Roseferns puts his best foot forward

PANAJI: Everyone loves a good laugh. Yes, they really do; even from a serious tiatrist like Roseferns.
‘All The Best’, the 85th production from Roseferns, is like nothing you have seen in the recent past from the King of Centuries, and on the evidence of the fantastic response it received during its recent show in the city, it will do the director’s reputation no harm.On the contrary, it could just add another feather to his cap.
First things first. How do you convince Antonette de Maina to give up on her flashy dresses and opt for something so de-glamourised? Antonette’s dress sense on stage has always been the ‘talk of the town’, but audiences who took their seats for ‘All The Best’ rubbed their eyes in disbelief when Sharmila, or ‘Shambu’ as her father-in-law (Roseferns) called her, took to the stage. Unusually different, both in dress and act, as the ‘Karwar girl’, Antonette grabs your attention with her acting and wins all round praise. As the tiatr progresses and her sacrifices become all too evident, you feel for her and genuinely crave for a happy ending.
Ulhas Tari, one of the Konkani stage’s more accomplished actors, is entirely convincing in his role as the two-timing husband; but despite his character having shades of grey, you never really despise him. Then there is Creto, who could give established comedians a run for their reputation. As a tiatr-loving person, Creto slips into different roles with ease and is as good as the originals he imitates, like Francis de Tuem, Luis Bachchan and even Churchill Alemao.
Nobody, though, provides you more laughs than the comedy quartet of Richard, Neto, Dorothy and, surprisingly, Rosario de Benaulim. Despite an interesting subject that Roseferns handles so amicably, you really wait for the comedy acts to follow and they do not disappoint as Regi and Elly also join in the fun. The best, though, is saved for the last as a shooting scene spirals out of hand.
From among the four, comedian Richard needs special mention. Fast-improving as one of the leading men to make the audience laugh, even single handedly, it helps that Richard – as Alex Conceicao, or AC in short – is seen in the main play as well, and leaves a lasting impression.
The biggest laughs, though, are unwittingly provided by Antonette de Maina, who steals the show with her unique way of saying “Mhozo azo mhaka sodanch sangtalo” (my grandfather always told me). The only time she fumbled with her lines was when Cretto imitated Luis Bachchan, but the audience, laughing their hearts out, couldn’t care less.
The laugh riot, though, overshadows a strong performance from Roma, who lends solidity to her role as the unknowing second wife.
Just why Roseferns chose a comedy theme for his 85th tiatr production remains unknown, but he really knows his audience like nobody else. ‘All The Best’ is among Roseferns’ best in recent times.