Theatre Review: The blunt reality of gender roles

Theatre Review

:

C Sharp C Blunt

Director:

Sophia Stepf

Cast:

MD Pallavi

Language: English
Genre: Drama
Duration: 75 minutes
Rating: ****

Plot: Singer-filmmaker-theatreperson MD Pallavi’s first solo

play

, C Sharp C Blunt is an Indo-German theatrical collaboration that sees her take the stage as a charming smartphone app that attentively listens to the commands that her user makes, and then acts accordingly. The 75-minute performance revolves around a beta test of ‘Shilpa’ – the interactive software programme that has been touted as the most popular app of the year. But the ‘app’ role is not all. Entwined are stories of an aspiring singer, a video game character and a director shooting a rape scene for a movie. A Sandbox Collective presentation, this multiple award-winning dramatic piece is created in association with Flinn Works.

Review: Be it shaking her hips, winking both her eyes or constantly smiling from ear to ear, the app ‘Shilpa’ is very flirtatious. She belts out raunchy numbers in sweet and sexy tones, and talks dirty too. She doesn’t get offended nor does she complains about the random and absurd demands her user makes. An absolute wonder of technology, the app personifies every quality a man supposedly expects in a woman, sans the tantrums. Strikingly apt, the narrative takes a witty dig at gender roles and expectations in today’s world and sheds light on the plight of women in our society, particularly those who are part of the entertainment industry. Pallavi’s nuanced acting skills, complemented by singing prowess make the performance a delightfully-engaging watch. Electronic musician Nikhil Nagaraj, who is onstage with Pallavi, crafting and layering loops from live sound lend depth to the show. The script, however, deserves a special mention, as it manages to drive home the point with its not-so-subtle dialogues and hilarious antics. Nonetheless, what happens after the app upgrades itself to a more intelligent version is worth the wait.

Final word: Relevant and thought-provoking, C Sharp C Blunt couldn’t have happened at a better time. We definitely need more such plays being staged in town, please!