Tiatr: Kaklut Mhoji Kor
Cast: Jaju, Dola, Roshan, Peter, Pascoal, Damian, Sweden, Cajetan de Curtorim, Gabby, Humbert, Agostinho, Evon
Director: Willy Silveira
Band: Selwyn, Chris (trumpet), Ivo (drums), Arif (keyboard), Fexson (bass)
Story: As Mathew (Jaju) and Magdalen (Dola) prepare extensively for their daughter’s First Holy Communion, Mark (Pascoal) and Martha (Roshan) gear up for the birth of their first child. The child is born with certain disabilities. Will the couple accept the child, or reject it?
Review:
The curtains open to focus on four candles lit in the dark, representing peace, faith, love and hope. Mathew and Magdalen are busy with the preparations of their only daughter’s First Holy Communion. But a surprise visit by the parish priest (Benny de Aldona) discourages them. Elsewhere, Martha prepares for her first delivery. Her husband, Mark, a man full of pride,is the younger brother of Mathew. He spots a blind man on the street and treats him with disdain. He also despises his employer.
When Martha delivers a boy, Mark’s joy doubles. But it is short-lived after the doctor’s reveals that the child is visually impaired and will have trouble walking. Mark begins to hate the baby. Even as he grows, Royston’s (Sweden) entry into the family is considered a bad omen as Mathew and Mark encounter instant failures in life. All the members of the household wish to be rid of the boy, except Martha.
When everyone in the family decides to get rid of Royston, Martha takes the bold step of going with her child. The mother-son relationship strengthens as they move into a small hut and carry on with their lives. Then Martha crosses paths with a stranger (Peter) and she soon sees a change in fate as success comes her way.
Will Royston ever get his vision? Who helps him find a new beginning? What happens when his life turns for the better? Whom does he meet then? What is the fate of Mark? Will he realise his folly?
‘Pride has a fall’, this adage is apt to Willy Silveira’s first tiatr during the Lenten season. It calls for deep reflection on how differently abled children are treated. They are unique creations of God and nobody has the right to decide their future. Besides a family story, biblical quotes, both from the Old and New Testament, with scenes and a running mention about the good deeds of Mother Teresa find place in the Lenten show.
Jaju and Dola, Roshan and Pascoal team up as couples. But among the foursome, it is Roshan who wins hearts for the selfless character that she plays. Sweden plays his role as a differently abled boy quite confidently, with prompt dialogue delivery. Damian as a blind man delivers with ease. As a friend, Cajetan de Curtorim appears cool in his character.
In the comic interludes, Humbert, Agostinho and Evon are entertaining. Check the episode wherein Agostinho plays the doctor’s role and Hubert as his patient and how the former wins over the latter in every medical case.
Songs wrapped in the Lenten show are appealing with solos by Mini Mario, Benny de Aldona, Cajetan de Curtorim, Pascoal Rodrigues, Benzer, a duet by Peter/Roshan, trios by Mini Mario, Gabby and Evon, Roshan, Benzer and Peter, a quartet by Benny, Willy, Jaju and Dola and a concluding duo by Benny de Aldona and Cajetan de Curtorim, which receives an encore.
The stage sets need to be commended, besides light effects by Ratna. The live music and background score by Selwyn and his team was good.
