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Play spotlights intolerance
A new play named The Class Act aims to spread a social message using humour as a tool. The play is set in an acting class, where five characters from across India come together and clash fiercely on various issues.
A new play named The Class Act aims to spread a social message using humour as a tool. The play is set in an acting class, where five characters from across India come together and clash fiercely on various issues.
What ensues is a comedy of errors. Meherzad Patel (21), who has written and directed the play, also enacts the lead role of a tutor. The premise may seem similar to that of the hit TV series from the ’90s, Zabaan Sambhalke.
But Patel disagrees. “In Zabaan Sambhalke, language was the barrier among characters,” he says. “In the play however, everybody understands English. The trouble begins when they fail to get along with each other, as everybody is from a different religion.
It show how intolerant we are.” Patel adds that the play also dwells on gender stereotyping. The female character is an independent woman who faces gender bias.
The four characters include Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Parsi students. They have been inspired by real-life people Patel has met over the years.
“The audience will be able relate to them as they watch the play,” he says. “The character sketches are very contemporary.” The play is produced by Silly Point Productions, founded by Patel.
