Theatre review: Algorithms

Chanakya Vyas
Hindi/Kannada/English
Modern tragedy
90 minutes
: Mayura Baweja, Sambhaji Shivaji Sasane, Savitha Byrappa, Sindhu Sreenivas Murthy, Varun Kainth, Vidya Shanker Mishra, Vishal Patil
*** ½
Plot: Much like our addiction to smartphones, Chanakya Vyas’ play Algorithms absorbs the audience in a series of thought-provoking narratives that trace the agonies of migrant cabbies, who are driving the country’s rapidly growing app-based economy.Often riddled with concerns like long waits, cancelled bookings and ill-behaviour, these drivers are semi-skilled workers, who migrate to big cities from India’s smaller towns and remote villages in search of a decent job. An Indian Ensemble presentation, this 90-minute performance evaluates the passenger-driver encounters that comprise a vital aspect of the algorithms of the tech-dictated taxi industry. It also highlights the constant failure of labour laws to bring a structure and stability to the country’s workforce.
Review: This biggest take away from the play is that it mak es you be a little less arrogant with a cab driver next time when he says that the maps on his phone is not functioning or if he reaches a pick-up/drop location few minutes late. Even though, booking a cab is just a click away, those driving these cars are still human beings. Algorithms is riveting in every aspect. Every scene kind of stirs you up, testifying the in-depth research that has gone into putting together these original narratives. The props, projections, set design, background score and the slew of entertaining dialogues are important characters in the play. Each one in the cast has delivered praise-worthy performances, while the characters played by actors Savitha Byrappa, Vidya Shanker Mishra and Vishal Patil stay on with you for a while. The court scene, featuring Varun Kainth and Mayura Baweja, is unmissable.
Final word: Algorithms brings to light the effortlessness that characterise an app-based economy and the unfathomable impact it has on human connection. The no-frills script and the honest portrayal of characters make this play a must-watch!