When she was in Class VII at Fatima Convent High School, Margao, Janice Vallie Cardoz, originally from Navelim, received an offer from noted director Roseferns to showcase her talent in his tiatr ‘Tumchinch Bhurgim’. But her father was reluctant as he didn’t want her education to suffer in any way. Then in 2010, when Peter/Roshan came up with their tiatr, ‘Zanvoim Raza’, Janice accepted their invitation and started off as a comedienne. She paired with comedian Brian, Peter de Macazana and Cyril Almeida for the same. Then, in Jr Reagan’s tiatr ‘Teddy Bear’, she had to prove her theatrical skills, but this time around, in a negative role. Thereafter, Mini Mario roped her in for one of his Lenten shows.
In 2012, Menino de Bandar welcomed this energetic artiste in his tiatr ‘He Vantte Dhormache’. Impressed by her acting and singing skills, the same director presented her to the audience in the tiatr ‘Desak Lutti Nakat’.
Met with the new responsibilities and experiences of motherhood, this budding tiatrist took a break from the stage for almost one and a half years. In 2014, she decided to join Menino de Bandar’s troupe in his tiatr ‘Maim’. In the same year, during Lent, she acted for Anthony de Ambajim’s troupe in the show ‘Jezuk Khursar Marinakat’.
Along with the presentation of the tiatr ‘Maim’, when Menino de Bandar decided to direct and stage late Rosario Rodrigues’ non-stop show ‘Hanv Kallokant Sanddlim’, Janice took it up as a challenge and proved her calibre on the Konkani stage. Commenting about handling two different roles simultaneously, i.e. a negative role in ‘Maim’ and a lead role in ‘Hanv Kallokant Sanddlim’, Janice says, “That’s what tiatrists are made up of, to accept and excel in every part that is offered to you.”
More than any other role on stage, Janice is much more comfortable in negative roles. “I am a big fighter cock at home, especially with my husband. But it’s just at the spur of the moment,” she admits, adding, “And so my husband is also of the opinion that I will do justice to the negative roles. And the audience does appreciate you in negative roles. Anyone can take up lead or supportive roles. But you require guts to enact negative roles.”
Being in Menino de Bandar’s troupe for the past 4 years, this director is a father figure to Janice. “He cares for me and I reciprocate by respecting him. But more than anything else, it’s the support of my husband Severino that suffices to fulfil my dreams on stage. That deep bond of love, understanding and trust helps me give my best to tiatrs,” she asserts.
Plans are afoot to produce a VCD based on her family life in the future. Janice strongly opposes tiatrists seeking fame by throwing light on the lives of others. “When you are a sinner, how dare you crucify others on the cross?” she asks.
With regard to present day tiatrs, she says, “The audience should support all the directors. Also, if directors only choose to work with old, established actors, how will the newcomers find entry, recognition and excel? The professionals should realise that they too have reached great heights after ground work.”
