E-play

Mostly first timers in different domains of theatre production,the actor duo scripted the play that puts forth the pros and cons of revolution in communication. “Though communication is getting revolutionised,we have lost communication in its true sense. We may talk but we hardly listen. We may chat through the Internet,may speak over phone,may send mails,reminders,wishes but do we really communicate? Do we really express?At any point of time do we sit holding hands compassionately,look into the eyes of each other and express what we really want to communicate?” says Joshi.

A contemporary play,White Lily and Night Rider,is a black comedy. A man and a woman in their 40’s happen to be very close chat friends who are also involved in erotic chat. And there comes a point when they desperately want to meet each other to transform the virtual in real to take the decision of marriage. But when they meet person to person,the showdown begins. “Any known system of man-woman relationship is unacceptable to them. Neither can they accept the sanskars of the previous generation,nor can they adjust to the thinking of the new generation! For them marriage as an institution is outdated and a live-in relationship is unthinkable,” Joshi elaborates.

The play talks about the electronic revolution minimising commucation processes down to a tiny mobile text message,and in the end leaves the question hanging in mid air – is the revolution a boon or a bane? “The Internet chat service has made it possible for people to literally chat with each other across continents,leave alone cities. Is this good or bad?” says Shubhangi Damle,play co ordinator

In the end,the play leaves the audience with many unanswered questions.One of the evocative response that the play got was in Bangalore. “ People related to it and many came to us saying that the play strikes a cord.We could relate to it. Many today waste their time chatting for no obvious reasons. One of the most fundametal aspects of a succesful communication process is your expression,your urge to listen and to verbally answer – that does not happen in this so called revolutionised communication process. This in turn is creating a communication gap in itself.” The play raises innumerable questions and confusions about the fundamentals of companionship. But the question arises does this confusion end with self realisation. Also the play brings forth the comfort zone people have created in virtually real world of online chatting and so called revolutionised communication processes.

(The 25th show of the play will be staged at Sudarshan Rangmanch on May 23 at 7pm)