English play Charley’s Aunt is considered one of the most popular farces by English playwright Brandon Thomas. It broke records of plays with an original London run of 1,466 performances. Storyboard Productions, the city’s relatively new theatre group, is staging the 1892 three-act play this weekend. Although the production company, founded by two budding theatre personalities – Sandeep Tadi and Jonas Davis, joined the theatre circuit recently, it is quite well-known for its short films – Silver Lining and Catharsis. “Both Jonas and I have worked with other theatre groups and had plans to venture into this art form even during the short film days. This year, we decided to make time and get things started,” says Sandeep, who is also the director of the play.
Set in Victorian England in 1892, the story is about Jack Chesney who loves Kitty Verdun and Charley who loves Amy Spettigue. For the boys to get time with their love interests, they need a chaperone. They arrange to meet the ladies while Charley’s aunt is visiting from Brazil. But when the aunt cancels at the last minute, the two boys make a quick plan for another chaperone to step in, in disguise. “The play is known for its physical comedy and situations that are highly exaggerated and thus improbable. It was challenging for us to bring in the right vibe and setting, considering it was set in the Victorian Era,” shares Sandeep, adding that the team of 10 actors (three seasonal actors and seven beginners) rehearsed for more than a month.
At Lamakaan. On March 3, 7.30 pm onwards.