I Killed My Mother/ It Wasn't My Fault #PicksAndPiques #JohnsonThomas #Theatrewala #TheatrePlayReview

#PicksAndPiques #JohnsonThomas #Theatrewala #TheatrePlayReview
Play Title: #IKilledMyMotherItWasntMyFault
Cast: #ShreyaSharma #AsthaGulati #Dusha #MeghnaManglani #AnoushkaZaveri #MithilRajGoswami
Writer/Director: #MallikaShah
Producer: #MeghanaAT
#PaytmInsider #BhashaCentre #TheOtherCirclePR #Manch
Rating: * * *
Runtime: 65 min

Writer-Director Mallika Shah’s drama on overthinking and the post-millenial generation is as insightful as it is humorous. The 65 min comedy-drama, makes cognitive coherence it’s coming-of-age yardstick.

The play is likely to resonate with young urban women and men through its fairly compelling narrative. The story brings to the fore, troubles young adults have while navigating society both online and offline. In today’s dynamic work-life landscape, Gen Z and Millennials have to deal with pressures that often have them grappling with overthinking. They have to navigate complex digital environments while being bombarded with information - making it easy to get lost in a sea of thoughts.They constantly dwell on what could go wrong and the challenges thereof can sometimes feel monumental.

In the fast-paced world where challenges and uncertainties abound, Gen Z and Millennials find themselves needing to excel. The fear of failure, and the pressure to stand out causes unnecessary stress, crippling inaction and depression - thus hindering productivity. Instead of embracing practical strategies like facing up to things as they come, resolving issues one at a time, practicing mindfulness, setting realistic goals and learning from failure they end up getting caught up in the spiral of blame - Generation gap, Doomscrolling, Lonely Swiping, Job hunting and never finding what the want - which inturn causes disorientation and angst beyond their control.

Represented though contrary voices, we see a girl wake up and realise that she no longer has a job. She fails to take responsibility for her own failings and ends up fighting with her mother instead. Later, we see her at a party with her date. At the party, she feels totally alone and alienated from what is happening around her.

The protagonist here, is a 25-year-old girl, oscillating between her inner and outer self. The audience sees her alter-egos hanging around her, prompting her in different directions while she tries to navigate through an ‘ordinary’ day. The conflicts she encounters - including that which she has with her mother, are brought out beautifully. There’s a certain cynicism to the writing and the provocative title signals the captivating play on words that the playwright employs to put forward her point of view.

Shah’s play contrasts privelege of having protective and giving parents against the ungratefulness and frivolity of youth. The protagonist has parents who provide her with love, security and a certain well-being and in return they expect some sense of responsibility. But the girl is not prepared to take responsibility and blames everyone but herself for her failures. Shreya Sharma plays the protagonist, while four other ensemble members give vein to the voices in her head.

The production showcases a talented ensemble featuring Shreya Sharma, Astha Gulati, Dusha, Meghna Manglani, Anoushka Zaveri, and Mithil Raj Goswami. Young and talented, the actors deliver a unique and thought-provoking theatrical experience. The actors, especially the lead, do a wonderful job representing the protagonist’s complex emotional world plagued by the relentless cruelty of self-doubt, societal pressures, unemployment, singlehood, and generational discord. The writing is sharp and witty, the sets are sparse yet appropriate and the direction is smooth-flowing. It’s a dark thought-driven world and the self-deprecating humor in the writing enhances the experience. The turbulent thoughts of the young girl are brought out quite succinctly with pop-cultural references and fitting use of multimedia elements.This kind of performance puts forward a quasi-realism that enlivens the drama, helping immerse the audience in a vivid, unparalleled experience.

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