Shernaz patel birthplace of aviation

Mona

Chandigarh, July 29

Rollicking and riveting was a page out of the life of “The Siddhus of Upper Juhu”. Rajit Kapur and Shernaz Patel held the audience attention stepping in the shoes of Bubbles and Behroze Siddhu. The story followed the middle-aged couple, owning their sea-facing apartment when their life falls apart. If the flat on the 14th floor with its paper-thin walls, noisy and intrusive neighbours isn’t that great, add to it woes of the apartment being robbed and Bubbles being sacked form his job. On the brink of nervous breakdown, as Behroze holds the forte stepping out to work, it’s Bubbles’ sibling who are called for an intervention.

A Punjabi man married to a Parsi woman, living in a multicultural Mumbai, the play in English, with fair share of Punjabi dialogues, had the audience in peals of laughter at Strawberry Fields High School this evening.

“It was heartening to see the auditorium with a capacity of about 500 full to capacity after a lull of about two years due to the pandemic,” said Atul Khanna, director Durga Das Foundation. The Tribune was the media partner for this Rage Productions play.

A slice of life comedy, the 90-minute play, directed by Rahul da Cunha, looked into a couple’s relationship, siblings’ bond and was as much a commentary on current times. If the metropolitan Mumbai, where the play was set, came alive in this production, Punjab and Punjabis and their never-say-die spirit, gregariousness and close family bonds also reflected through this production. Goldy, Bubble’s elder brother in his red turban, and their sisters – Pammi and Smiley – in their vibrant attire, were characters as if from the real life. Their mannerism, idiosyncrasies won the viewers’ love. It was the short and crisp dialogues in Punjabi that had the audience in splits.

Rajit as Bubbles is endearing and believable, Shernaz owns the space as devoted partner, giving unconditional love. Kajli Sharma, Meera Khurana and Prince Kanwal delivered engaging perf

Every fortnight, successful Mumbaikars bond over a meal in the Lunchbox series. This time, Shernaz Patel and Neil Bhoopalam exchange notes about eating right for theatre, their cooking exploits and being camera-shy

Neil Bhoopalam and Shernaz Patel talk theatre and food at the Prithvi Cafe, Juhu. Pics/Satej Shinde

We spot Shernaz Patel at the Prithvi Theatre box office, poring over the printed schedule of plays. As we head to its iconic open-air café, she asks us, amused, “Who are all these people? Are they from nearby colleges?” When we tell her that students find the café ideal to hang out because of the prices, she says, “But what about people who’ve come to watch a play, and want to grab a bite?” Actor Neil Bhoopalam joins us, giving Shernaz a hug. They have been friends for over a decade, and the camaraderie is obvious, especially when talk is about theatre and grub.

Shernaz: My parents were theatre professionals, so it was second nature. In 1983-84, my best friend and I were students of Elphinstone College, and would volunteer at the Prithvi Festival. We would hold the dupatta for Jennifer (Kendal) and collect money after the show. We saw the plays for free. The fests held in 1983-84 are hailed as the best at Prithvi; they changed my life.
Neil: I am envious of children whose parents are into the arts. I was exposed to theatre only at 19. My parents wouldn’t spend money to watch a play because it wasn’t a priority.
A waiter interrupts the banter to say three new dishes have been added to the menu. Shernaz orders a Vegetable Thai Green Curry and Neil, the Hummus With Grilled Veggies. As the photographer attempts a candid shot, Neil stiffens.
Neil: (laughs) I get nervous. I imagine I have to strike a pose.
Shernaz: Me too. Once Boman (Irani) was trying to shoot me and admitted that I was his worst subject. He was en

"This is a tough time for theatre very tough," notes Patel.

"We excel in the live, we thrive on the immediate and tactile communion between us and the audience. This love, passion, need - call it what you will - brings us back to the stage year after year, even as sceptics debate if theatre is dying. Theatre has survived centuries. With every catastrophe, we have found ways to reinvent ourselves. Death has never been an option for us. So, in 2020 if we have to perform in 920 x 1080 pixels, we will. We accept the challenge. Because this is what we do. We will find a way to share stories, to entertain and inspire."

Redefining a new season with the arrival of 2020's digital theatre opus, Aadyam has embraced change by creating a world-class showcase with Aadyam - The Digital Edition.

Featuring three plays from Aadyam's repertoire built over the last 5 years, the new season spotlights an unusual debut in the history of Indian arts and culture. Streaming via Insider.in will be 'Bandish 20-20,000 Hz' (Hindi), 'I Don't Like It, As You Like It' (English) and 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' (English), starting October. A virtual audience room, pre-show activities, live polling and mini quizzes and post-show virtual meet-and-greets is how the initiative plans to curate an authentic theatre experience online.

Starting September 8, Aadyam has launched a community platform for theatre lovers - Theatre Ink. Featuring original content written and presented by theatre practitioners and reputed writers from the across the country, Theatre Ink will serve as a hub for all things theatre. To be presented in a blogging format and edited by Shernaz Patel, it will feature interviews, insights, articles, advice, tips, news, behind the scenes snippets and much more, catering to both the industry and the audience.