Writer : Phulmani Verma and Heeba Shah Direction : Heeba Shah Cast : Padma Damodaran
Heeba Shah
Dhruv Kalra
Vijay Tilani
Bhavish Kukreja
Sooraj Sharma
Rytasha Rathore
Jeevan Shetty
Vinay Subramaniam
Kabbir Deshmukh
WHAT HAPPENED Review
WHAT HAPPENED? presented by Alchemy Theatres Group is a quirky, absurd comedy that dives into the complicated relationship between humans and technology. Written by Phulmani Verma and Heeba Shah, and directed by Shah, the play creates a peculiar world where human interaction is constantly challenged by digital interference. With its blend of humour, movement, and satire, it sets the stage for an engaging exploration of how deeply technology has seeped into our emotions, habits, and everyday lives, while leaving the audience curious about what unfolds when that connection is suddenly disrupted.
This play explores the relationship between humans and technology in its many forms. Two women meet face to face and are compelled to spend uninterrupted time together, away from the distractions of modern devices. As they begin to engage with each other, the electronic forces resist this shift, sensing that human will may overpower their influence. Presented as a comedy in two acts, the play weaves together themes of technology, emotional attachment, detachment, and the subtle impact these forces have on human behaviour.
Heeba Shah as the Dancer brings in a contrasting energy; fresh out of a break-up, she is subtle, free-spirited, slightly messy yet grounded, using dance as an escape from her inner chaos. Padma Damodaran portrays the Writer with precision, a character bound by deadlines, peculiar in her habits, conversing with her plant, yet carrying a quiet sense of wisdom. Rytasha Rathore as the Boss of the digital world delivers a sharp, controlled performance, capturing authority with a distinct, almost dictator-like comic edge. The actors handle the absurd structure with ease, seamlessly blending movement, dance, and song into a fluid theatrical form.
The writing and direction treat a serious subject with a farcical tone, keeping the audience engaged in what unfolds next. It follows a dual arc where the lives of a dancer and a writer, both stuck at a certain point, gradually intersect and influence each other. The interval arrives unexpectedly, after which the second half becomes more entertaining and dynamic than the first.
The production uses a minimal set with an office backdrop centred around electronic devices and social media, while the apartments of the dancer and writer are placed adjacent, splitting the stage into two halves with an imagined mirror between them that serves a strong purpose in the climax. The lighting is precise and effective, with the lift cleverly depicted on stage through a square cut-out, enhanced by well-synchronised sound and light design.
The end is somewhat abrupt, as the idea of their energy being sucked up to almost 95 percent through constant device consumption is introduced, yet begins to deteriorate as they move towards alternative creative choices that demand time away from screens. The message of reducing dependence on devices and social media comes through clearly. However, the conclusion takes a farcical turn as both characters meet again and question "WHAT HAPPENED?", making that moment central, especially after the twist at the interval which is best experienced in the theatre without being revealed.
Shashank Jadhav is a theatre practitioner, actor, writer, and director. He is the founder of Occipital Productions, under which he develops work across theatre and films.
