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| Tuesday, 10 August 2004 |
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A play within a play
'I can't say anything now, for I feel slightly tired' I commented. 'So that is to say that you are not enjoying my play?' 'I can't be positive about it' I continued to say. 'Then we should meet after the play' he said a point which I agreed. To be honest, I felt a certain sense of hostility when some players enacted the roles of army officers', Police officers and persons of that sort. For quite some time I have the feeling of detachment or farness or alienation from the stage when players portray their characters with army or police uniforms. I examined my inner self. There is a positive difference in me. Then comes slashes and lashes on an innocent victim of circumstances branded as a lunatic. The actor was vibrant from moment to moment to the point that he was sweating from head to foot. Some of the spectators were laughing and giggling at the lines delivered by the players awakening me from my dreamy world of isolation. I try to identify myself with some of the characters that move about on the stage. But I fail to do so. My wife was seated next to me. I felt that at least she is enjoying the play. The friend of mine, the play producer may have spent quite a lot of money on this production, for the costumes and props never come from the blues. The boots worn by the officers looked strong and expensive. Last week I wanted to buy a pair of shoes. It cost me so much that I wanted to buy a pair of sandals. 'But surely you can't wear sandals for respectable occasions' commented my wife. 'But these shoes are quite expensive' I said. You can't help it, please buy one, if you don't have money I will give you out of my savings' said the wife. Then I agreed to buy a pair of shoes instead of a pair of sandals. Once again my eyes are gazing at the play bringing more and more life. And old actor plays his part in a well mannered stylised form which captured my imagination. 'I have seen this man somewhere'. I thought to myself. Where have I seen him? In what context has he come to my mind? The play ended and then came the curtain call. Actors or players came one by one, bowing their heads. But the producer friend of mine was not seen, as it is usually done, at the end of the play. He may have gone out for some other activity. The moment came for me to leave the auditorium. My friend, the play producer was waiting to meet me. 'Did you enjoy the play after interval?' He asked me casually. 'Yes I did, the second half was better than the first half'. 'So do you mean to say that you did not enjoy the play as a whole'. I was for a moment trying to frame the words that should suit the occasion, for my gurus have advised me to be careful regarding verbal contacts, and combats. 'I think you have tired yourself so much to train your players', I said calmly. Then he smiled and said. 'It goes without saying, but did you enjoy the play?' 'Well there were fine moments, but I must confess that the tragic impact, I didn't get perhaps due to my own fault'. 'But mind you', he said. 'It's not a tragedy, it's a farce'. 'Is that so? Then I would have certainly missed the essence of your play, for I thought it's tragedy'. 'No it's not. 'Then I must see it again. When do you hope to stage it again?'. 'I am not too sure', he said. 'You know', he commenced once again shaking hands with some others who may have enjoyed or pretended to have enjoyed. 'I wanted to portray the conscience of the people, the victims of circumstances, who sacrifice their lives in the name of humanism'. 'Sorry then I must see your play once again'. I said thanking him for inviting me to see his play. 'It's my fault' I told my wife, while driving home in the night. 'Why?' 'I think I did not have the appropriate frame of mind to enjoy my friend's play'. But I don't regret for all the people never agree all the time. |
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'Are you enjoying my play?' Asked my friend the play producer during
the interval, when I came out of the auditorium to take a fresh breath.
