Together they created a laugh riot in the city.
Cyrus Dastur and Tom Alter staged the popular English play 'When God Said Cheers' at JT PAC, Kochi on December 15. The play revolves around a rendezvous between a common man at a pub and God.
Padmashri award winner and veteran actor Tom Alter brings to life the amusing and elegant character of God while Cyrus Dastur, popular theatre artist and writer, essays the role of the common man.
“The play portrays God in a way India has never seen before. Even though there are plays like ‘O My God’, none of them have portrayed God as such a casual character — the ultimate cool dude who sits down and has a drink with you. The idea is not to send a message but to entertain. If you take back at least one message with you from the play it’s great, but it is intended for you to come and enjoy, laugh and have a good time,” says Cyrus.
The play does not dwell on slapstick comedy, instead delivers an intelligent and profound experience that compels us to instead delivers an intelligent and profound experience that compels us to reflect on life and society while enjoying the humour.
“When I was directing the play I didn’t want it to be serious. It had to be intelligent. The questions that the man raises are the ones we ourselves have wanted to ask God at some point of time. So you can easily relate to the play and I think that is what has kept the play alive through ten years and 300 shows,” adds Cyrus.
As the 60-minute conversation about life, poverty and ambition unravels between them over a drink, with God stealing sips from the man’s beer, you are left wondering whether to ponder over the dialogues or to laugh out loud.
The play effectively portrays human nature of wanting to discuss their problems with someone but at the same time points out the irony in the habit of pointing fingers at the same person when things don’t work out.
“We Indians must stop taking everything seriously and let go and have fun, whether it is about God, religion or anything else!” say Cyrus as a parting shot.
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