I'd heard so much about this wonderful play and how many people claimed it to be a life changing experience for them. When I first heard it was gonna be performed in my city... I just HAD to go and watch it. Didn't know what to expect. And I refrained from 'Googling' it on the net and spoil my highly anticipated, and as my friend would describe it 'Life Changing Experience'.
So as I settled down in my seat, first row, might I add, I saw 5 empty chairs on the stage with huge stacks of pages on them. The chairs were all set in a single row and there were no other props... actually there was absolutely nothing else on the stage. I've been tricked, I thought... into watching a dull boring seminar about women screaming and complaining about how they've been suppressed by men throughout the ages. Hey ... Don't get me wrong !!! I am the first guy to stand up for women's liberation and women being self reliant and independent... but being in the center of the first row from the stage and getting picked on by a bunch of angry women while they target me..... Me??? Anyone who knows me would be able to tell you that I am a totally wrong representative for all the men that women might think are the major cause of all their problems in life. So... I am sorry...but this didn't like my idea of a fun evening.
I waited anxiously as the auditorium filled up with...guess what...more women !!! Finally the lights went down and this pleasant looking woman came center stage to welcome the audience and requested everybody to switch off their mobiles and pagers. The way she requested for the same was one of the funniest things I'd ever heard anyone say on-stage. Trust me !!!
And then started the main act with the words ...
“Let's just start with the word "vagina". It sounds like an infection at best, maybe a medical instrument: ‘Hurry nurse, bring me the vagina!’”
That... set the tone for the evening and I realized that its not going to be such a horrid evening after all.
What followed...really WAS an experience I'll never forget my entire life. The whole play is basically a narration of various monologues by a group of women who, one by one, transform into various characters solely on the basis of voice modulation and body language. So you get to hear a 9 year old's experience growing up confused about her sexuality, a corporate lawyer turned prostitute (at service... only for women), a middle class Maharashrian woman's encounter with a man called Atul Kulkarni ( No...not the actor) who loves to look at her....er.. you know uhh.... what the 60 year old parsi woman's monologue calls - 'maari nicheli jagah' (my thing ...down there). All the performers bowl you over with the fluidity with which they slip in and out of different characters and the one actress who deserves a special mention is 'Jayati Bhatia'. I could see the play, atleast 10 more times...JUST for her. Her portrayal of the corporate lawyer turned ...ahem...'Woman Pleaser' made me laugh my head off. And the moans....oh the MOANS that she belts out of her talented little self are just a sheer moment of magic in the world of performances.
I'd recommend...every woman...and EVERY MAN...to go and watch the very next show of Vagina Monologues thats performed in their town, that is IF you can get your hands on the tickets. Thats right...every show is completely booked within hours of the start of the ticket sales.For those of you in Mumbai...the next show is on 19th April at Fame Andheri. Hurry and book your seats...NOW !!!
[Umm... just so you know...its not a movie...its a play....so dont ask for the last row in the auditorium :) ]
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