Stop by for a Katha-rtic evening

The chemistry that veteran actors Vikram Gokhale and Suhas Joshi share on stage makes writer-director Anand Mhasvekar's latest play a viewer's delightThe lights come on; a voiceover informs the audience about the main protagonists, while senior actor Vikram Gokhale makes his entry on stage. Shamrao Lele does not say a word, and yet the audience breaks into spontaneous applause. It's the same when Suhas Joshi makes her entry as Malati, the character who is still out of breath from her morning walk. Katha has enjoyed a full house at every auditorium ever since it opened in December 2010, even during afternoon shows. Priyanka, Vikram Gokhale and Suhas Joshi in a still from the playWith the play, writer-director Anand Mhasvekar (known for his award-winning play U Turn) returns to explore the relationship between au00a0 middle- class couple who were constantly making sacrifices for the benefit of their children. Both Shamrao and Malati are retired professionals, who tend to bicker throughout the day on topics ranging from solving a crossword puzzle to 'singdana chikki'.u00a0 Ever since they married 35 years ago, there hasn't been a day they haven't quarreled, we are constantly reminded. The connect is instant, since most of us have heard our parents bicker in a similar fashion. The two deftly draw you into their lives through their cute quarrels and amazing comic timing.As the play unfolds, the audience is told that the elderly couple is estranged from their children: their son and daughter-in-law live on their own by choice, and their daughter married a man from a different religion. When a young girl, Leena Barve (Priyanka) arrives on their doorstep in search of paying guest accommodation, things seem to look up for the elderly couple. Eventually, however, Leena too leaves when she gets married, and the couple goes back to living on their own.While the play lacks a significant point of conflict, it is a slice of life story that the audience can relate to. As is evident when Shamrao and Malati suffer a breakdown, and sniffles are heard in the audience.Even before the play had its premiere, Gokhale had declared Katha to be his last play as an actor. That is in itself reason enough for Marathi theatre lovers to flock to theatres. On January 23, 4 pm at Ravindra Natya Mandir, near Siddhivinayak Mandir, Sayani Marg, Prabhadevi. Call 24312956