At the first Inter-School Tiatr competition, organised by the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG), the second day was witness to the tiatr, Machi, presented by Fatima Convent High School, Margao.
Machi, a tiatr scripted by Nazario Pinto and directed by Rhea Ulhas Bangalorkar, was almost a houseful show. As it is a girls’ school, all the participants in the play were girl students, including a handful of teachers. Some of the girl students, enacting the male characters, displayed good theatrical skills on stage.
ABOUT THE TIATR
The tiatr, Machi, speaks about the entire world as a big, wide stage and all the people in it are actors with different roles entrusted to them. Each one is called to play their respective roles to perfection.
The plot revolves around Ronny (Freya Almeida), his spouse Daisy (Velbe Cardozo) and their only son Shamon (Liyena Pinto). On the other hand, there’s Bostiao (Blanca Fernandes), who is a humble farmer by profession and his only daughter Carmina (Leanna Pereira).
Soon after birth, Ronny and Daisy wish and vow to bring up their only son, Shamon, according to God’s will and plans. As the child grows up, he is inclined to become an agriculturist. And, for the project assigned by his teacher, he decides to study everything about the fields practically.
Though Shamon’s parents are against his wishes, and coax him to complete his project by surfing the internet, the boy is determined to follow his inner voice.
In order to complete his project successfully, Shamon tries to contact his neighbour, Bostiao, who tries to assist him in every possible way.
As Bostiao toils hard in his field, his daughter Carmina suggests to her father that he sell the field so as to overcome all tensions and worries. But, Bostiao is determined to carry forward the traditional occupation.
Taking note of the talents Shamon is blessed with, his teacher Rennie (Andrea Fernandes) extends all support to her student. What follows next is worth the watch in the second half of the play.
Parents discouraging their children from staying connected to Mother Nature, and guardians dreaming big about their children’s futures and careers, which is against their wishes are some of the highlights of the drama.
BEHIND THE TIATR
Despite the absence of boys in the play, all the girl artistes enacted their respective roles with enthusiasm. A little attention towards direction would have enhanced the play even further.
Freya, Velbe and Blanca as guardians, and Andrea Fernandes as a teacher, displayed a good show of talent on stage. They were ably supported by Liyena Pinto and Leanna as children of two different families.
In the comic acts, there was Peony Mascarenhas as Mingu, and Callie Albuquerque as Pingu who tried to entertain with some comic acts and dialogues. But, the comedy was brought out of the main play and enacted with the garden scene.
In the section of songs, there were renditions in different categories, but one trio, which was termed as choral, was not interactive. A duet by Vanessa and Naira and a solo by Rhea were impressive and stood out among the rest.
The stage sets and light effects were handled by Anthony de Ambaji single-handedly. Alloy de Souza, who was the band leader, also took care of the background music.
Durga Naik Gaunkar and Joshila Mascarenhas shouldered the responsibility of costumes and make-up respectively.