Yesterday at Kala Academy Hall in Panjim, at 7.35 PM I saw the new Tiatro “IN OR OUT” written by Simon Gonsalves who unfortunately was not present to direct his own Tiatro since he had to rush back to London on emergency basis entrusting the task of directing it into the hands of Willy. Though the hall was not packed yet the attendees who attended this Tiatro yesterday were happy to witness this Tiatro and enjoy it.
Singing opening song: Philip Almeida and Comeian Jannet
Simon Gonsalves is a good script writer whom I know in Kuwait where he worked a number of years before migrating to UK a few years back. His specialty lies in a Premkumarian manner in decorating his Tiatros which he staged in Kuwait, in the beautiful Scenes. This is exactly he does also in this Tiatro where he showed some beautiful and impressive scenes namely the Plane flying in the Sky and the accident of the Van.
In Kuwait he beautified a few Tiatros of the late Rosary Ferns with the excellent scenes of which type none has showed before. Though Rosary Ferns Tiatros were really excellent scriptwise and of which type none of the current Tiatrists scripts yet Simon Gonsalves’ beautiful scenes gave an added booster to those few Tiatros.
Xavier Gomes singing his solo
In the photograph printed in the Tickets, the faces of some of the tiatrists printed there did not participate in this Tiatro even though from the photos published they were bound to participate unless the director wants to fool the audience or cheat those tiatrists by simply publishing their photographs without their consent to pull the crowd. This should be stopped henceforth because this is nothing but cheating with intentional chicanery. The organizers and directors of such Tiatros should not think Tatro goers are idiots like them who take the Tiatro goers for granted. And secondly it is also the responsibility of those Tiatrists whose photos are published in the advertisements to see to it that their photos are published with their consent in which case they are obligated to be present for the Tiatros on the stipulated dates. Otherwise they too become the partners in the crime.
Singing his solo "Airportar Pulic Meeting"
Some Tiatrists have dirty habit to accept 2 or even 3 Tiatros on the same day and even at the same time but when their time come to perform they make mess of a their performance thus spoiling their own image and that of the director and organizers.
The story of this Tiatro is nice which gave lot of information of the life in London. It also tells the greatness of Portuguese government of giving Portuguese Passports facility to Goans. The story dwells more time in London and in simple terms it conveys the message saying “if you do good you will go IN Heaven and if you do bad you will go OUT in Hell.
Scene where Willy and Jessica are seen
All the artistes played their part well but Willie and Jessica Gomes gained the hearts of the audience. Jessica played the double role but in the second part of her double role she goofed at many counts. First of all she failed to indicate her status of the mother by not even applying little white powder to her black hair to give a semblance of her advancing in age, neither she did remove her make-up of her first part because of this she looked more younger. While speaking her voice did not sound her to be an elderly woman a mother of a grown-up daughter and her walking posture and pace looked like that of an athlete. Otherwise her role as a spinster and epically in the hospital bed along with Willy was excellent deserving the Rs.2000/- present given to her by a member of the audience.
Singing a quarter: Jannet-Caetan-Philip -Benny
Similarly the role played opposite to her as her husband also the second part in the double role commits the same type of goof otherwise his first part was ok. The role played by attractive Willy was appreciated specially the part he played as a lover of Jessica slipping himself in the arms of his dying lover was excellent.
Cajetan de Curtorm singng his solo
Bunty whom I saw for the first time played his role opposite to Nelishe was good however Nelishe was not audible with clarity and because of this much of her excellence disappeared. Philip Almeida’s role of a Hindu was excellent especially when it reaches to its crescendo where describes his action of killing the politician. But among all, Juju playing the role of a Minister gains the tremendous limelight in this role, his expressions, actions and dress code were superb befitting the Minister’s character. He brought an extra colour to this play.
The comedy part played by all the three ace comedians namely comedian Jannet, comedian Agostinho Temudo and comedian Bach’chan was superb especially in the later part where Bach’chan was at his best while comedian Agostinho was more of a philosophical and comedian Jannet was the supreme in all respect. The most seasoned and experienced comedian she is deserves highest accolades.
Benny de Aldona singing his solo
The director of this Tiatro as per my information was Willie who in the absence of Simon Gonsalves who had to fly back to UK due to unavoidable circumstances deserves compliments for shouldering this responsibility with care and discipline. In this connection, let me recount one most memorable incident of how in an emergency case a last minute substitute director staged a Tiatro in Bombay. It was an incident taken place about 80 years back. The legendary Minguel Rod after getting drunk in Bombay slept on the ground only at Cross Maidan keeping the script with him while going to stage his Tiatro. After waiting for the director Minguel Rod for long and having no other choice and to pacify the restless audience, his right hand man Master Vaz – father of Marcus Vaz – took the responsibility on his shoulders and started the Tiatro under his direction and that too even without the script which was lying with Minguel Rod who was woken up by some of the Tiatro goers returning home after watching this Tiatro.
A comedy scene where Bach'chan-Jannet-Agostinho are seen
The Side Show songs were good in which both the solos of Benny de Aldona were nice especially the second one “Surprise” so also his quarter along with comedian Jannet, Philip Almeida and Cajetan de Curtorim; after a long time I saw a quarter and it looks the revival of quarters is come. Earlier, Alexinho de Candolim used to introduce quarters in his Tiatros. The solo “Tiatrist Director” by Caetan de Curtorim was worth admiring so also “Nossai” by Marcus Vaz and “Tarvotti” by Bunty. But among all the solos, Xavier Gomes’ solo on “Goenchem Ghor” was the best and very informative and meaningful which he rendered with perfect clarity. But the only thing which is not palatable of him was the way he takes his entry with a sprint of an Olympian which I feel not necessary. I am sure he must have noticed how gracefully M. Boyer, Alfred Rose, Remy Colaco and Alexinho de Candolim used to take their entry on the Stage.
Anther scene where willy & Nelishe are seen
My congratulations to Simon Gonsalves for scripting this nice Tiatro and Willy for directing it.
A.Veronica Fernandes.