Actors Advocate

A play about a couple of young septuagenarians by self confessed amateurs may not create huge ripples in acting circles...

A play about a couple of young septuagenarians by self confessed amateurs may not create huge ripples in acting circles,but lawyer Percival Billimoria seems quietly proud of his first stage performance in 25 years. Ive had the urge to act for a long time. Finally,I decided Im going to do it no matter what, says the 40-something Billimoria over coffee at his home in Chhatarpur,while several dogs and birds circle around his sprawling garden.

Considering the dismal response Indian theatre generally receives,the crowds at Billimorias adaptation of Neil Simons The Sunshine Boys recently staged at Kamani Auditorium,attest,that its been a smashing success. By day,Billimoria is a senior partner with AZB,a leading law firm in India,regularly clocking in 18-hour work days. By night,he transforms into a passionate actor,rehearsing dialogues with other busy professionals who share his enthusiasm for the stage. The love of the arc lights led Billimoria to start the Amateurs Performers Bureau (APB),a platform for people who like to act but because of professional commitments cant find the time to do it.

None of us have more than an hour to spare,that too,only after work hours. So we meet at everyones convenience at 10 at night and rehearse, says Billimoria,whos hired a room in South Extension where the amateurs meet. Being single helps, he adds,a tad wryly. The original Sunshine Boys is about a vaudevillian team who fall out,only to reunite 40 years later to perform together. The Indian version of The Sunshine Boys is crammed with cheesy one-liners and lurid observations. Billimoria is occasionally hilarious as the shuffling,ungainly,out-of-work actor with a pronounced Parsi accent. His delivery is perfect,his timing,almost perfect,though the script lags and is absurdly long at 90 minutes. My physiotherapist,Mr Johri,was massaging my neck and telling me that he too,used to act. Thats when I offered him a part, says Billimoria. Johri eventually got a pivotal role as Billimorias bete noire while another acting enthusiast,writer Omair Ahmed,plays the nephew in the play.

Despite a long and illustrious career as a lawyer and a tough negotiator,Billimoria says hes still finding his feet dealing with the nitty-gritties of theatre. Entirely self funded,so far he has spent approximately Rs 12 lakh on APB and producing The Sunshine Boys. Over two shows,hes generated close to Rs 3 lakh in ticket sales,tapping into his vast network of friends and associates,some of who might have been arm twisted to go watch him. Proceeds go to Cankids,an NGO to better the lives of children afflicted with cancer.

Of course,Im hoping APB will start paying for itself, he says. But Im not interested in money from sponsors. Till then Im happy to fund my hobby. Up next,Billimoria is working on an ambitious script of a version of Waiting for Godot,the tragic and complicated Samuel Beckett play. Im changing it into a comedy because theres too much sadness anyway, announces Billimoria airily. Heres to a fun interpretation. Who knows,Beckett might just approve.

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Actors Advocate

A play about a couple of young septuagenarians by self confessed amateurs may not create huge ripples in acting circles...

Actors Advocate