Five Point Someone - Play by Evam

Well, There might not be many people who've not read the book - Five Point Someone. An instant hit, the book was written by Chetan Bhagat, an IIT-IIM guy, and I believe, the concept and the brand name were the two main reason for its quick success. (The second book by Chetan was One night at the Call center, and this was, if I can say Bull shit).

Five Point Someone - the book - is a one-shot read, but definitely not the kind of book that'll have a lasting impact. Nevertheless, I read the book at one shot, and quite liked the concept - probably because I was in college when I read the book. So, when last week, a friend told me about Evam staging this play at Rangashankara, I badly wanted to watch it.

The desire to watch the play was strong, but I never booked the tickets, and so, I landed at Rangashankara, and barged my way through a crowd of people who were in the waiting list. I someone managed to finally get the last few tickets there ! What a relief, and I am so glad, that, for once I got lucky !


Rangashankara - My first time here. I donot have words to describe the place. AWESOME !!!!!! I loved the arrangements. Be it the food, or the decors, everything looked so much theatre-types (I cudn't find any other word for it. hehe)

Sets - Very simple . The play is one of the best examples of "Sense and simplicity" (sorry Philips!). I could count exactly 4 things on stage - one elevated stage(supposed to be top of the building at IIT), a cot, a table and a chair (and ofcourse the actors) - There was nothing else on the stage - Yet, these props were just enough to enact every scene in the best manner.

Actors - Every single person appeared real. A small anecdote from my expeience : Me and Ranjini were having lunch at the eat-out in Ranga Shankara, and we came across a guy having meals. He was hogging like it was nobody's business, and like he'd never seen food. Later, I realised, he was none other than Alok, the fat glutton and the nerdy mugger, of the play !
It seemed like the characters in the play were very close to their real-life. Be it Ryan, Alok, or Hari, not to forget a mention at all the profs - esp. Prof Cherian (His baritone voice sent me gaga over him! ) - all of them were aptly chosen to suite their character.
How can I forget the narrator - Hari's alter self - The concept of having two ppl enact as Hari, and his alter-self - brought in tremendous clarity and kept up the sense of humor - esp. when Hari's alter self faces the audience after every scene.

This play was directed by the youngest directory of Madras talkies, and I don't think anyone could have done a better job! In short, this was a brilliant experience. Evam will always remain one of my favorite theater group - Their youth, their precision, their profiessionality, and the smiles they bring to everyone's face is commendable !