This is an archive article published on August 6, 2023
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Nothing Like Lear: Vinay Pathak adds magic to Shakespearean tragedy, grips audience with mono-act
Vinay Pathak, dressed as a clown, used wit, humour, and wordplay as a thread to weave and showcase one of the greatest tragedies while making it relevant for present-day folks.
With the play’s prime focus on the complexities of human relationships, emotional struggles and depression, Pathak did not fail to take a side route to crack satires on pseudo-intellectuals of our society. (Photo: Instagram/@delhitheatrefestival)
As a postgraduate in English literature, it is not unusual for me to claim that William Shakespeare and his dramatic works are food for thought for all those who study and love literature. After all, Shakespeare is the ‘daddy’ of English drama who influences the language and writing even 407 years after his death.
The other day, as luck would have it, I got to watch a play based on Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ in Delhi’s O P Jindal Auditorium. The first theatre play of my life was ‘Nothing Like Lear.’ Yes, that’s the name literally- ‘Nothing Like Lear,’ starring Vinay Pathak, a great theatre and film actor who gripped the audience for almost two hours with his unique storytelling style and intelligent delivery in this mono-act.
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Pathak, dressed as a clown, used wit, humour, and wordplay as a thread to weave and showcase one of the greatest tragedies while making it relevant for present-day folks. Speaking English and Gibberish while performing, Pathak struck a deep chord with the audience as he manoeuvred people’s emotions while jumping from one narrative to another. He often drew references from King Lear, played Shakespeare’s characters and delivered long monologues in Elizabethan English, swapping it with modern language and humour every now and then.
With the play’s prime focus on the complexities of human relationships, emotional struggles and depression, Pathak did not fail to take a side route to crack satires on pseudo-intellectuals of our society. Politicians, business people and lawyers- he called out everyone, of course, using humour.
Watching the play directed by Bollywood actor and playwright Rajat Kapoor, the audience felt as if they were a part of the play, and the credit goes to Pathak’s realistic and engaging conversational style. As for me, I had never consumed a Shakespearean play like this before. This time the ‘daddy’ felt more real, closer and connected.
With the play’s prime focus on the complexities of human relationships, emotional struggles and depression, Pathak did not fail to take a side route to crack satires on pseudo-intellectuals of our society. (Photo: Instagram/@delhitheatrefestival) 
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