To encourage viewership on stage, I’ve decided to write honest reviews of whatever play I watch so that it’ll be easy for you to plan for a theatrical performance on weekends. Also, I’ll suggest everyone at least visit the theatre not to watch a movie but a theatrical play and see the actors in Flesh and Blood acting before you without retakes or editing. I assure you- the experience will be one of a kind.
Title: Tajmahal ka Tender
Playwright: Ajay Shukla
Genre: Satirical comedy
Theatre: Abhimanch Auditorium, National School of Drama (NSD)
Ticket price: Starts from 200/- and is available on Bookmyshow. It can be also collected from NSD.
Duration: Approx 2 hrs
Language: Hindi
Produced by: Repertory Company
Intermission: 10 minutes
Things to do: Snacks during breaks, admire the beauty of NSD, take a look at the bookshop
Theatre
It was my second time in the Abhimanch Auditorium of NSD. This auditorium is equipped with all the modern facilities including digital technology to a certain extent. The crowd was mixed. Since NSD is an acting college, the students reading there also joined the play by sitting near the stairs and other empty spaces. You’ll get balcony tickets at the back when spending the minimum amount. However, the actors are visible and audible enough to enjoy the performance. Watching a play at NSD, the centre of dramatic arts is always a unique feeling.
Props
Sufficient enough to assist the play. Neither too much nor too less. One can see this in the picture below.
Play
Using history as the theme, pertaining to the Mughal era and the reign of Shahjahan and Aurangzeb, this play is a satirical comedy that comments on the prevalent corruption in terms of unnecessary delays, the issue of bribery, the hoarding of money by the contractors, the inferior quality of materials used when government official are involved in constructing a building. Red Tapism is another issue highlighted in the play. A great deal of contemporaneity has been introduced by altering the dialogues of the play with the current issue or ongoing politics which resonates with the present, thus enhancing the audience’s engagement.
The play has been supplemented by a subplot, modern in the sense that acts as an interlude to the main plot. It also satirises the evils existing in society but is different from the main plot as it doesn’t draw anything from history. The members of the play also act as Chorus toward the end and comment on the overall plot of the play through songs.
Techniques
Usual play with lights and sounds. The scene change is done with captivating sound. At a point in the play when a ghost enters, the lights start blinking profusely followed by smoke. The voice is also modulated to resemble to ghostly figure.
Remark
The play captivates the audience with plenty of action and humourous dialogue. I would suggest to watch this play at the first opportunity.
Let me know your opinions if you’ve already watched this play. Put your questions and queries in the comment box.
©Shashank
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