Tiatr: Jivit Amchem Oxem
Cast: Joe de Dicarpale, Dola, Meena, Pierson, Caziton de Cacora, Dominic, Nato, Reeza, Sally, Agnel, Mario
Director: Francis de Dicarpale
Band: Anthony de Velim, Miles (trumpet), Ashley (keyboard), Dafflon (drums), Sheldon (bass)
Story: Jose (Joe de Dicarpale) and Maria (Dola) love their adopted son, Valencio (Caziton de Cacora), but their biological children, Velan (Pierson) and Valanka (Meena), are unwilling to accept him. Why? And what will be the end result?
Review:
As Jose and Maria are childless, they make a trip to Madras and pray fervently to Our Lady of Valankanni. They come upon a child, whom they adopt as their own. As the child, Valencio, grows as part of their family, Jose and Maria realise that their son is of the third gender, a transgender.
Although the couple is blessed with two more children, Velan and Valanka, their love for Valencio does not decrease and they accept his reality. But his siblings don’t share the sentiment and despise their adopted brother, openly insulting him with offensive words in front of their parents.
Velan, who is jobless, soon resorts to drinking and gambling, while his sister, Valanka, becomes a party animal. One day, Velan steals money from his father’s pocket. When questioned, nobody is willing to admit the fault.
Finally, Valencio takes the blame on him in order to save the skin of his brother. To avoid further insults and humiliations from his siblings, he decides to leave the house and go far away.
Will Velan and Valanka admit their folly and rectify their wrongs? Who shelters Valencio? Will there be a reunion in the family?
Francis de Dicarpale’s tiatr ‘Jivit Amchem Oxem’ is based on a true life story, where acceptance of God’s creation is highlighted. The director lays stress on creation of the third gender in families and how they too need to be treated like any other family member.
As guardians, Joe de Dicarpale and Dola have played their respective roles with ease. As spoilt brats, Pierson and Meena display their characters with gusto. As a transgender, Caziton de Cacora is at the forefront, but his body language could have been more expressive. Dominic is apt in priestly robe and delivers his speech in style.
In the comic acts, Nato, Reeza, Sally, Agnel and Mario come together as a comical quintet, and they do entertain with some good laughter pills. But among them, Agnel is the best for his indifferent speech. The wrestling scene with Desmond and Nato in the ring deserves a special mention.
In the category of songs, Edward, Tony de Ribandar, Agusto de Calangute, Jr Reagan, Pierson entertain with solos; there’s a duet by Tony de Ribandar and Meena, a duo by Nato and Agnel and a trio by Tony, Caziton and Agusto, which receive an encore. Several solos could have been accompanied by another duo or a duet and a quartet or a choral for a good package.
