Comic take on India’s history well worth it
SA audience gives Gidwani play a warm reception
A HISTORY lesson of a different kind had the audience roaring with laughter during Ashvin Gidwani’s hit play, History of India VIRitten.
It was performed by Bollywood cameo actor Vir Das, who did an excellent job of telling the tale of India’s illustrious history.
The talented Das, 35, who made a cameo appearance in the 2007 Bollywood hit Namastey London, is a stand-up comedian and actor born in Dehradun, India, and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. He kept the audience of 700 well entertained.
Before making our way to the Mandela Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Complex, we chatted to guests who were stocking up on alcohol and chips before the show.
Gidwani briefly greeted the guests as they arrived. He said he was excited about staging his play in South Africa. “I hope the audience enjoys it.”
He added that he hoped he would make a lot of money, having earlier indicated that he was not part of the show, but there to “count the money”.
We got to meet the stars, Das and his opening act, Kavi Shastri, also a stand-up comedian. Both men were equally attractive but decidedly unfriendly.
Later, we spotted top South African fashion designer JJ Schoeman and his partner, Leon Maré, snapping selfies.
Schoeman and Maré made for interesting conversation. Finally I got the chance to meet the man behind the gorgeous dresses.
Both men share my penchant for exquisite jewellery and showed off their one-of-a-kind locally designed neckpieces, made with white and yellow gold and blinged with a few diamonds.
We had a bird’s-eye view of the stage. Gidwani gave a short speech before he introduced the stars. First up was Shastri, who warmed the audience with his great sense of humour.
He was followed by Das, whose performance was exceptional. In a lighter look at the history of India, he brought out the humour in what is an epic tale of the rise, fall and rise again of the Indian dynasty.
It is definitely a show worth seeing.