Is it a crime to even smile, I wonder. Leave alone laugh. During these times. And as I’m about to suffer the guilt pangs of daring to laugh, I’m reminded of a quote by Mark Twain. “Humanity has unquestionably one effective weapon — laughter.” He continues to articulate his thoughts in a manner that we in 2022, the survivors of the pandemic and occupants of a world infested with suspicion, shouldn’t find it tough to resonate with. “Power, money, persuasion, supplication, persecution,these can lift a colossal humbug, push it a little, weaken it a little, century by century, but only laughter can blow it to rags and atoms at a blast. Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.”
The inspiration
When I try mapping these words of Mark Twain to the histrionic exhibition of the legendary Charlie Chaplin, especially in the pathos immersed entertainers like The Great Dictator and The Gold Rush, I’m also able to read the connections. The self-deprecating antics of Rowan Atkinson’s Mr Bean and the influence of the Monty Pythons on comedy is best compared to the Beatles’ influence on music. And this discovery makes me a proud presenter of the Dhruv Mookerji created universe called The Comedy Kitchen. Dhruv, inspired by legendary comic acts, has weaved together an entertainment-packed, subtle satire, with a mission, which is to make the audience laugh. As a discerning audience I try and look at punishment in the garb of discipline in one of the playlets and the lynching behaviour of sky-rocketing medical expenses after the initial laughter paves the way for lesson or reflection in another entertaining skit. The purpose of The Comedy Kitchen is to provide the much-needed laughter.
Know the deets
When two of the best talents of their generation, Apratim Chatterjee and Dhruv Mookerji, get their act together on June 30 at 7pm in Gyan Manch, Theatrecian will want every single soul in the auditorium to laugh. Laugh without an iota of guilt. The team also composes of SRFTI graduates Rwikjit Roy, Aaron Targain, advocate Arush Sengupta, financial data analyst and versatile actor Dipanwita Chatterjee who will serve the much-craved meal, to satiate the hunger for laughter. The cast is complete with the powerhouse of acting talent, Deborshi Barat.
Mission success
The Comedy Kitchen with Calcutta’s talents have enthralled audiences at the Canvas Laugh Club, in Mumbai (the only theatre group from our city to perform in this Mecca of comedy) the TATA NCPA experimental theatre (Mumbai), the Jagriti Theatre in Bangalore and Alliance Franchaise along with the Akshara Theatre in the capital.
Special thanks
Today’s production is also being presented by author Alakananda Pramanik and finance advisor Pankaj Shah. Young entrepreneur Taufeeq is part of the presenting team as well. This Theatreecian venture is happy to associate with the young dynamic team of Shriek of Silence and the versatile Script Production. Ahava Communication is the host for the evening along with Take 5Communication.
An evening like The Comedy Kitchen banks on a proficient backstage team. Elder care practitioner Sanjukta Deb has been a proficient stage manager, almost executing stage operations without much assistance.
Closing message
Ever since its inception, about a decade back, The Comedy Kitchen has served a specific purpose. The production outfit has tried catering wholesome entertainment to a
15-plus audience. We’ve had many in the audience who have shared the therapeutic impact of laughter and expressed them in testimonies. This motivates Dhruv and his team to keep ‘dishing’ out more meals, with a variety in the menu charts. Let’s laugh together, once again, with — The Comedy Kitchen.
The author is the founder of Theatrecian and a film faculty at Pathways World School, Gurgaon