UK-based comedian Agostinho’s tiatr, Past Is Past, carries a good storyline with sleek direction and an impressive climax. The flow of the story and the twists and turns keep you glued to your seat till the end.
The story, highlighting the challenging role of a married woman, revolves around three childhood friends — Avinash (Mathew Araujo), Anish (Bunty Vaz) and Anand (Salu de Loutolim).
ABOUT THE TIATR
All three pals are engaged in their own profession — Avinash is a builder, Anish is a lawyer and Anand is an engineer. They happen to meet each other one day, and talk about their profession and lives.
Anish reveals that he already had heartbreak, while Anand confesses that he has found a girl. Avinash is hopeful of finding a mate soon. They part only to meet each other again soon.
Anand and Faye (Jesba) come together and share sweet nothings with one another. As love birds, they promise that they won't dig into the past, but live in the present and make a bright future.
After marriage, everything appears rosy for Faye as she lives with her husband and father-in-law, Casmiro (Laurente Pereira). But, there’s trouble when Anand invites his friends for his wife’s birthday.
Anish and Avinash come along for the grand celebration of Faye’s birthday. After greeting her, Avinash feels blue, and disappears from the scene. Anand is confused, not knowing what the matter is.
Avinash is perplexed as to whether to save his friend’s skin or not. If the hard truth is revealed, it could be disastrous, leading to a divorce. But, come what may, Avinash decides to confess to Anand and ends up revealing a big secret.
Anand cannot digest the truth and wants to divorce Faye. Anand’s father tries to convince him otherwise, but to no avail.
Avinash, who travels regularly to the UK on business trips, marries Laura (Andrea). Faye and Laura turn out to be good friends.
What transpires between Anand and Faye is worth the watch during the second half of the drama.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Mathew Araujo, Salu de Loutolim and Bunty have played fine roles on the tiatr stage as friends, and the clash between Mathew and Salu de Loutolim is worth the watch.
They are supported by Laurente, Jesba and Andrea. Laurente Pereira plays a convincing role as an aged father, while Bunty stands tall as the lawyer.
In comic acts, comedian Agostinho comes along with Insulin (Luis Bachan), Paracetamol (Janet) and Crocin (Swizel). They carry good laughter pills with them.
Swizel steps in for the opening song, followed by solos from Andrew de Zuari, Laurente, Nicky Carvalho and Olavo.
There are also songs from Luis Bachan and Janet; Andrew and Andrea; Bunty and Laurente and a trio by Bunty, Nicky and Andrew.
A comedy solo from Luis Bachan receives an encore. Senon and team – Aiden (trumpet), Framton (keyboard), Daniel (bass), Jack (drums) – have provided good music to all the songs.
The beauty of this tiatr is that there are no props used on stage, except for the curtains being lowered and rolled up. That’s something to be learnt about by other tiatr directors.
Pedro Santan and Ratna have handled the stage sets and lights, respectively.