Couple Trouble Theatre Play Review

Many theatre lovers were left uncomfortable theatre lovers were left uncomfortable theatre lovers
were left uncomfortable and disappointed after an adult comedy Couple Trouble was staged in the
city.

Recently, the play Couple Trouble was staged in the city by a Delhi-based theatre group. Based on
the Marathi play Aankh Micholi, the innuendo-riddled jokes and dialogues of the play didn't go down
well with everyone in the audience, with some people even walking out in the middle of the
performance. Even though the play was meant for audiences above the age of 18, some people had
come with their kids, apparently unaware of the contents of the play. Because of this incident, the
play that was supposed to be staged the following day, Draupadi, was also cancelled. The last time a
play had created a furore was when the Indian version of The Vagina Monologues was staged in the
city, giving the audiences a 'culture shock' they weren't prepared for.theatre group.

Based on the Marathi play Aankh Micholi, the innuendo-riddled jokes and dialogues of the play
didn't go down well with everyone in the audience, with some people even walking out in the
middle of the performance. Even though the play was meant for audiences above the age of 18,
some people had come with their kids, apparently unaware of the contents of the play. Because of
this incident, the play that was supposed to be staged the following day, Draupadi, was also
cancelled. The last time a play had created a furore was when the Indian version of The Vagina
Monologues was staged in the city, giving the audiences a 'culture shock' they weren't prepared for.
JT spoke to theatre enthusiasts in the city to understand whether Jaipur isn't ready for an adult
comedy or if the audience needs to be receptive to all kinds of plays.theatre enthusiasts in the city
to understand whether Jaipur isn't ready for an adult comedy or if the audience needs to be
receptive to all kinds of plays.theatre enthusiasts in the city to understand whether Jaipur isn't ready
for an adult comedy or if the audience needs to be receptive to all kinds of plays.
Obscenity is unacceptable - Strongly objecting to the content and double-meaning dialogues of the
play, Archana Srivastava, head, drama department of Rajasthan University, says, "Jaipur is not just
known for its architectural marvels, but also for its art and folk traditions. In a city like that, such
obscenity is just not acceptable. I was present during the show and was disappointed to watch it."
Calling the play indecent, veteran theatre person Sartaj Narayan Mathur says, "Obscenity and bold
content are two different things. If a play is based on a bold subject, that's OK, but one should not
show obscenity and vulgarity. There has to be a balanced way of presenting subjects like extra-
marital affairs. One should not take advantage of the subject to show some cheap content to the
audience who have come for an entertaining and enriching experience."
Theatre artiste Arindam Singh says, "I was disappointed to see a theatre actor dancing to a cheap
Bollywood number in the middle of the performance. What does dancing to a cheap song have to do
with portraying an extra-marital affair on stage?"
Audiences should be informed upfront - Asif Ali Sher Khan, who has been doing theatre for the past
15 years, says, "I myself have directed and acted in Manto's plays, which are known for their bold
subjects. But we always inform our audience and then it's completely their choice if they want to
watch it. At least they should have informed the audience by announcing at the very beginning that
it has some bold content."
Hue and cry over petty things- Shakti Singh, who acted in Couple Trouble, says, "There was nothing
obscene or explicit in the play. As far as informing the audience is concerned, all our posters,
banners and hoardings had clearly mentioned that audience below 18 are not allowed. I have no
idea why there is so much hue and cry over the content of this play. Nobody came to us in person
and said that they had a problem with it. In fact, I noticed many people laughing their heart out and
enjoying it."