Dario Fo’s ‘The Open Couple’ returns to Hyderabad stage after seven years

Some things stand the test of time, like Faraz Khan’s adaptation of Dario Fo’s The Open Couple. The play with theatre personality Vaishali Bisht playing the protagonist, Antonia, had Anuj Gurwara as the ‘Man’ when it was first staged in Hyderabad in 2014. The play, which takes a satirical look at marriage and relationships, returns this weekend, featuring Vaishali and Rohan Joshi.

Wit and humour

Faraz Khan | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

“We were missing the laughter,” says Faraaz, on reasons to revive the play after seven years. The Italian play written by Dario Fo and his wife, Franca Rame, and translated into English by Stuart Hood, looks at the complexities of modern-day relationships.

Vaishali Bisht as Antonia | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Faraaz was not keen on bringing it back until this year when his company La Compagnie Dramatique got selected for Manch, an initiative by Bengaluru-based Bhasha Centre that facilitates a production company to stage nearly 25 shows of a play in a year to understand the highs and lows in terms of the performances and the economics.

Besides Anuj, Bhavin Patel also played the Man for a few shows in 2017. “We knew the production company would be busy with performances every six weeks at different places, so we double cast,” says Faraaz. While Vaishali retains the role of Antonia, Gaurav Sajjanhar (who acted in shows staged earlier in Mumbai) and Rohan plays the Man. “I was in my 30s when I had directed the play in 2014, and now in my 40s, it’s still humorous,” says Faraaz with a laugh and adds, “The play was a reminder that none of the joy has left.”

Scene from the play | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The production staged in 2014 leaned heavily towards Commedia dell’art (a 15th century Italian theatrical form) where the scenes appear to be a ‘controlled accident,’ a chaos, but with a design element to it. The play has since evolved and the act looks more like choreography.

New medium

Compared to Vaishali and Faraaz Khan, Rohan Joshi who plays the ‘Man’ is new to the world of theatre. “Every day is a new learning experience for me,” says the comedian. “One gets to learn new rules as the medium completely changes. I am excited to be on board and having a lot of a fun.”

Bhasha Centre presents ‘The Open Couple’ by Dario Fo, at Rangbhoomi Spaces & Events on September 26, 27 and 28 at 8 pm; Tickets: insider.in

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