Written and Directed : YUKI ELLIAS Cast : Abhishek Saha, Kunaal Sangtani, Mati Rajput, Yuki Ellias, Kurian Joseph, Petra Misquitta, Latoya Mistral Ferns-Advani
A FISH ATE MY CAT Review
To encounter a play with a mere two-line synopsis is an invitation to the unexpected. Yuki Ellias's A FISH ATE MY CAT is precisely this: a whimsical journey through a fantastical landscape, where the expected bumpers and signals of conventional drama are replaced by moments of pure, pleasant diversion. (The play opened at the Prithvi Theatre Festival).
It is a rare feat to see a play centred on a septuagenarian's life depicted with such elegant humour. We are introduced to Ms. Johnson (Yuki Ellias), an old aunt living in Bandra with her plants and a pair of Tom and Jerry scissors she uses to cut triangles. Her world is punctuated by the daily arrival of her house help, Jayshree (Mati Rajput), who travels on the Virar fast local, bringing stories from the train to clean, cook, and care for her. Ms. Johnson, in turn, spends her time talking to her plants, observing the world from her balcony, and listening to the piano from the floor above.
The play is not, in its conventional sense, driven by a rigid dramatic arc. Rather, it is a heartfelt storybook meditation on ageing. What is most striking is its profound simplicity. In line with Ellias's other works, the emphasis on dramaturgy is clear, eschewing plot mechanics for a beautifully crafted, performance-oriented piece. It feels like a sophisticated capture of the simple joys and beauty of everyday life
This thoughtful craft extends to the set design, which uses simple objects to build a world of gentle fantasy: from hanging pillows that float like clouds to books adorned with aeroplanes and rainbows, and a particularly intelligent rendering of a seashore scene. The play's sensory world is firmly rooted in a tangible realism; it beautifully describes the streets of Bandra from Ms. Johnson's perspective, allowing one to almost visualize the geography.
The performances are the soul of the work. As one might expect, Yuki Ellias's portrayal of Ms. Johnson is extraordinary, a definite highlight of the evening. She infuses the role with such soul and emotional clarity that her command of voice, body, and mannerisms feels less like a performance and more like an inhabitation. The supporting cast creates a warm, believable atmosphere, notable for their collective quirkiness and sweet affection. Jayshree (Mati Rajput) is effective as the househelp, and Ajay (Abhishek Saha), as the son, is particularly impactful, using a minimalist approach to convey a wealth of feeling. The live songs from the bygone era, performed by Kurian Joseph, Latoya Mistral Ferns-Advani, and Petra Misquitta, complete the soundscape. The only element that felt slightly under-articulated was the candy floss dancer, where the movements, while earnest, lacked the scrupulous precision and grace of the other components.
What elevates the play is its delicate handling of geriatrics and the astute vocabulary. The English is authentic and effective, possessing a natural, homegrown quality that feels distinctly our own, not borrowed. The theme is approached with immense sensitivity, using humour as a tool for connection, not caricature. Often in comedic expressions, the subject becomes exaggerated. A FISH ATE MY CAT deftly avoids this pitfall. Its strength lies in its hyperrealism—it magnifies reality without distorting it.
This sensitively crafted approach brings to mind Picasso's famous reflection: it took him three years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child. Without inhibition, Ellias's play tells the story of Ms. Johnson, which is, by extension, the story of anyone ageing—a journey of grace, dignity, wisdom, and a hard-won elemental purity, narrated with profound simplicity rather than theatrical gimmicks. In an era where many theatre-makers strive for overt complexity, Ellias's unadorned authenticity feels both refreshing and vital.
Ultimately, the play unfolds like a cherished illustrative storybook, perhaps in the vein of Maurice Sendak, Stein Erik Lunde, or Bárður Oskarsson, where simple yet powerful visuals are used to convey stark truths with a disarming, limpid lightness. It is a beautiful evening, offering a truly sweet and poignant perspective on the grey areas of ageing, seen directly through Yuki Ellias's eyes.
Dr. Omkar Bhatkar is a Sociologist and Playwright. He has been teaching Film Theory and Aesthetics and involved in theatre-making, poetry, and cinema for more than a decade now. He is the Artistic Director of Metamorphosis Theatre and Films.
