The new ‘tiatr’ from Francis de Tuem is a tale of corrupt politicians, poor common men and how the rich dominate the poor. But then, ‘Karma Hits Back’!
The show opens with a group of youngsters having a jolly good time with drinks, drugs, and cigarettes. Two of these are rich brats, children of a minister in the local government. The others are poor kids, who enjoy the goodies from the rich. At this point, an elderly retired army man, who is an activist, fighting against the evil perpetrated enters the scene. He tries to convince the group but they all leave in a huff. Except for one youngster. He is poor, his father is dead and his old mother ekes out a living, selling vegetables that she grows in her backyard. The activist tries to convince the boy to give up these evil friends. The mother wants to educate her son, but the two are tenants of the politician. On the boy’s birthday the mother manages to buy him a small present but his rich friends bring him expensive gifts and mock the mother, for her gift. The poor mother feels betrayed and tries to convince her son that the two brats are misusing him. The tale moves forward, as more misfortunes befall but then life is a circle and there is a higher authority who metes out justice.
The play highlights many recent happenings in Goa. Corrupt politicians misuse their power; innocent poor people are ill-treated and suffer. But there are some activists that work for the people. There is a good cast, some moments of humour, hard hitting songs and a good band. Eleton provides the light effects to the various sets. The cast has Antonette de Maina as the corrupt politician who is rich and egoistic. Jennifer and Willie play the children who are always smiling but with evil in their hearts. Alijoy is quite convincing as the widow’s son and Renzia plays the elderly woman, full of sadness and pain. Rosario de Benaulim is the cop and Ulhas Tari plays the tough activist, a man with principles. There are others playing minor roles. For the comedy, there is Fiona, Nato, Riston, and Agnelo. The English dialogues and the Konkani translation is amusing.
The band has Alex (saxophone), Yeselon (trumpet), Mauvin (drums), Myles (bass), and Benny (keyboard). The opening is a solo by Antonette. There are more songs, some criticising the establishment, from Renzia, Alijoy, Peter de Arambol, Rosario de Benaulim, Francis de Tuem, and others. A solo by Peter de Arambol stands out and a duo from Tuem with Riston, is amusing.
