Tiatro "Dev Nith Kortolo" A review by Joe Lobo
Goan Tiatro fans got their money's worth when they attended the almost 550+ house-full performance of "Dev Nith Kortolo", a Konkani Tiatro directed by Jr. Menezes, on June 18th at Michael Power School Auditorium in Etobicoke, Toronto, Canada. The Tiatro was well received by the audience, although the play took more than 4 hours to finish as usual including one hour interval. There was a small sound system problem in the front and the voices of the actors were not that effective as a result. Other than these little trivial negatives, the overall Tiatro presentation was just superb and the audience loved as was evidence from the frequent applause. The highlight of the evening was a nice pre-play video presentation which was a backgrounder to the life-style of its main character, a corrupt Goan politician, Mr. Coelho. This video coverage elaborated his luxury life-style through country-side, his retinue of supporters accosting him every time shouting slogans all the way, and after he had made his grand entrance in his house, the play started with his physical entrance on the stage, which was quite an impressive transition. Mr. Coelho impregnates a young girl and leaves her for dead when she asks him to marry her. The play then resumes 25 years later. The play depicts the playboy and corrupt practices of Mr. Coelho, who takes in a live-in lover in his house and ill-treats his own wife, whose place, he says, is in the kitchen. In the end God does him justice and Mr. Coelho has to pay for his sins. Joe Vaz as Mr. Coelho was excellent and Winnie Crasto (great singer too) as his mistress was very convincing. Great acting by Maria Pereira (the wife) and Tony D'Silva (son) and other supporting cast of Francis Moraes, Grace Almeida, Caji Rodrigues (another great performer) and Patrick Pereira did honours to this great play. The main show-stealer of this Tiatro was Serah Barbosa, acting as a first time comedienne Kitty as she put on a great comedy performance as a stammering chonchoiem, who along with the great performer, singer, director comedian Jr. Menezes kept everyone laughing all the way with their combined comedic roles in this Tiatro. All singers were great but the singer/actress Vinny was as usual very impressive. Likewise Joe Vaz did his best as the crooked politician and as a singer. Hazel Thomas was another classy singer. Another singer whom the crowd adored was Martha, a 85 year old lady who dressed as a man and sang with popular Auggie who dressed as a woman. Another impressive little girl was Jr. Menezes's little daughter Nikita Menezes in "Pun tum mozo Daddy". Stephanie Menezes sang with Charmaine Menezes in a nice duet. Mr and Mrs Menezes sang a nostalgic Hindu duet "Banastari". Willie Gracias has a great voice and he sang along with his sister Winnie. Jr. Menezes sang a couple songs too. Benny Pereira also sang and acted as an announcer at the nightclub. Clema did quite well as a night club dancer and singer and her daughter Janessa sang "Konkani Bhas". The nightclub scene too was another impressive presentation. All actors and singers contributed immensely towards this production. The show was compared by Olavio Da Costa. The band was by Cooty.. Keep it up, Toronto! Three cheers for Jr. Memezes and his gang! Viva Goa! Viva Toronto!
