PANJIM: Life is filled with problems. If one gets solved, another arises. But, love, faith, patience, understanding and forgiveness can solve many problems. This is the message conveyed in Alfredo Fernandes tiatr ‘Problem’.
After facing strong opposition from family members, beginning with the mother (Tracila Gonsalves) to elder brother Theo (Alfred Fernandes) and sister-in-law Maisie (Ciena Furtado), Lara (Mathew de Souza) enters the house with his wife Tara (Aveena Pereira). The opposition to them continues, with false accusations.
On the other hand, Theo and Lara are sacked from their respective jobs for their negligent and lackadaisical attitude at work. Now, how will the two brothers sustain their respective families? Big problem!
Unable to stand the huge debt and pay back the bank loan taken to treat his ailing, aging mom and to marry his younger brother, Theo takes to alcoholism. But will that solve the problem? Living a degraded life, Theo encounters a Good Samaritan, who is willing to solve all his problems, but for a price.
Tiatr ‘Problem’ has a crisp script, with sleek direction. Issues pertaining to day-to-day life have been highlighted and tackled diligently. Umpteen problems encountered at the workplace, among the family members stand out prominently throughout the drama. Illiteracy regards modern technology, forceful marriage also pave way to problems.
Tracila acts well as the ailing mother, ably assisted by Ciena Furtado and Arantxa Azavedo. Teenager Flannon Ferrao is apt in his handicapped act. Diptesh and Prasad Harmalkar do justice to their roles. Keegan D’Costa and Roberto Heredia are expressive. But Alfredo Fernandes wins over every other artiste for his impressive role as a depressed husband. Aveena Pereira is perfect with her Hindu accent and acting. Mathew entertains with his timely comical acts.
In the songs, solos by Elvis Mascarenhas, Jovienne Fernandes, Oshin and Gigi Fernandes, duet by Diptesh Harmalkar and Kimberly D’Mello, duo by Evaristo Rodrigues and Nevil Cardozo and a quartet by Ciena, Gigi, Kimberly and Jovienne are appealing to the ears.
Stage sets by Kishore Naik and light execution by Ratnakar Salgaonkar deserve a special mention. Senon de Souza and his band of boys provided good music, besides background music ably handled by Lenoy Gomendes.
