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Journalism of Courage
Sisters act
They look like identical twins – attractive platinum blondes dressed… well, identically! But models-turned-singers Magdalena and Hannah, who make up the Swedish Graaf sisters, are quick to point out that they’re not. In town to perform as part of a pop show, their first in India, the sisters confessed to being just a little nervous. “We’re looking forward to it though,” said Hannah in heavily-accented English. Their eponymous debut album is due for its Indian release soon.
What kind of music do they play? “Ours is an `untempo’ kind of pop music – the 1980s sort. We don’t have any special influences – we do our own thing,” says Hannah. They have been touring Scandinavia and Europe with their brand of music, including singles You Got What I Want and Give It Up. The trip to India, too, is not their first. “We were here with our parents before.” After their Pune halt, the sisters are scheduled to perform in Mumbai.
Comic no more
It is not a pleasant prospect going to a comedy these days – replete as it is with double entendre. But An Interval came as a pleasant surprise, opening new vistas of clean and fresh comedy.
Enacted by amateurs, the play has been a prize-winning entry in local competitions. The plot is a flurry of activity and incidents and primarily makes digs at commercials. The script doesn’t carry much weight but does project the keen observation of the playwright. His display of what happens when ladies are left alone to gossip, the lovers’ dilemma… all add colour and vibrancy to the proceedings.
Initially, the play seems gripping but its structure crumbles when heavy philosophy hampers the otherwise smooth narrative. It appears to be a rather sloppy attempt by the writer to paint a gloomy picture of reality.
But the play has its redeeming features, like the bubbling enthusiasm and unbridled energy unleashed by the cast – Vijay Patwardhan, Anand Joshi, Rahul Khokale and Siddharth Zadbuke. They have executed some scenes brilliantly. The next show is to be held on April 24 and 25 at the Bharat Natya Mandir.
