We are all curious about relationships, be it marriage, a live-in relationship, or other kinds of equations that exist between people. We are also curious as to what works in a relationship.
In this 1 h 05 min play, LOVE >>MORE OR LESS<<, we see a married couple Shireen and Arjun, exploring honesty in their marriage, debating throughout, trying to find their ways to make their marriage work. It is set in today’s time with each character doing reasonably well in their respective professions. The play begins with the couple in disagreement, constantly arguing with each other. Yet, we see their underlying compatibility. They open up to each other about their feelings for people outside their marriage, putting each other in an awkward situation. They debate about following their instincts or rules of marriage, about what serves them or restricts their freedom. You witness moments of frankness, awkwardness, moments of tension followed by heartache and affection.
The writing is very relatable. It doesn’t seem loaded in spite of the debate including a variety of topics like rules of marriage, norms of marriage and society, gender equality, evolution of culture, domestic violence, freedom in relationships, etc. The humour helps the audience deflect before they are pulled back again into the original debate. The conversation is really interesting and makes you think about the possibility of openness in a relationship and the tricky part of it. Some dialogues may look unreal as it's difficult to find such candid conversations in real life. If you come from a traditional mindset, some parts of the act may put you at unease.
You find great chemistry between the actors. Even though the two characters are exploring a utopian idea, it feels real, thanks to the honest performances by Errol Rodrigues and Vandana Bhushan.
The play takes you through a journey of arguments between the couple and ends at a good note rewarding the honesty between the couple-- it is their compatibility and will to be together among all tensions that guides them to come to an understanding.
The set gives the feel of a house of a married couple. The music is entertaining.
Honesty may not be needed or rewarding for all in real life, but kudos to Errol and Vandana for pushing the audience to think out of the box. If you are a thinking person and wonder about relationships then you will surely enjoy this play. The humour keeps you engaged in the fun of the debate.
*Diiva Dhanoya is a Mumbai-based writer, actor and voice artiste. She is the lead actress of the film Jacqueline I am Coming and is currently working on translating a book by John Britton.
