26 August,2010 07:54 AM IST | | Priyanjali Ghose
A new English play Lazy People explores how humans attribute their failure to other factors and not to slacking
While describing laziness once, the famous 19th century American-Lebanese poet, artist and writer Khalil Gibran said, "The lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest and then becomes a host, and then a master."
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Decades later, as if to prove his point, a city based theatre group Pratikriyaa is bringing on stage this Sunday, a new English play: Lazy People. Streaked with humour, the play depicts how laziness affects and obstructs the course of human lives even in the modern recession-infested Bangalore.
Explaining why laziness during recession as a concept attracted him, Abhay Bhargav, the writer and director of Lazy People says, "Laziness is a basic human trait that is deeply rooted in theu00a0 society. The play shows how when recession hit Bangalore, many people were using it as an excuse for not doing things in life."
The play revolves around the lives of a self-professed best-selling author, an unrealistic businessman, a rule-bending internal auditor and three partners of a criminal ring.
But they have one thing in common-laziness. Despite endowed with intelligence, none of them like working and thus are unsuccessful. They all form a part of Bangalore when recession is at its worst phase.
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All of them are disappointed and frustrated. Wallowing in self-pity, they blame recession and fate for their plights.
The first four acts chronicle the individual lifestyles and issues ofu00a0 all these characters. However, suddenly in the fifth act, a twist of fate brings them together and what follows is a hilarious mish-mash of accidents.
Bhargav, who confesses that connecting the last act with the previous ones was most the challenging, says, "The humour of the play comes from the situation and dialogues. We don't judge the characters or try to portray them in a particular light."
The uniqueness of Lazy Play lies in the fact that it does not judge slacking as a vice or virtue. Instead, it manifests as a human trait to which anyone can fall prey.
The humorous narrative is a sensitive account of what happens when laziness grips your senses and spoils the zeal to do anything constructive.
Light hearted and feel good, Lazy People will not only tickle your bones but also make you wonder how a human trait destroys possibilities and creativity.
At KH Kala Soudha, Hanumantha Nagar
On August 29, 7 pm
Call 98450 89030
For Rs 125
