Pio Esteves
The curtains came up for the 4th edition of Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG)’s All Goa Inter Collegiate/HSS Tiatr Competition 2024-25 with the staging of tiatr ‘Uddtta To Buddtta’ presented by DCT’s SS Dempo College of Commerce & Economics, Cujira.
Tiatr ‘Uddtta To Buddtta’ written and directed by Antonet de Sousa, focuses on the dictum ‘Pride has a fall’. It has a story to relate, with a flashback wherein the writer tries to convey that history should not be repeated in life among the generations to come.
Curtains unfold to a scene wherein Darius (Chris Cardozo), who receives ample offers for tiatrs and films, throws a party to all his friends. Friends continue enjoying alcohol at the cost of Darius and there’s no end to the entertainment. Darius' grandfather Raymond (Webster de Sousa) comes out and tries to stop it all.
Raymond drives away all the friends of Darius and warns his grandson of a disaster in life if he continues in the same state of mind. And he tries to share his story which had a miserable ending. In a flashback, Raymond too enjoyed name and fame after he made entry into tiatrs and then in films. Vivianna (Velriza Pereira), who had a soft corner for Raymond while serving as his personal secretary.
Over a period of time, Raymond decides to get engaged, but he puts the engagement ring on Juliana (Freeda Rebelo)’s finger. After marriage, Juliana focuses more on her career, thus neglecting Raymond.
Overconfidence and pride leads to Raymond losing several offers in forthcoming films. Unable to bear insults, Vivianna quits her job. Juliana gets an offer to go to Paris. Now, what is Raymond’s fate? Who will assist him to get back on the right track?
Tiatr ‘Uddtta To Buddtta’ has a story to relate, depicting various life situations and events unfolding in every scene. In the end, it also carries a lesson to the viewers.
The artistes on stage have given their best performance in varied characters. Lead actor, Webster, stood tall in his dual role, while Velriza looked confident in her character, portraying her emotions well in the concluding scene. Freeda, Chris and others extended good support to the main cast.
In the comic acts, there was Issac (Flannan Pereira), Parki (Shawn Noronha) and Geetanjali (Bhargavi Haldankar). But Shawn stood out among all and Flannan’s acts could have been brought under control.
In the category of songs, there were good renditions in the form of a solo, trio, quartets, duos and duets with good subjects. But one duet ‘Aik Bhoinni’ though rendered flawlessly, did not suit to the category of college students.
The stage sets, including the light effects, were fairly good. But the background music, especially in the concluding scene, was too loud, depriving the audience to follow the dialogues on stage. The costumes were apt to the period of time and situations. With a little of polishing and fine tuning in the direction, it would have made a good presentation.