Role play on the stage
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A talented cast and amusing dialogues made ‘Avan Adukkalayilekku’ a hit with the audience. P.K. Ajith Kumar
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Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup
Venus versus Mars: ‘Avan Adukkalayilekku’ has a husband and wife debating as to who is the better of the two.
What happens when a man and his wife decide to swap their roles? ‘Avan Adukkalayilekku,’ the latest production of Cochin Arathi Theatres, tries to find an answer to that question. The play, which was presented as part of the monthly cultu
ral programme of Navatharangam at a packed Town Hall in Kozhikode recently, had many humourous moments. ‘Avan Adukkalayilekku’ is written by Pradeep Kumar Kavunthara. It marks Pradeep Roy’s century as a director.
Versatile cast
A talented and versatile cast, witty dialogues, beautiful sets and superb production make the play an enjoyable piece of work.
It opens with god’s quest to understand the the concept of family on earth. He is accompanied by Dhumaketu on his visit to ‘God’s Own Country.’ The two decide to visit postman Vasanthan’s home.
Vasanthan and his wife, Vasantha, never get tired of debating whose job is more difficult. She even challenges her husband to do the domestic chores. He is game, if she will take on the role of the breadwinner. Once they exchange their roles, they realise that neither role is easy and that both are equally important in a family.
However, when they decide to resume their original roles, there is a catch. Therein lies the punch of the play.
The play is also about another couple – Shivashankar and Sherly, who cheat on each other. This sub-plot is actually the main weakness of the play as it has too many melodramatic scenes and eminently avoidable song sequences. The director could have done well to stick to the Vasanthan-Vasantha couple alone.
Among the talented cast, Sulu Boban stands out as Vasantha (she also plays Vimala). Her timing is perfect and she ensures that she never goes over the top. Kalidas, as Vasanthan and Shivashankar, impresses. Mohammed Eravattoor Cherai Suresh, Bindu Deepak, Gireesh Ravi and K.J. Biju come up good too.
Sujathan’s sets are pleasing to the eye and they look their best thanks to some clever lighting by the director himself.
The playwright is at his best in the scenes where Vasanthan and Vasantha are at each other’s throats. Their characters are well etched out.
The same cannot be said about all the characters though. That of Shawn, the son of Shivashankar and Sherly, for instance. The character is a bit over the top, as is the acting, at times.
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