Written and Directed : Paritosh Painter Cast : Aasif Sheikh, Ali Asgar, Shilpa Shinde, Shweta Rohira, Pawan Singh & Vishnu Mehra
TOM & JERRY Review
Let the ongoing summer vacation not mislead you into assuming that the freshly minted comedy TOM AND JERRY is merely a children's play. While it borrows its title and spirited banter from the legendary cartoon duo, the production quickly evolves into a riotous sitcom powered by perfectly pitched performances and sparkling dialogue delivered by a seasoned cast.
Young bachelor Aditya (Pawan Singh) resembles a classic Wodehousian hero - much like Bertie Wooster - carefree, affable, and forever supporting his unemployed friends while himself living off the generosity of his wealthy elder brother, Tom (Aasif Sheikh), who works in Dubai.
Sharing Aditya's home are his out-of-work writer friend Jerry (Ali Asgar) and Jerry's vivacious wife, Shalu (Shilpa Shinde). Presiding over the household chaos is their flamboyantly dressed cook, Rosy Matthews (Shweta Rohira), who keeps the eccentric setup running smoothly. Adding to the madness is a perpetually drunk neighbour who routinely sneaks in through the bedroom window to escape his nagging wife. Life moves along like a merry circus - until Tom arrives unannounced. Panic ensues as Aditya scrambles to justify his lifestyle, and the moment Tom meets Jerry, sparks inevitably fly in a barrage of hilarious verbal duels.
The play embraces the classic mechanics of theatrical farce - frantic entrances and exits, escalating confusion, slapstick humour, and mounting absurdity - all of which culminate in thoroughly entertaining chaos. Tom's Mumbaiya tapori swagger and Jerry's razor-sharp rejoinders further heighten the comic energy. Matters spiral delightfully out of control when Shalu is forced to masquerade as Aditya's wife after Tom reveals he has been financially supporting his "married" brother. Though populated with stock characters and delightfully implausible situations, the play succeeds because of its infectious energy and the cast's zany commitment. Keeping audiences thoroughly engaged in an age dominated by seven-second doom-scrolling reels is no small achievement.
What truly elevates the production are Bunty Rathore's smartly crafted lines, delivered with effortless flair by Ali Asgar and Aasif Sheikh. Their crackling chemistry keeps the stage buzzing with energy, while Shilpa Shinde adds glamour and exuberance to the proceedings. Kashyap Sompura's music effectively enhances the mood, and Paritosh Painter's slick direction ensures the comedy lands with precision, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience. It's a cool comedy, making for a perfect summer outing.
Deepa Karmalkar: (Senior journalist, features writer, reviewer, and now yoga instructor)
