While tiatr are held all year round in Goa, the shows held during Lent have lessons in morality to share.
Willy Silveira’s 6th production, Panch ani Don Bara, highlights how the insatiable greed for property and wealth, along with deceitful tactics, can lead to disappointment and failure.
ABOUT THE TIATR
The story revolves around Samuel (Peter), his spouse Rose Mary (Roshan), daughter Suzana (Scully) and adopted daughter Ester (Sonia).
Ester was meant to marry Noel (Pierson), but Suzana’s jealous manipulation causes Noel to reject Ester and choose Suzana instead. As a result, the entire family turns against Ester, forcing her to leave the house.
After almost seven years, just when Suzana is about to tie the knot with Noel, Samuel tries to get in touch with Ester and invites her back home. Meanwhile, Rose Mary and Suzana are eying the property papers left behind by Ester’s deceased mother.
Upon returning home with her teenage son Jonas (Janoy), Rose Mary along with her daughter Suzana tries every possible trick to get Ester’s signature on property papers. However, the terms and conditions explained by the lawyer (Alijoy) leave both mother and daughter disappointed.
As the property share automatically passes from the mother to the son, Suzana and Noel devise plans to get rid of Jonas. But, on several occasions, he is saved from the clutches of death.
The events that unfold in the second half of the story are worth watching. When Samuel and Rose Mary face grave trouble, who steps in to help? How does hatred transform into love and affection for the grandchild?
BEHIND THE SCENES
Willy Silveira’s Lenten show, Panch ani Don Bara, highlights the value of using one’s God-given talents in the service of others, as such acts result in an abundance of divine blessings in return.
In between the acts, biblical scenes depicting the passion of Christ are interwoven, connecting these sacred moments to everyday life situations.
All the artistes have played their respective roles with ease. Peter and Roshan stand tall as guardians, while Scully and Ester play the roles of siblings well. Pierson and Alijoy have extended good support to the main cast, while teenager Janoy is impressive in his body language and dialogue delivery.
In between the scenes there are biblical enactments, especially focusing on the passion of Christ. These scenes are linked to everyday life, illustrating how divine sufferings and pain can be endured with grace and ease.
In the comic acts, there’s comedian Brian, Rizton, Joyel and Juvency trying to entertain the audience with their laughter pills. However, since it is the season of grace, the comedy needs to be toned down to maintain the decorum appropriate for the Lent season.
In the section of songs, there’s Alijoy and Juvency rendering the opening song, followed by solos from Janoy, Rosario de Benaulim, Alijoy and Juvency. There are songs from Peter/Roshan and Rosario de Benaulim and Alijoy. A political solo from Olga Vaz receives an encore.
The band, led by Yeselon (trumpet), along with members Ashben (saxophone), Mikieas (keyboard), Seban (bass), and Jaison (drums), delivered good live music, complementing the background score. The stage sets and the light effects also deserve mention.