Hilarious take on newlyweds awaits drama enthusiasts

AHMEDABAD: Ex-Mican and young director Siddhant Lahiri of Curtain Call, a group of English drama enthusiasts in the city sums up their next presentation 'Barefoot in the Park' in one line "After the wedding, comes the marriage."
The English play, woven around the lives of newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter as they adjust to married life in their new apartment, will be presented at Prakash School auditorium on July 16.
'Barefoot in the Park', based on the hit Broadway play by Neil Simon is in fact the second presentation of Curtain Call in the city.
The group which, as Lahiri says was the result of frustration among a few young people who berated the lack of a vibrant theatre scene in the city, had earlier presented 'Halfway House' at Natarani.
Their dream is to celebrate English dramatics and the hidden talent in this city to create the much needed vibrancy of theatre.
Siddhant is joined in his effort to by three other friends - Pranshu Jadon, Janaki Oza and Nivedita Sarkar - they experimented with the timing of 'Halfway House', a serious presentation heavy on emotional turmoil.
Presented during summers, which meant absence of the traditional drama crowd of IIM-A, NID and MICA, the group dramatics managed to attract a crowd of around 400 Amdavadis. Siddhant says the inspiration for the new presentation comes from the numerous phone calls following Halfway House, where people asked them when the next play would be.
"That made us realize that there is a large section in Amdavad that is hungry for good English theatre."
This time, 'Barefoot in the Park' comes as a comedy. "We are just trying to present a good, relatable story, because a good story, well told, has universal appeal," says Siddhant about this play.
One interesting aspect about Curtain Call is most of its members are from outside the city, but they have chosen to stay back in the city they have grown to love. "Curtain call is simply our way of giving some of the city's love back to this warm, wonderful city."
The show, which begins at 7.30 pm on Saturday will have entry by invitation, which can be collected from the venue.