Mumbai’s first Fringe Festival promises laughter and reflection from March 11-15

Taranjit Kaur and Dilnaz Irani in The Chai Queens

In restless dreams I walked alone, narrow streets of cobblestone," the 1964 lyric by Simon and Garfunkel might as well have been about every Indian artiste's dream of reaching the famed streets of Scotland, where the legendary Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes place. Better late than never, the fringe format is finally making its way to Mumbai as artistes and audiences prepare to hop between neighbourhood venues to catch standout acts.

ON March 11 to 15
AT 3 Art House, Khar West; Gharaonda, Bandra West; Khar Comedy Club; Khar West.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com (for timings and entry)

Funny business

The festival opens with an all-star night in SoBo with a line-up featuring Kanan Gill, Varun Grover (below), Sapan Verma, Shreeja Chaturvedi, and international acts
Michael Ahern and David Hoskin, that will leave you in stitches, happy ones.
ON Today; 8.30 pm
AT NCPA, Nariman Point.

The Guide's top picks

Chai pe charcha

Two queer lovers reunite 15 years after their first romance in Taranjit Kaur's Chai Queens, an internationally acclaimed tale of queer lives in India. If you're feeling contemplative, stop by the newly opened café to reflect over a cup of chai.
ON March 13 to 15
AT 3Art House, Khar West.

A word on war

Described as a ‘superior poet with the ability to engage reluctant audiences' by critics, David Lee Morgan's (below) Uncle Tom's War explores revolution, resistance and the lessons of history through the spoken word. Timely as it can get, we say.
ON March 12 to 15
AT Gharaonda, National College Lane, 32nd Road, Bandra West.

The Scottish solo

Pic Courtesy/VeronaSkyFringe

London-based theatre company, The Shakespeare Edit brings alive the Bard's Macbeth. Director Paul Goodwin (below) performs the Scottish drama to the memorable compositions of Ukrainian composer, Dmitriy Saratsky. It plays onstage ‘tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow'; or in layman speak, all four days of the main festival.
ON March 12 to 15
AT 3 Art House, Khar West.

Holmes' homecoming

David Stuart Davies' Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act begins with Holmes returning from the funeral of Dr Watson. Over the next hour, he revisits their most remarkable cases in a monologue to his departed companion. Nigel Miles-Thomas (below) plays 14 characters. Should you catch it live? Elementary, my dear Watson.
ON March 12 to 15
AT 3ArtHouse (March 12 to 15); Khar Comedy Club (March 14)

Whole new world

Richard Watkins. PICS COURTESY/ARTISTES' INSTAGRAM

What if your favourite Disney films had queer characters? In Happily Ever Poofter, Richard Watkins (left) plays the only gay prince stuck in a classic fairy tale kingdom. Expect some witty reworking of familiar Disney numbers.
ON March 12 to 15
AT Khar Comedy Club (March 12, 14, and 15); 3ArtHouse (March 13 and 15)