Even after several wildly successful runs this star cast keeps coming back to their home production that has never outgrown them.
With an ever changing script, Gentleman is always a fresh breeze for the audience. Writer and director of the play, Anil Abraham elaborates on the magic of relevance as this time around Gentlemen will be looking at issues that hit closer home with the characters exploring topics such as alternative sexuality, India’s changing political climate, famous potholes and even the Hrithik-Kangana controversy gets a mention! “This is not a static production as the script kept changing with the conditions around us. I have had audience members who have come in more than once and finding that each time was different. In that sense it is dynamic and the fact that it is a combination of theatre and stand-up comedy which was not popular when we started off in 2002. The characters blend together on stage but there is also an element of topicality discussed,” he says.
The star cast consisting of Ashvin Mathew, Anil Abraham himself, Ajith Hande, Rajeev Ravindranathan and Kirtana Kumar are well-known names in the field of theatre and visual arts. The dynamics have only gotten better for these guys, with time! Anil adds. “We all have worked with each other at some point in time with each of us having different roles and responsibilities. There is healthy respect for other because of the dynamics we have shared before.
The characters have also evolved with the script. Rajeev Ravindranathan adds how he plays the grown up version of his character which started out as a teenager in the earlier version and is now reminiscing his childhood. “The issues that we tackle are universal.
They keep coming back in so many different contexts gender clashes are at the fore right now. While the play doesn’t preach, it touches upon societal misconceptions and how they directly influence the thinking of a man in the Indian society. It’s interesting to be a part of the play like that and evolve with the character. “
Kirtana Kumar, the solo female in the cast shares how her character stirs things up among the men. “The play is very much part of my own work with regards to issues of gender. I would like to think that I am a provoker among them as the gentlemen have their own issues and woes that they don’t talk about.” Coming back together to put up one of their all-time favourites is as Ashvin Mathew puts it, “Too much fun to let go!” “This is one of the few times I just can’t say No . I also think that this is one of the only pieces that Anil has not taken away or added too much to and the only change has come through the mannerisms and the evolution of characters,” he quips.
