Described as a comedy of errors with laughter, surprises and a heartwarming conclusion, Poona Parsee Dramteurs’ show, Where There Is a Will, staged on August 16, 2023 at the Mazda Hall of the Dastur Primary School, continued the group’s tradition of entertainment of over five decades. The group has been performing mostly Gujarati comedies "annually since 1969, except for the pandemic years,” Roshan Chindhy, president of its managing committee told Parsiana on August 29. Written and directed by Rivka Irani, this comedy revolved around the tangled relationships of an eccentric mother, a son with a hoity-toity wife, a daughter married to an arrogant and avaricious husband, and a coveted inheritance, stated the note sent to Parsiana.
"Over the years we have performed many (Gujarati comedies) and in the years when we were unable to find a play within our budget, we had a gala entertainment musical evening followed by dinner,” Chindhy told Parsiana. For about five years they had "our own Rustom Irani and his wife Khursheed directing and acting in the plays but they found it difficult as all are working… Time management and securing a venue for practicing for two-three months (was difficult).” There are problems finding Gujarati speaking youngsters, she said. "To invite professionals from Bombay doing Adi Marzban’s plays is very expensive… We did bring professionals once or twice from Bombay but later we could not afford their rates.”
Clockwise from top l: poster for the "comedy of errors;"
vignette from show; some of the cast members
However, there is hope yet. "Since the last three years my grandson Fabio has good friends who are very young entrepreneurs… enterprising and energetic and love to make merry… And Rivka is the wife of his good friend Khodu Irani of the famous bar and restaurant High Spirits… She loves to write and create stories… Another friend teaches dancing and music… They perform mostly in English with a dash of Gujarati here and there.”
The cast of Where There Is a Will included Keith Pinto, Rustom Rustomji, Fabio Chindhy, Jessica Chindhy, Irisha Poonawalla, Rayomand Irani, Vijay Bharwani, Farrah Gustaspi and Farhad Patel. Gustaspi, principal of Sardar Dastur Hormazdiar High School (Co-Ed), who returned to the stage after 18 years, told Parsiana on August 27 that she was actively involved in theater till college. While she was carving a career for herself as an educationalist, her role was more of support for her students and co-teachers. "It took this long to be presented with this opportunity… Initially hesitant, I pursued it with the encouragement of my family and friends… Now that I am back on stage, I cannot see myself away from it again!”
Established with the objective of "promotion of drama and theater among the young and old talented members of the community… to showcase their talent and bring the community together in camaraderie and serve mankind with a purpose,” the group also endeavors to "be of service and make a difference to people’s lives by generating funds to meet the objectives of the trust,” Roshan wrote. Financial assistance is provided to the needy for education, medical help for the aged and lonely and for women to enhance their skills to become self-sufficient.
Other members of the managing committee are honorary secretary Myrna Dalal, honorary treasurer Tehmasp Bharucha and members Mini Grant and Rukhshana Anklesaria.