Play review: 'Red Hot Mamas'

Play: Red Hot Mamas
When and Where: January 23,
Sophia College
Time: 7:30pm

The play Red Hot Mamas is indeed as interesting as it sounds.

Directed by Troy Ribeiro, this English play is written by Troy’s good friend David, and can be described as a two hour long, light-hearted comedy built on reverse parenting. “David staged it in America, so I toned the play to fit well with the Indian context,” says Troy.

The play revolves around a couple who make the mistake of inviting their mothers-in-law to stay with them. And unlike the obvious, the two women do not indulge in frequent spats or arguments. “They get along well with each other and eventually become the best of friends. Their budding friendship, however, leads to chaos and fiasco in the house and makes life hell for the couple as they regret over their decision of getting their mothers to stay with them,” Troy reveals. It becomes difficult for the couple to take care of the two women. Ultimately, they realise that crying over spilt milk makes no sense and come to terms with the situation — even if that meant embracing the tantrums of their mothers.

The component of comedy is brought out best by the dialogues between the characters, than the situations and scenes. But at the same time it also delivers some hard-hitting messages “Red Hot Mamas cannot be called an out and out comedy” even though the funny elements run along smoothly all throughout the two hours.

The play is Troy’s first stint at direction and understandably, the director is kicked about it. The seven character play casts Madhuri Bhatia, Mini Ribeiro, Satchit Puranik, Mansi Jhingran, Aman Uppal and Deepak Kukreja. “You see a mix of fun and madness on the stage,” asserts Troy.