Rhea Dhanbhoora tells you why Litmus Productions’ new play is worth a watch…
Litmus Productions, who gave us Red Hot Mamas earlier this year, is back with a new English play,Apples & Walnuts. Director and writer Troy Ribeiro tells us, “This play is set in Mumbai with a backdropof Kashmir and is the story of two mothers who have lost their sons to a meaningless war. The Pandits,
who have fled Kashmir after losing their son Vizhal in a terrorist encounter, are now settled in Mumbai.
Fifteen years have passed. Just a few days before their daughter’s engagement they receive an unwanted guest in Gulfam Hassan, their old neighbour and manager of their orchards from Kashmir asking them to give him and his wife Sairabibi, shelter. What follows is the catharsis… Through the four
characters, the play encapsulates the state of affairs in Kashmir and how it has changed their lives. The play ends on a positive note with a mantra of how to bring about peace and changeduring troubled times.”
Troy talks about how the play came together, telling us that the idea germinated in 2001 after atrocities done to Kashmiris, which was reported in the media, which disturbed him. He tells us, “Somewhere down the line I realised that the coin has two sides, the innocent were probably paying a price for their
ignorance. And after a lot of research, I realised that the common man’s voice was not heard. What do they actually want, freedom or peace? So that’s what made me write the play. And while I searched for the common man’s voice, I realised it was evident in the two mothers’ plight. And that’s what I
have tried to portray. The play has finally taken shape, after two successful performance readings. The actors I have are superb and have done justice to the script. It has shaped up very well and I am sure the audiences are going to love the play. At least, we hope they do.”
The play, which will have two shows, stars Madhuri Bhatia, Ashish Chawla, Mini Rebeiro and Akshay Dogra. As for what to expect, Troy tells us, “Audiences can expect a thought-provoking play with a strong message and good performances.”
When June 4 at 5pm and at 7pm
Where NCPA Godrej, NCPA Marg, Nariman Point
Entry `225 Contact 9920913035