Theatre review: Four oddballs, one therapist and their multiple avatars to laugh your blues away

Written and directed by Meherzad Patel, 'Laughter Therapy', revolves around four oddballs dealing with anger issues and a psychiatrist (Mona Singh) trying to resolve them. Mahesh Kadam (Danesh Khambata) is a Hindu, who typically eats one banana for breakfast every day and yoga is his only religion; Victor Rodricks (Siddharth Merchant) a Goan Christian, who loves chugging beer, chilling at beaches and checking out ‘chicinis’ (chic in a bikini); Mohammed Abdul Qadir Shaikh (Sajeel Parakh) a gun-fearing Muslim; and Mehernosh Siganporia (Danesh Irani), a loud-mouthed, straightforward and clean-hearted Parsi.In the opening act, they find themselves thrown in at a court-ordered therapy session by Dr Bombay (Mona Singh). Their differences are as varied as their personalities. As the play progresses, they try to resolve them by doing a few exercises, including a visit to each other’s houses only to find that they have more in common between them than their differences.

All the actors regularly appear and reappear as different characters throughout the play. The ease with which they transform from one character to another is impressive. From a therapist and an 18-year-old to an 80-year-old Parsi lady, Mona Singh delivers a credible performance as she plays as many as seven characters. Danesh Irani brings out the simplicity and eccentricities of a Parsi gentleman very well, apart from playing other characters. Danesh Khambata juggles with the roles of a simple Brahmin, polished gay character, God-fearing Muslim and an alcoholic effortlessly. Siddharth Merchant as a cool, carefree Victor from Goa is quite convincing and Sajeel Parakh plays a vulnerable Muslim guy with equal aplomb. The play is well-packed with crisp dialogues, smart punchlines and witty one-liners. It has an interesting mix of characters who turn down cultural and social stereotypes with a heavy dose of humour.
Mona Singh as a therapist