Venturing in the tiatr field as a writer and director is a big risk as you never know if your first production will click and draw crowds for the show.
But, comedian Brian, son of noted tiatrists Peter/Roshan, took the plunge and came out with his first production, Mhoji Khori Maim, during this monsoon season. And to his good fortune, all the shows have been running housefull till date!
Comedian Brian’s tiatr, Mhoji Khori Maim, is the story of differently-abled child, which is recounted with several scenes of love, compassion, tragedy and sadness.
As the story moves on, the spectators are left glued to their seats, wanting to know what the end will be. And, the entertainer comes to the culmination with a message to all delivered by Fr Milagres Dias.
ABOUT THE TIATR
In the first scene, there is the ailing Rosalia (Aloma), who takes care of her differently-abled son, Melco (Stencio as a child; and comedian Brian as the grown up). Serious about her ailment, she cannot handle it any longer and phones Romeo (Pradeep Naik).
Melco is the child of Romeo outside wedlock. Having been disturbed while attending a meeting, he rushes to Rosalia, all upset. After sometime, Rosalia collapses; and thinking about his differently-abled child, Romeo is in a quandary.
Thoughts of killing him cross Romeo’s mind, but he declines. He finally decides to take him as an orphan to his wife Veloshka (Roshan), and son Jhedan (Daniel as a child; and Benzer as the grown up).
When Melco makes his entry in Romeo’s residence, will he be accepted by those residing there? As two sons of the same blood, how will Romeo treat Melco and Jhedan?
There is Romeo’s driver Bernard (Peter), who comes in with his mute daughter, Ruby (Swizel). He also seeks shelter for her when he is away. What follows next in the family of Romeo is worth watching on stage.
After his mother’s death, Melco is lost and longs for motherly care. Now, will Veloshka be compassionate towards him or will she only bestow love on Jhedan?
On the other hand, Jhedan (Benzer) falls in love with a Mangalorean girl, Raveena (Ester Noronha). Her father is a businessman. Will this love game last long or is there greed for money behind the scenes of lovemaking?
And, when Jhedan finds another lovebird after Raveena, what follows next in the family? Will this relationship last or will it end drastically?
BEHIND THE SCENES
Pradeep Naik has played his role of a guardian with gusto. He is assisted by Roshan as the spouse.
Benzer plays the negative role with ease. Peter comes in as the driver and delivers comfortably.
Ester Noronha, the new entrant in the field of tiatr plays her role gracefully. Earlier, she had made an entry in tiatrs, but it was restricted only to renditions. In this tiatr, she acts and wins the hearts of the audience.
Child artistes, Stencio and Daniel are confident in acts and dialogue delivery.
Double roles are played by Romeo and Aloma, and they do justice to their varied characters. Swizel, who portrays the mute maid, is appealing in her looks. But, the director of the show, comedian Brian, takes the cake for his fine and challenging act as a differently-abled individual, and wins sympathy from the audience.
For some laughter moments, there’s comedian Ben, Ambe, Joyel, Rizton and Sylvia. They provide good entertainment with some comic acts. There’s a scene wherein the departed tiatrists Mario Menezes (Benzer), Clara (Rizton), Jaju (Peter) and comedian Selvy (Joyel) are brought to life. Check them out in that scene with Ben Evangelisto.
MUSICAL ADDITIONS
For the listening pleasure of the spectators, Maythan comes on stage and renders the opening song. He pays rich tribute to the late Francis Tembo, father of noted tiatrist, Peter. There are solos from Menino Mario, Tony de Ribandar, Ester Noronha, Melisha, Rishona and Rihana.
There’s a song wherein Peter and Roshan pay tribute to Ven Fr Agnelo and pray for his early beatification as well.
Another song by Rishona and Rihana is well presented on stage. Father and son, namely Tony and Maythan also render a song together.
A song by Ben Evangelisto and Ester Noronha is well accepted by the audience and it receives an encore. Senon and his entire team – Nolvert (second trumpet), Cannon (bass), Norman (keyboard), Jack (drums) – have provided good live music. Norman has assisted with the background music as well.
Sound system by Jaison offstage helps the audio quality to be more effective in the auditorium.
There are some eye-catching scenes to be watched on stage and all of them have been provided by Pedro Santan. Dinesh takes care of the light sets.