Salvadore Dali, an eminent Spanish artist, once famously said, “What’s important is to spread confusion, not eliminate it.” He said so a long time ago, but it’s found meaning for theatre director SP Singh Sengar today. Staging his new play, Comedy of Terrors, he explores how confusions can change somebody’s life forever.
Considered one of the best works by actor and playwright Dario Fo, Sengar feels he’s been fortunate enough to have a script like this to refer to. “Comedy of Terrors is all about confusions within confusions. Due to one such confusion, the face of a big industrialist, Mr Bidla, who meets with an accident, has to be changed to resemble Shaligram’s, one of his employees. The wife of Shaligram, Savitri, takes him home, thinking him to be her beloved husband. Meanwhile, the real Shaligram also arrives. Savitri is now utterly confused between the two,” says Sengar, adding, “Can a simple plastic surgery create havoc? Yes, it can create havoc, in addition to a sea of laughter.”
The director chose this script because it’s infused with generous amounts of humour. That’s one thing he holds very close while treating his narratives. “If you can make somebody laugh, you’ve achieved merit beyond anything else,” he says.
Although, the play has been written thoughtfully, with almost no scope for changes, Sengar feels that he did consider infusing industrialist Bidla’s character with more personality. “Perhaps, it would’ve given a better picture of the conflict between the protagonist and Bidla. But, that came as an after-thought,” he confesses. Nonetheless, satisfied with what he’s achieved, Sengar says he’ll be watching the audience’s reaction from the corner of his eyes.
Date May 31
Time 6 pm
Venue Shri Ram Centre, Mandi House
Tickets Bookmyshow.com