa, Casiano D’Costa, Marcus Vaz and others. When his dad decided to release VCD ‘Surya’, he assisted and managed the shooting independently, with a handycam purchased in Kuwait by his father.

Besides touring in Maharashtra, Karanataka, Pune, Mangalore and Delhi in India, Bryan had opportunities to visit Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar.

For his contribution as a comedian, Bryan won the Dr Jack Sequeira’s ‘Best Comedian’ award for tiatr ‘Mhaka Zabab Di’ in 2009. In 2012, he was conferred with the title ‘Mr Bean of Konkani stage’ by St Sebastian Festival Committee, Nuvem.

In 2014, the Good ShepherdOrganisation, Raia felicitated Bryan as ‘Best Youth Comedian’. For his success as comedian on the Konkani stage, he is grateful for the continuous support received from his parents, Peter and Roshan, and brother, Benzer.