Tiatr: Khobro
Cast: Regina, Betty Alvares, Jack de Colva, Clint, Mario, Gladstone, Sonali, Walter, Bladwin
Director: Mini Mario
Band: Nova (saxophone), Eshban (trumpet), Elinton (keyboard), Veliston (bass), Glen (drums)
Stage/Lights: Anthony de Ambaji/Dinesh
Story: Rosario (Jack de Colva) and Albertin (Betty Alvares) are blessed with a daughter, Seema (Regina). Seema crosses paths with a roadside lover-boy, Romeo (Clint), who takes advantage of her and leaves her. What is her fate?
Review:
Albertin plays an active role in various church activities, but it seems she has an ulterior motive. She is also involved in small Christian communities in her parish. And while she is busy with all this, her husband, Rosario, has no choice but to handle household chores, which he does diligently.
It’s not long before people start gossiping about Albertin, bringing out a number of personal tales. Albertin realises her folly and wishes to rectify her wrongs, expressing fidelity towards her husband.
Albertin and Rosario’s only daughter, Seema, gets entangled with Romeo who rapes her, leaving her depressed and dejected. Her mother decides to get her married and finds a suitable match in Savio (Gladstone), who has returned from abroad.
Initially, Savio is unperturbed about Seema’s past and is keen on marrying her. But will something happen that will force him to change his mind? Will a ghost from the past return to haunt Seema’s future?
Mini Mario’s tiatr ‘Khobro’ revolves around the act of gossiping that is prevalent in most communities. It now seems to have spread to small Christian communities in every parish. Efforts have been made to highlight its consequences. But it could have been presented in a more impactful manner, especially in the second half.
Betty Alvares as the mother delivered her role with confidence, but Jack de Colva as her spouse looked more comical. He would have paired well with comical trio – Bladwin, Walter and Sonali – who made efforts to bring in laughter among the audience. Mario as the priest delivered in style. Regina appeared cool in her simpleton character. In the negative role, Clint did full justice in terms of dialogue delivery.
In the category of songs, except for two chorals by Bladwin, Valencio, Conception and Clint and another political song by Mini Mario, Jack de Colva and Valencio, which received encores, the other songs were solely solos, dominated by male performers. A duet or a solo by female artistes would’ve made a big difference.
