‘Every actor should do theatre once in their life’: Mona Singh

After playing the lead role in Raell Padamsee’s Unfaithfully Yours, Mona Singh will be seen in as many as six characters in Meherzad Patel’s new play Laughter Therapy. The comedy, which marks the 10th year of Patel’s Silly Point Productions, is about a Hindu, a Muslim, a Christian and a Parsi who seek counselling to help cope with various issues in their lives. Mona essays the role of their therapist Dr Bombay apart from playing other characters including a Goan Lady and a police officer.

The actress, who has regaled us with her roles on the small screen and now a web series, talks to After Hrs about acting in a comedy on stage and why she wants to explore theatre further.

What prompted you to take up Laughter Therapy?

Meherzad had approached me for The Class Act earlier, but I couldn’t do it as I was busy shooting. Theatre needs a lot of time and dedication. This time, when he got in touch with me, I had just finished shooting for my web series Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain and was relatively free. I read the script and couldn’t stop laughing. It is hilarious. We met for a reading and I agreed immediately.

You are playing a therapist and will be seen in as many as six characters?

Every character is different from the other. I’m essaying the role of a teenager as well an 80-year-old Parsi lady. I had to pick up different nuances and accents. I play a therapist who works for the government and teaches patients on how to behave in public. I ask them to go to each other’s houses and study their environment. In a way, the play represents the city of Mumbai.

What challenges did you face?

I’ve realised that one can’t be subtle on stage. I’ve to make sure that the person sitting at the back should be able to see and understand what I’m trying to portray. I’ve to be loud, but that doesn’t mean I should ham. In fact, I need to emote through my body language. There is so much to learn and unlearn when you come from a different medium. I love taking up such challenges as they keep me happy and satisfied.

Was this the main reason that attracted you to theatre?

While working with Adil Hussain in the movie Zed Plus (2014), I couldn’t understand why was he overwhelmed with the idea of being a theatre actor. I realised I was missing something huge in life by not acting on stage. Then three years ago, Raell contacted me for Unfaithfully Yours. And I loved it. You just shed all inhibitions on stage. A director’s job ends when the actor is on stage. You are on your own. And that feeling is exhilarating. Every actor should do theatre at least once in their life. I want to work with Naseeruddin (Shah) saab. He is truly a legend and working with him will be a different experience. So, I hope it happens in this lifetime (smiles).

​​Laughter Therapy will premiere on June 3 at 7 pm at St Andrews Auditorium, Bandra, followed by shows on June 9 at Tata Theatre, NCPA and June 17 at Royal Opera House.