Steamy scenes

A black comedy set in a sauna directed by Sunil Shanbag will return to the stage this week after 15 years

Steamy scenes

A visual from the poster of The Hot Room

Currently, Studio Tamaasha’s performances are being held on the open air-terrace space at their Andheri venue. With room for 25, the set-up is small. But that’s how The Hot Room fits perfectly into the picture. An hour-long production, the Hindi play revolves around only two characters, an archaeologist and a businessman who meet in the hot room of a health club. They strike up a conversation that spirals into a game of one-upmanship. So, director Sunil Shanbag decided to revive it on stage, after 15 years.

Sunil Shanbag

Back in 2006, the play was staged as Garam Kamra starring Kumud Mishra and Prramod Pathak. “It’s one of the plays I’ve always enjoyed. It’s very sharp, and black comedy is a genre of theatre we don’t often see,” says Shanbag. The play, written by noted Hungarian author, playwright and journalist Frigyes Karinthy, has been translated into Hindi by Raghuvir Sahay. Chinmay Kelkar and Bhushan Vikas will enact the titular roles. Vivek Jadhav is helming the set design and Shanbag states that the sauna setting will be a visual attraction.

Bhushan Vikas and Chinmay Kelkar will play lead roles

He also informs that there have been no changes to the script. However, two new actors do bring a different feel to it. “It’s the kind of story that remains relevant [through time]. It’s about two men — strangers — who have a chance encounter in a sauna, and men haven’t changed in years!” he quips. Both characters have hidden secrets which are uncovered through the play and Shanbag cautions that the end is quite dark. “It’s very funny but it also shakes you up. Essentially, it shows toxic masculinity; but it is also about ego and how we present ourselves to the world. That said, the genre reflects tremendous wit,” he adds.

On: March 26, 27 and 28, 7 pm
At: Studio Tamaasha, 602, Samarth Vaibhav, Millat Circle, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West.
Log on to: insider.in
Cost: Rs 250

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