 Playwright: Murray Schisgal, Adapted by Sandhya Divecha
Director: Lillete Dubey
Cast: Joy Sengupta, Kumud Mishra and Shivani Tanksale
Language: English
Theatre Group: PrimeTime Theatre
Live for love, laughter or both?
An encounter of the pee- kind with a dog makes Sudipto Bandhopadhya or Bandy (Joy Sengupta) question life and his true purpose. He travels all over the world (under the patronage of various holy men) to find answers but after fifteen years of relentless search ends up with zilch. Frustrated, lonely and penniless, he decides to jump of a bridge. It is here that he meets college friend Pankaj Chopra or Chops (Kumud Mishra) who dissuades him from doing so. Tales of woe ensue (from both of them); childhood to adolescence and finally the current situation. Filthy rich Chops is glum as his wife refuses to give him a divorce, because of which he can’t marry his true love. Enter wife –an over educated and all knowing Amu (Shivani Tanksale) and an absurd triangle is formed.
Act two begins where one left of; at the same bridge but a few months later.
Amu is now married to Bandy and Chops to his lady love, Urvashi. Pseudo talk notwithstanding, Amu and Chops begin to divulge what’s really happening in their lives. Neither of them is happy with their partners.They realise they have been rash with their decision and that they still love each other.They agree to get back.
But what about Bandy now? Perhaps a slight push, over the bridge would help?
Love on the Brink is brilliantly adapted (Sandhya Divecha) from Tony award winning play “Luv” by Murray Schisgal. There not so much of the portrayal of romantic love, rather a satirical comedy on the notion of love. There is no didacticism; you don’t obtain solutions to the questions asked. The acts embark on a comic and playful quest; in search of love, an ideal marriage, great communication, success and true happiness. It ends on an absurd but hilarious note.
The audio effects are well done, although the music accompaniment at the start could be made better or be changed. The set is functional and just right. The chiaroscuro effect especially makes the play feel real, commonplace but engaging and accounts for depth in comic situations.
Sengupta as the lost existentialist is superb, especially when he is suddenly wrought with maladies like temporary loss of hearing, blindness and immobility. His monologue regarding pointless existence too is funny. The duet between Sengupta and Tanksale (Love Changes Everything is comical and romantic at the same time) is truly remarkable.
Mishra has you laughing out loud with his true -to -life Punjabi accent and mannerisms. His costumes too deserve a thumbs-up. Tanksale is good but is overshadowed by the lime-light stealing men.
On the whole, the dialogue delivery is crisp, swift and carries with it the weight of light-hearted comic relief underplaying the searing reality of meaninglessness.
You can connect with the play, engage in it and yet not be overzealously consumed with its meaning. Definitely worth a watch.
Chriselle Fernandes
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