I was to stage my tiatr ‘Pai’ at 3:30 pm atMapusa. Just before the start of the show, there was a technical problem and the sound system failed. For nearly one hour wecould not locate the exact fault. I made an announcement that the show would becalled off, and refunds of the ticket money were available to those who wishedthem.
At around 5.00 p.m. we did locate the fault and it was found that the amplifier‘fuse’ had blown and on replacing the same, the sound system began functioning. Around 25people or more entered the green room and began arguing with us that they didnot wish to avail of a refund, but would like to see the tiatr. They exerted alot of pressure on us to start the show. They were in no mood to move out.
Having no other alternative, I began the show at around 5 pm. The break for theinterval came in exactly 30 minutes, and after a short pause, I started thesecond half. The tiatr ended in exactly one hour, and the main curtain droppeddown. The reason for doing this was that I had another show lined up at 7:30 pmthat evening at distant Quepem. Seeing my action some people came inside thegreen room and began questioning me about the short duration of the tiatr. Ireplied back ‘Yes, this time I have scripted a much shorter play; it is onlyone hour in duration’.
Having finished my show at Mapusa, I reached much earlier than expected atQuepem for my next performance. I set up the stage and had to wait for the audience to arrive,since they thought I would be arriving late due to the delay at the earliershow at Mapusa. But I reached there much earlier than expected. Sometimes suchsituations arise and you have to take things in your stride.
PrinceJacob
Asrecounted to Daniel F de Souza
