Direction : K Chandrashekara Cast : K Chandrashekara, Bharath Dhingri, Mariyamma Chudi, Siddharth Rakitha
COCKROACH AND COMFORT Review
Ever watched a production where a play breaks every notion, tradition, and known stage rule and presents something entirely new? Cockroach and Comfort draws the audience into a hilarious joyride as three characters navigate relationships, careers, and responsibilities in modern India.
Performing to a packed audience, the spectators roared with laughter as the characters attempted to pull off their 'production,' only for the wheels to come off the vehicle. Not one moment of calm as the characters attempt to get through 12 scenes but, funnily enough, only make it through four of them and then start improvising their way through.
From Mariyamma fainting halfway through the show to Siddharth rapping for his introduction and Chandrashekara's character having difficulties directing the play, one can understand why the crowd howled with laughter at the characters' misgivings.
The use of silence in the production was particularly interesting, as even during the quiet moments, the attendees watched with bated breath for the next domino to fall.
With a minimalistic set and a handful of props, the one-and-a-half-hour performance relies on the actors to do the heavy lifting. Constantly breaking the fourth wall, introducing the characters, and playing hide-and-seek with the audience, the audience was treated to a rollercoaster ride.
From Chandrashekara's energetic presence and loud voice to the soothing vocals of Mariyamma, the actors brought dry humor to the play, making it impossible to look away.
There was a raw energy, real passion, and an honesty to the performances that was unlike any other. A biting satire, the play encourages the audience to not just chuckle but to think about political issues and the current state of the world.
Filled with sharp observations and mockery, one could say that the audience was watching a game of wits play out on stage, as the characters and the production not only got the laughs but also got the message across.
*Supriya Rajnish is a writer, aspiring actor, and theatre lover deeply interested in the power of narratives and the immersive world of the arts.
