Bottoms Up

Play: Bottoms UpDirector: Bharat DabholkarDuration: 120 minutesCast: Bharat Dabholkar, Anant Mahadevan, Kunal Vijaykar, Bhavna Pani and othersLanguage: EnglishRating: ***A whole new generation has emerged from the time Bottoms Up first made its debut in the 1980s. A popular, one-of-its kind English musical revue in its heyday, this entertainer has now made a comeback, with a few changes.With all the outrage that we’re witnessing with regards to comedy shows and celeb roasts in the country, the play couldn’t have found a better time to return to stage. Its content is topical and revolves around issues, on subjects that Indians can relate to – politics, Bollywood, cricket, news channels, the education system, advertising and marketing, budget airlines and more. Unlike a regular stand-up act, which also has elements of satire, here the jokes are accompanied by songs, dances and oodles of glamour – typical to director Bharat Dabholkar’s style of theatre.The play has been written rather ingeniously – it mocks the establishment and takes potshots at various industries – a formula that never fails to amuse audiences. It begins with an interesting segment, where top Indian politicians come on a news channel to discuss and debate with the exasperating anchor. It’s always fun to see politicians being parodied and you won’t be disappointed. Some of the acts are delightful, with special mentions to the budget airline and education system segments; they are well-written and brilliantly performed. In the cast, Kunal Vijayakar steals the show, whether it’s his school boy act or when he plays a transvestite air hostess. Anant Mahadevan in his many roles is top-notch. You even get to watch Dabholkar act on stage; he is the narrator who introduces the different segments and is effortless.The random fillers and skits that connect the different acts, don’t always generate laughs. A few segments are tedious and predictable but luckily, you’re provided a breather with some scintillating song and dance performances. Surprisingly, though Bottoms Up has adult content and jokes with sexual connotations, it is a show that doesn’t resort to using foul language and abusive words, so at least you won’t be squirming in your seats!