In the field of tiatr, there have been path breaking tiatrists who have created history. Some tiatrists introduced novelties on the Konkani stage while others, left a lasting impression in the hearts of the audience. Some of those noted tiatrists of yester years are still remembered today for their experiments on stage.
Other tiatrists, especially the tiatr
directors, along with their respective troupes, have equally made a trip abroad
and staging their shows at venues never visited before, have also created
history, thus opening new avenues for other tiatrists to follow.
There was a period when tiatrs were not
quite popular in Goa and renowned tiatrists from Mumbai would plan and schedule
their new productions in Goa. After striking a deal with the producers and
stage managers, the entire troupe from Mumbai would descend in Goa and after
successful staging of a couple of shows in Goa, would return home, content,
entertaining the tiatr fans in Goa.
Over a period of time, tiatr directors from Goa paved their way
to the Gulf countries. After obtaining a quick visa and completing all the
formalities, the entire troupe would fly to various parts in the Gulf, namely
Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and entertain the tiatr lovers settled
abroad.
When the expenses started surpassing their restricted budget,
only the main cast would be selected by the tiatr directors to make trips
abroad. And the rest of the cast, including the musicians, would be handpicked
from among the tiatr fraternity settled abroad. Of late, staging of tiatrs by
the Goan tiatr directors have declined drastically in the Gulf. Trips to Gulf
countries were a regular feature in the past. The best of tiatrs staged in Goa
would be selected and booked for shows in the Gulf.
With a good majority of tiatrists already migrating to the UK
for their daily bread, staging of tiatrs by UK-based tiatr directors in the
European countries have become the latest trend. There are several new
productions already lined up for different seasons and due to lack of
entertainment via tiatrs in the UK, every new release is a crowd puller.
More than the tiatrs staged in Goa, there are tiatrs being
staged on regular intervals in the UK. Undoubtedly, there are tiatrs staged in
Goa by a handful of tiatr directors, but the attendance of the audience is on
the decline. And the fear of ‘tiatr’ facing a slow, natural death in Goa is
already gripping the Goan tiatr fans.
In the recent past, tiatrs penned and directed by the Goan tiatr
directors have also paved its way to the US and Cayman Islands, thus creating a
history of its own. Tiatrs staged there have also received an overwhelming
response from the Goan community settled in those countries.
Several tiatrs by the Goan tiatrs directors have paved way to
the UK. Some directors have managed to take the entire troupe abroad, while
others had to face restrictions due to non-availability of visa and other
formalities. But now, comedian Agostinho is planning to get his new tiatr ‘Past
Is Past’ to Goa, after creating waves in the UK. He is flying with his entire
cast, including two UK-based musicians, to Goa, thus creating a history of his
own.
Speaking about his immediate plans with tiatr ‘Past Is Past’,
comedian Agostinho said that 16 shows have already been scheduled in Goa. And
with good response in England, Scotland, Ireland and France, with shows staged
at ten venues including Sudbury, Villiers, Swindon, Bridgwater, Reading,
Brackley and Feltham, he is expecting a crowd puller in his hometown as well.
“My tiatrs penned and staged in Goa in the past have always
received a good response from the tiatr fans, both in the cities and villages,”
reveals comedian Agostinho. “My tiatr audience knows the capability of my
script and direction and confidence follows the success of my new production,”
he mentions.
The cast in comedian Agostinho’s tiatr ‘Past Is Past’ will
include Salu de Lotulim, Mathew Araujo, Bunty Vaz, Laurent Pereira, Andrew de
Zuari, Nicky Carvalho, Olavo Gomes, Luis Bachan, comedienne Janet, Swizel
Almeida, Jasba and Andrea. The musicians from the UK will be Framton (keyboard)
and comedian Agostinho’s son Aidan (trumpet), while the musicians from Goa to
join them include Senon (trumpet), Daniel (bass) and Jack (drums).
From among the artistes in comedian Agostinho’s troupe, Bab
Andrew says that he is all excited to come down to Goa in order to entertain
the Goan tiatr fans with his songs and minor entry. His daughter, Andrea is
equally excited to regale the tiatr audience by her acts in the new production.
In
the past, comedienne Janet, who has been tickling the funny bone of the tiatr
lovers in Goa with comedian Agostinho and late Selvy as her immediate stage
partners, is thrilled to make a comeback on the Goan stage for the love of
tiatr and the Goan audience. She’s accompanied by her daughter, Swizel Almeida,
who will also pull up her comical shoes at shows chalked out in Goa.