Ben Evangelisto giving final touches to PEZ

Ben Evangelisto giving final touches to PEZ
Daniel F. de Souza, Goa

In June 2005 when Anil Kumar staged M. Boyer’s ‘Sonvsar Sudhorlo’ a masterpiece of the mid-seventies it was a real treat to the tiatr lovers. The show revived back sweet memories of the golden era of tiatr of the seventies and eighties. People flocked back to the theaters like never before. Director Anil Kumar no doubt was a satisfied man for having tasted sweet success with this experiment. But, one actor who stole the limelight in ‘Sonvsar Sudhorlo’ and won the hearts of the tiatr lovers was none other than character comedian Ben Evangelisto who played the key role of late Jacinto Vaz to the hilt. The popularity of Ben Evangelisto as a character comedian attained a new heights with his near imitation of late Jacinto Vaz.

But soon thereafter in early 2006 Ben Evangelisto migrated to the United Kingdom in search of greener pastures. While there in UK, somewhere in July 2006, he staged his much acclaimed drama ‘Chondrim’ for the expatriate Goans. He also took part in Konkani Musical shows in different parts of Europe and Canada with Lorna and other Goan artistes. But, Ben did not act for any other director in Goa or elsewhere in India since the time he did the role of late Jacinto Vaz in ‘Sonvsar Sudhorlo’.

As a director Ben has tasted sweet success with his intellectual tiatr ‘Devak Zai Zalear’ a contemporary tale that first time experimented with a unique subject of surrogate mother-ship on the Konkani stage. The show was an instant success. In September 2007 Manfa Music Margao released this talented character comedian’s video album of songs ‘Ben’s Top Hits’. Two songs in this album were picturised in London. ‘Londoncho Mog’ together with English actor Gabriela for instance was picturised below the famed Tower Bridge in London, this is perhaps the first Konkani song to be picturised at this picturesque location.

After almost a two and a half year stint in the United Kingdom Ben Evangelisto has returned back to his roots for a short holiday and his fans will soon see him back on stage with a bang with his new production entitled ‘PEZ”. This tiatr is slated for release on 21st June 2008 at 3.30 P.M. at Hanuman theatre, Mapusa. Ponda tiatr lovers get an opportunity in their town on 22nd June at 3.30 p.m. On 25th June at 3.30 P.M. at the Vidya Niketan, Margao, and the show comes to Panjim on 1st July 2008 at 3.30 p.m.

Speaking to this writer, the playwright was reluctant to spell out the storyline of his new tiatr. However, he did hint that the story is inspired by and based on some real facts that had a larger ramification on the social and moral fabric of Goa quite sometime back. He also disclosed that the show will have some appealing stage sets and visuals. As a director with progressive ideas who had the courage of experimenting with the intellectual subject of surrogate mother-ship on the konkani stage, one can surely expect yet another intelligent plot in his new venture ‘PEZ’.

‘PEZ’ is having a vast cast comprising of some top Konkani stage artistes. Mumbai based Antonette Mendes, Syvester Vaz, (Kuwait), singer Akki (London) Comedian Luis Bachchan, Aniceto, Dolla Mascarenhas, Ron, Fr. Neville Gracias, and Music director Theo Alvares of Chris Perry fame along with the other artistes are going to come together to make PEZ a tasty traditional presentation in every sense of the word. Do book your tickets in advance to avoid last minute disappointment and to discourage sale of tickets by unscrupulous black marketers.