The motivation for comedienne Anuradha Menon to do AGP World’s new play, Good Mourning, was that it’s a dark comedy. “What I enjoy most about my theatre life is that I’m never cast as the ‘ha-ha’ person. So, it gives me the opportunity to explore other facets of Anu and “play” with/off people,” says the actress. The piece is about the untimely death of Anuradha’s character Laila’s husband, Rahul, and an alcohol-soaked evening when her friends and family gather to offer her solace. Instead, it turns out to be one of acrimony and face.
For her, another reason to come on-board was that it’s actor Kavi Shastri’s debut as a writer. Not just him but Deven Khote also makes a foray into mainstream direction in theatre. Little wonder then, he is experiencing, “Equal doses of excitement, joy and absolute terror,” like he says, before adding, “But we have a great piece here, with a terrific team, a great script and an outrageously good ensemble.”
Comedy is said to be a difficult genre to pull off and dark humour even more so. Didn’t Deven want to start with something safer and easier? He admits, “The piece did start off somewhere else, but evolved into this through the writing process. Easier is not something I consciously look for — once you’ve got your teeth into something that inspires you (Good Mourning, for instance), nothing else really matters.” As for Anuradha, who’s known for uproarious comedy, as a stand-up comic and actor, the space wasn’t challenging. “Dark comedy comes from the situation. You don’t need to do anything extra to play it up; just go with gut and character motivation, and the lines will take care of the rest,” she points out.
A still from the play
The production boasts of an ensemble cast — Ryatasha Rathore (Badho Bahu), Sohrab Ardeshir, Zafar Karachiwala, Aseem Hattangady, Omkar Kulkarni and Danny Sura. Anuradha says about her co-actors, “I do one new play a year. And it’s a phenomenal cast of some old friends and new ones I’ve made.” For Deven, too, directing the performers was an absolute joy. “They’re all such brilliantly instinctive talents that it made my job really easy. The only trouble I had, and have, is jealousy — I just wish I were up there on stage acting with them!” says he. However, deciding on the cast wasn’t an easy task for him. “It was a long process!” he informs us, and adds, “We read a number of times, but held out till we had this perfect ensemble in place. We even re-scheduled the release to make this team happen.”
After co-producing (Aamir, Udaan, Chillar Party, etc) and directing (Phillum City), Deven is back to stage after a 25-year-long hiatus. Right now, he says that, in principle, he’s ready to direct more plays. “I’ll only pursue it if the right opportunity and play present themselves again,” says he. Anuradha, on the other hand, states, “Since my special Wonder Menon is on a streaming platform, I’m writing more material for my stand-up. I had to start at ground zero. I’m back to grappling with jokes in the dark!” Is direction on cards for her? Maybe one day. Right now, everyone mistakes me for the director Anu Menon who made Four More Shots Please!. I keep getting sent naked pictures of actors who say, ‘Ma’am please take me in your next movie!’” she jokes.
When: Today, 7.30 pm
Where: St Andrew’s Auditorium, Bandra West
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 "Anuradha Menon and Deven Khote")
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