Category: Comedy

Class of ’84

The play is about a group of eight friends who graduated in 1984, who drifted apart over the years. Seven of the group finally are together today, at the funeral of their friend Jojo. Jojo was the soul and leader of the group in their college days. He arranged protests, was involved in social causes and stood up for their friends. The seven characters portray various sections of the society – Sanjay – a wealthy MNC banker, Raveena – a housewife, Raghu – regional filmmaker, Sarah – a Page 3 journalist, Fuzzy – Spritiual Vaastu Expert, Cyrus – a rich Parsi, and Bobby (Rajit Kapur) – a TV Actor. The over-night discussion at Sanjay’s holiday home uncovers the plot and several secrets of their own. Jojo’s death, and his last years, however, remain mystery to all.

The play is directed well and the acts flow smoothly. the actors are veteran, and having completed 1000+ shows now, deliver the play with ease. The set is simply designed, as Sanjay’s holiday home, and also reminisce of college benches in parts.

It is one of the most popular plays around – the play has completed 1000+ shows and is running strong for many years now. But as you might agree, the most popular things need not be the best. And this holds for this play as well – the play is decent watch at best. The play’s popularity and the acceptance is supported by simplicity of the play and in parts, the connect with the audience who may reminisce about the college days and groups at moments.

AglaPlay Verdict: A decent play
AglaPlay Rating: 3/5
Language: English
Duration: 1 Hour 30 minutes+ (Approx.)
Writer:  Rahul da Cunha 
Director:  Rahul da Cunha
Cast: Rajit Kapur,
Shernaz Patel, Rituraj,
Radhika da Cunha, Zafar,
Sohrab A, Joy and
Dipika Roy.

Below are few relevant links. 

Writer's Perspective on the Play

Hamlet – The Clown Prince

This is another play in the series of clown plays written and directed by Rajat Kapoor. The play involves clowns who are planning to perform the play Hamlet. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is one of his most renowned works, which is intricate, long and tragic. Our cute, lovely clowns fight over the casting, and end up misinterpreting the original Hamlet. The dialogues are funny, filled with contemporary references.

The play is must watch and wholly entertaining. The character of Clown Claudius in particular gets the best moments and was portrayed very well. The setup, and the flow of the play is impeccable as expected from Rajat Kapoor.

Two words of caution though – 1) please read a summary or the story of the original play. While the original’s key themes of murder, procrastination and revenge are retained, parts of this play may not be fully enjoyed if you do not know the original. 2) Many dialogues, particularly the start is in pure Gibberish. They are NOT meant to be understood. So don’t worry if you don’t catch a few sentences here and there.

On these two fronts, the play also deviates from others of Rajat’s plays where the story is either summarized at one point or the other, or is not much relevant to the understanding of the play. Also, Gibberish is contained in very brief portions of the other presentations unlike in this one.

AglaPlay Verdict: Must Watch
AglaPlay Rating: 4/5
Language: English, Gibberish
Duration: 1 Hour 30 minutes (Approx.)
Writer:  Rajat Kapoor 
Inspired from: Shakespeare / Hamlet
Director: Rajat Kapoor
Cast: Vinay Pathak,
Kalki Kochelin & Others

Below are few relevant links. 

Behind the scenes
A collation of the Reviews
Complete Play [Original]
Original play summary

Nothing Like Lear

The performance is one of the ‘clown’ series plays devised by Rajat Kapoor. Borrowing central theme from Shakespearean tragedy ‘King Lear’, it is a comical spoof which retains all the pain and sufferings of the tragic hero of the original. The play is performed by single artist who plays two roles – one of a circus clown, a fool; and the other, of foolhardy hallow King Lear. In instances he picks up the roles of the daughters and other characters. The interweaving of the contemporary (fool) with literature (King) show how relevant and how poignant Shakespeare remain in today’s world. How the characters are still relevant in today’s world even if the kingdoms have long ceased to exist!

The play is done very well. Hats-off to the director Vinay Pathak and performed Vinay Pathak (Atul in few performances) for keep the audience entertained with single performer on stage for around 90 minutes with no props. The play is enjoyable as the clown – the fool – shows his antiques and also digs on contemporary trends. Equally impactful is the portrayal of darkness inside King Lear who is betrayed by her daughters. There is not much in terms of stage decoration and props, which lets audience focus on the character solely.

With all the greatness in the performance and the flawless execution, the play might still not be enjoyed by everyone. For one, the series is NOT Shakespeare’s King Lear – this one is not even an adaption. Secondly, the play uses a lot of references and tells the story in bits and pieces. I am really not sure if a person will be able to understand the story if he/she has not read the play earlier. Thirdly, the acts and dialogues of the ‘fool’ are more like a stand-up comedy and not much play-like. Because of these reasons, I wonder if at least some audience may not like or enjoy it. Make no mistake here, the performance is done very well and is intellectually simulating, but… 

AglaPlay Verdict: Should Watch
AglaPlay Rating: 3/5
Language: English, Gibberish
Duration: 1 Hour 30 minutes (Approx.)
Writer:  Rajat Kapoor 
Inspired from: Shakespeare / King Lear
Director: Rajat Kapoor
Cast: Vinay Pathak

Below are few relevant links. 

Rajat Kapoor Interview
Making of the Play - Rehearsal Series 
Review with Interviews - HT
Complete Play [Original]

Macbeth – What is Done is Done

This is the third imaginative, comical ‘clown’ theme adaptions of Shakespeare plays. The original tragedy is a story of power, greed, betrayal and consequences. Whether you know about the original play or not, is immaterial, as the tragedy of Macbeth is narrated in the first scene itself. What follows is a dark, involving comedy with the clowns as characters. The themes move across the evils that haunt humanity today, as Macbeth was about the evils that haunted the royal class then. Women-safety, racism, greed – even today’s political situation – are jibed at.

Rajat’s witches talk not only of the macabre or the future. They also scorn at our mobile phone uses. Macbeth is changed to Macky B, with a painted face, has a courtroom full of jokers. But mistake not, this Macky B is still haunted by the ghost of Banquo and still paints with the blood of innocents.

Rajat Kapoor does a marvelous job yet again as director. Picking up the underlying themes from the original and creates a whole new experience for audience. The creative freedom is used judiciously where the play borders on the right amount of comedy and darkness. Vinay Pathak as Spanish clown Pedro does an amazing job. Then there is Kalki and Tillotama Shome who put up a great show. Jim Sarbh as Julio is comical, sharp and is fun to watch.

A must watch, this play is easily among the most enjoyable plays around. The play has its shortcomings and may not be liked by certain audience due to the aberrations from the original. With them I will agree, but then, it was never supposed to be! Ranvir Shorey’s portrayal of Macbeth (sorry, Macky B) could have been better, but here again, I cannot judge him as I have not read/watched the original.

AglaPlay Verdict: Must Watch
AglaPlay Rating: 4.5/5
Language: English, Gibberish
Duration: 1 Hour 30 minutes (Approx.)
Writer:  Rajat Kapoor 
Inspired from: Shakespeare / Macbeth  
Director: Rajat Kapoor
Cast: Vinay Pathak (Pedro), 
Ranvir Shorey (Macky B),
Kalki  Koechlin (Witch & more),
Jim Sarbh (Julio), 
Tilotama Shome 
& Others

Below are few relevant links. 

Play trailer 
Review on IndiaWest.com
Macbeth Complete Play [Original, contemporary English]

Ek Mamuli Aadmi

The play tells the story of last few years of Ishwar Chand, a retired man, who recently died. When his son tries to invite his father’s colleagues for the funeral, he receives the rude responses. Even the priest is not interested in attending to the rites. The son is in shock. After all, his father was a common man! What can a common man do to cause angst to so many people? Especially when the departed was such a simpleton as his dad. What is even more surprising that while even the dead’s colleagues excused themselves from attending final rites, there is crowd of seemingly unknown people who have come to pay a final visit. What can a common man do to inspire such respect from so many people? The play answers these questions and more by switching between Ishwar’s flashbacks and his office colleagues’ accounts, as the audience and Ishwar’s son learn about his father he never knew.

The play excels on all parameters. The portrayal of Ishwar by Aanjjan Srivastav is done so well that audience fails to differentiate between the performer and the character. Other characters also act very well, especially Niraj Pandey.

The play is a must watch and among the best performances in Mumbai theatre with an engaging script and tight screenplay. The play evokes complete spectrum of emotions and is highly recommended.

AglaPlay Verdict: Must Watch
AglaPlay Rating: 4.5/5
Language: Hindi 
Duration: 2 Hours (Approx.)
Writer:  Ashok Lal 
Director: Raman Kumar
Cast: Aanjjan Srivastav (Ishwar), 
Pramod Dubey,
Nivedita Baunthiyal,
Shivkant Lakhanpal, 
Akbar Khan, Niraj Pandey
& Others

Below are few relevant links. The play is inspired from Japanese movie ‘Ikuru’ whose trailer link is also provided. 

Play performed by IIM Lucknow 
Review on HT [Potential Spoilers]
Ikuru (1952) Movie Trailer