Funny side up

It is widely believed that comedy is a genre that is the most difficult to master and perform. It is even more challenging in the sphere of performing arts. To elicit laughter from a specific audience takes a great deal of talent, charisma and impeccable comic timing. The cast of One on One Part 2, who performed in the Siri Fort auditorium on Sunday managed to have the audience in splits.

In order to stay relevant in an age where the cinema viewing experience is growing by leaps and bounds, theatre has to re-invent itself and that is precisely what One on One Part 2 attempted to do.

A far cry from the type of theatre we are accustomed to, this act presented a series of monologues to its audiences which served as a commentary to various social issues ranging from the trials of a married woman who struggles with motherhood to the futility of war along with the aftermath of the tragic Nepal earthquake, the tribulations of a ticket checker stuck at a job at a place where the citizens think they are above the law and the aspirations of a girl who initially wanted to get married but after the act realises she has made a grave mistake.  The sketches were predominantly comical, but had an underlying social message.

With the right mix of veteran talents and fresh blood, the acting aspect of the play was top notch. Headlined by notable names such as Rajit Kapoor, Anu Menon( of Lola Kutty fame), Neil Bhoopalam( NH10, Shaitan, No One Killed Jessica) and lesser known faces such as Shikha Talsania, Gopal Dutt and Sumeet  Vyas, the pace of the play never slackened. 

Shikha as the new bride who develops cold feet after marriage was a revelation while Gopal Dutt as the ticket checker displayed immense comic abilities. However, the real star of the show was Sumeet Vyas who essayed roles of an army man as well as a first-time producer with aplomb. His depiction of a producer who is constantly heckled by the director, the assistant director, the superstar as well as the spot boy was a treat to watch as it was tinged in realism. Neil Bhoopalam, Anu Menon and <g data-gr-id="38">Rajit</g> Kapoor also left an indelible mark on the audience with their measured performances.

Directed by a host of directors like Rahul DaCunha, Rajit Kapoor, Nadir Khan, Sumeet Vyas, Ashish Jagtiani and Hussain Dalal, there was never any doubt about the credibility of the act and it sure didn’t disappoint. 

With such innovative ideas getting incorporated in contemporary theatre, it’s no wonder it still commands a certain amount of following, even in this age of three-dimensional films.