Goa tiatr review: Family struggles, politics, drama in 'Goem Ghanttar ..?'

Anthony Sylvester’s tiatr, Goem Ghanttar Viklem Konnem?, brings to light various issues and realities pertaining to the Goan community.

The curtains unfold to a scene in the State assembly where proceedings are underway and various issues about Goa and Goans are discussed at length. The same scene repeats before the interval, with the entry of the Prime Minister of India (Teotonio D’Costa).

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ABOUT THE TIATR

The story is about two sisters Sharon (Sharon Mazarello) and Bushan (Bushan). After the demise of her husband, Sharon resides alone with her only son Stanley (Jone).

Sharon’s sister, Bushan, returns from the UK in order to settle house and property matters. It turns out that the tenants, to whom she had rented her house, are unwilling to vacate the place.

Sharon is equally hapless as she cannot assist her sister in any way.

MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE: There plenty of comedy and music in the tiatr, 'Goem Ghanttar Viklem Konnem?'

Landlord Raposo (Wilmix) steps in occasionally to assist in whatever way he can. And, there’s the CM (Rosario Botelho) with Constans (comedian Joyel) as his PA.

On the other hand, Franky (Franky), son of Lap’pa (Agnel) and Lamani (Aplon) was born and brought up in Goa. Stanley and Franky are mates and both are staunch supporters of the minister.

Sharon warns her son not to get too close to the minister, but Stanley has high hopes of getting employed soon. While Stanley is involved with his mate Jenny (Alina), Franky is also eyeing her on the sly.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Sharon and Bhushan share the stage as sisters, while Wilmix stands tall as the landlord with fluency in Portuguese. But, how many of those landlords are still in existence in Goa is a question mark.

Botelho has enacted his role as CM with ease and confidence.

FAMILY MATTERS: A scene from the tiatr, 'Goem Ghanttar Viklem Konnem?'

Comedian Agnel, Aplon and Franky form a family of migrants, and there’s good interaction between them. Anil Pednekar projects himself as a social activist, and he does it in style.

The newcomers on the commercial stage, Jone Afonso and Alina Cunha are quite confident in their respective roles and dialogue delivery. They definitely have a bright future on the tiatr stage. 

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In the comic acts, Caetano as the videographer; and comedian Agnel, Aplon carry a good dose of laughter pills in their acts. The concluding scene could have been more interactive and appealing rather than mere preaching by two senior artistes.

In the category of songs, Jones and Alina step on stage for the opening song, followed by solos from Anthony San on the Konkani language; Avers Pereira highlights the need to scrap vulgar comedy in today’s tiatrs; Succor de Santa Cruz focuses on Goencho Saib; and Xavier Gomes has a different subject to throw light upon.

Other songs are by Succor and Avers; Ave, Franky and Succor pay rich tribute to the nightingale of Goa, Lorna. There are two duets by Evola and C D’Silva; and Wilmix and Sharon. There’s also a song by Anthony San, Ben Evangelisto, C D’Silva, Agnelo and Joyel highlighting the latest issue of ‘Sunburn Fest’.

Senon (trumpet) and his musical team, namely Queter (trumpet), Sheldon (bass), Mikeias (keyboard) and Mauvin Mascarenhas (drums) have provided good live music offstage.

The stage sets are by Kapil Chari and the lights have been handled by Dinesh.