ARRE O HENRY Play Review

American short story writer O Henry's 150^th birth anniversary is being commemorated with the launch of a new US postal stamp this year. Likewise, the world over, the writer's astounding ability for devising surprise endings to his stories is being celebrated in various ways. Among the tributes galore to one of the foremost master spinner of tales, is Gulzar's theatrical adaptation of four of O Henry's stories. Equally popular for their humour as well as their startling ends, Gulzar distills the very essence of O Henry's creations most proficiently through this quartet of plays.


Gulzar casts a spell right at the outset by giving the title of 'Arrey O Henry'. He Indianises four lesser known stories and keeps the viewers tethered to their seats right through the awesome foursome - Shaadi Kara Lo, Nuskha, Madam and Bal Bal Bache.

The play opens with 'Shaadi Kara Lo', in which Bakul Thakkar and Nisar Khan play two out-of-work roommates in Mumbai. They are always on a lookout for making a quick buck and they open a marriage bureau and charge an entrance fee for every applicant with a promise to get him married to a wealthy, good looking widow. This widow (Neetu Pandey) happens to be their late friend's wife. The end as promised is funny as well as surprising.

The second story 'Nuskha' is about a strict retired military officer (Amit Jairath) and his lovely daughter who is in love with a theatre actor. Her father is opposed to this match, as is their paying guest who is also secretly in love with the officer's daughter. To win the fair lady's hand a battle of wits takes place between the two suitors. Jamaal Khan plays the scheming paying guest and the luscious heroine (Akriti Singh) wins over the audience with her easy charm.

But the best amongst these stories is undoubtedly, 'Madam' in which Lubna Salim plays the title role of a maid posing as a rich lady with delicate grace. The frustrated maid to an actress, apes her mistress - wearing her dresses, shoes and mannerisms to perfection. Is she caught at her act of deception? Watch the play to find out.

The concluding piece 'Bal Bal Bache' is hilarious. It has a barber palming off spurious hair vitalizers to hopeful bald men! How does one of the barber's victims get even with him? Ah, that's a witty tale.

Gulzar's dialogue is simple and effective, very competently delivered by the entire cast - conjuring up the right mood and atmosphere. The stories have been so well adapted to the local culture that they feel rooted to the soil. And therefore very convincing.

As for Salim Arif's direction, he mounts the stories well, but in the first two stories, the intermittent blackouts are too frequent and rather distracting. But post interval, he is well in command and the stories flow enchantingly.

The music comprises ditties from Gulzar's films - 'Dhanno ki aankhon mein...', 'Golmal hai bhai...' and 'Behne do...' providing a perfect foil to the stories. The set is modest and minimalistic yet adequate. The lighting is full of dark stumbling (literally) moments, and some muted lights would facilitate smoother entries and exits of the players. But O Henry continues to baffle and amuse even after 150 years. The play is a fitting tribute to his genius.

Deepa Karmalkar is a film and theatre reviewer. She has been an entertainment journalist for over fifteen years.