Written by Edmund Vaz, directed by Samir Gadekar and presented by Merxechim Porzollith Kirnnam, Merces, tiatr ‘Dhirvem’ highlights the bond among childless couples that needs to be strengthened through love, trust and understanding.
After five years of marriage, Janice (Pauly D’Mello) fails to bear a child and her husband Eddie (Casiano Eddie D’Souza), who is an engineer by profession, cannot take it any longer. To avoid humiliation, he seeks to divorce his wife.
As Janice does not wish to compromise on the issue, Eddie opts for another alternative – a live-in relationship with Dale (Zaneta Picardo). He welcomes Dale along with her handicapped brother Jason (Mohinish Vernekar) in his house.
Eddie’s father Roldao (Samir Gadekar), who is a lawyer in the High Court, cannot stand the mess in his house and convinces his stubborn son to give up the extra-marital relationship. But his son’s aggressiveness prompts Roldao to make a will of succession wherein a major share of the property goes to Janice.
When family doctor (Carlos Fernandes) steps in, the truth about the defect in Eddie comes to light. Meanwhile, Dale becomes pregnant and Eddie is all excited.
But whose child is it? Is Jason Janice’s brother or is he faking the relationship? How and when does the hard truth come to light? How does the reunion of Eddie and Janice take place? What is Dale’s fate? These queries find answers only in the concluding scene.
‘Dhirvem’ speaks about childless couples and the rift that follows between such spouses, besides live-in relationships prevalent in today’s society. The story follows smoothly in the first half with developments one after another. But the comedy, outside the main plot, introduced in the second-last scene was unwarranted.
Samir Gadekar stands tall in his role as a strict father. He has been ably assisted by Casiano Eddie D’Souza, who plays his character with gusto and style. Pauly as the victim of humiliation is convincing and demands instant sympathy. Zaneta as Dale could have been more expressive. Carlos Fernandes displays command in the doctor’s role. Mohinish Vernekar has done full justice to his disabled character.
Initially, Shekhar Usgaonkar as the driver and Feema Fernandes as the cook team well for some good lighter moments. But Siddesh Mandrekar and Sanjavi Rama Kerkar’s entry brings in an overdose of comedy on stage.
In the category of songs, the opening chorus by Meenoshka Dias, Frenzie Rodrigues, Sheryl Vaz and Movin Fernandes, solos by Hashvaine Fernandes and Joliza Fernandes, a duet by Pascoal Pereira and Saviona Rodrigues and a trio by Dionis Mendes, Rozelle Almeida and Agnelo Silveira were appealing to the ears.
The stage sets by Ditta Gomes need to be commended; the execution of lights by Vicky Andrade, besides the background music by Mahesh Parab could have been improved.
