#PicksAndPiquesEnglishTheatreReviewsJohnsonThomas #TwoAdorableLosers

#PicksAndPiquesEnglishTheatreReviewsJohnsonThomas

Play : #TwoAdorableLosers Cast: #DarsheelSafary #AbhishekPattnaik Written by #AbhishekPattnaik Directed by #MurtuzaKuttanawala Rating: * * * ½ #OutOfTheBoxProductions OOTBProduction@Facebook OOTB_Production #TheTurningPointBrandConsultants #RomaPerieraTalwar

A culture clashing comedy highlighting the differences between two people from different corners of the country while they learn to cope with their deficiencies, each teaching the other to paper over his ineptitude. This two character play revolves around a statistics teacher, an Oriya who hasn’t yet polished his English speaking proficiency, Professor Jolly (Abhishek Pattnaik) and a poorly performing TYBA Statistics student, Akshay (Darsheel Safary), who, on the Vice Principal’s recommendation approaches the former for extra classes. The Professor has issues with the VP for having superseded him to the post and is reluctant to take on someone who will need too much attention but eventually they arrive at a bargain(beneficial to both) where the Professor teaches Akhay(as he calls him) statistics while Akshay teaches him spoken English. What follows is a rib-tickling clash of speech patterns and manners which eventually lead to an unlikely, though wary friendship between the two disparately opposite personalities. This is a mannered comedy where the two characters play off each other and strike enough sparks to set the entire auditorium rumbling with laughter. Abhishek Pattnaik’s Jolly is brilliantly toonish with ticks and traits that stand out when pitted against a suave, smooth and mouthy Akshay played by Darsheel Safary, working up an efficient foil. There is enough slapstick here to keep you regaled – save for some unnecessary monologues that lengthen the playtime and sometimes tend to tedium.

There’s a supple understanding between the two actors which allows them to time their speech to perfection. The make-up is convincing, the sets are spare but adequate and the lighting and sound do well to lend greater definition to the two characters. This play is certainly worth the price of a ticket or two. Johnsont307@gmail.com