Grandparents always have a special affection towards their grandchildren. It is a unique relationship which is inseparable.
More than the parents, grandchildren learn the values for life from their grandparents. And consequently, despite the age gap, those ties are deeply rooted in the mind and heart of both.
Retired DySP Sammy Tavares’ monsoon tiatr, Grandma, focuses on the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. The distinct and irreplaceable bond that prevails between them has been underlined in the drama.
ABOUT THE TIATR
The story is about Kevin (Franky Gonsalves), his spouse Olga (Antonette de Maina) and their disabled child (Aliva). Kevin’s aged mother (Roma) resides with the family.
The grandmother and grandchild have a special bond, and it is very close. They care for each other in their own little way, and it is obviously expressed in the family.
Kevin is concerned about his fragile mother, but simultaneously, he is entwined with his dictatorial wife.
On account of his strict wife, Kevin cannot express himself freely to his mother. And, instead of focusing on her family and disabled child, Olga is always preoccupied with other things that interest her.
Olga ill-treats her mother-in-law, and gets all the household work done from her. She waits every single opportunity to do something hateful to her and condemn her.
One fine day, the grandmother takes seriously ill and is confined to a wheelchair. Ill-treatment continues from the daughter-in-law, but affection pours in from the grandchild.
As Olga is forced to do all the housework, what is the next step that she takes with regard to her ailing mother-in-law? Will that drastic step help in the growth of the immobilised grandchild?
BEHIND THE SCENES
The tiatr, Grandma, has a good concept and it could have progressed in the first half. But, it gains momentum only in the second half, with a gradual climax in the last scene.
There are fine performances from all the commercial artistes. Roma plays a sympathetic role as a grandmother, while Antonette de Maina displays a negative role.
As the spouse, Franky Gonsalves extends good support to the cast. There's a child artiste, Aliva, as a disabled child, and she is the centre of attention for the audience.
Jr Reagan and Aleka make a cameo appearance and are comfortable on stage. The scene before the interval is worth the watch.
For some laughter pills, there’s comedian Sally with Samica; Myron and Richard and all of them have the capacity to make the audience laugh.
In the category of renditions, Aleka steps on stage for the opening song, but there’s novelty on stage with wind instrumentalists, Madonna and Jeslyn, hopping on stage to continue with the song.
Fevila on the drums also assists with the rendition.
Solos from Lawry Travasso (a tribute to Minguel Rod, M Boyer and William de Curtorim), Jr Reagan, Roma and Sammy Tavares (a true testimony) are appealing to the ears.
There are other songs by Richard and Myron; Antonette de Maina and Jr Reagan; Roma and Antonette de Maina.
A political solo by Saby de Divar, another song by Lawry and Saby de Divar and a rendition by Jr Reagan, Richard and Myron receive encores from the audience.
A quartet went amiss in the drama. The live music offstage, led by Norman Cardozo, and the band of girls – namely Madonna (saxophone), Jeslyn Rodrigues (trumpet), Stacy (bass), Fevila (drums) – deserve appreciation.
Cardozo has also assisted with the background music.
Anthony de Ambaji has assisted with the stage sets and the lights have been handled tactfully by Dinesh.