Crystal Anniversary is a play that explores the lives of two performers who give up on their passion to make their marriage work. But is the sacrifice worth it? Find out this weekend

Chakshu Madhok, Johann Vikram Singh, Suruchi Aulakh, Yashwant Singh and Salone Mehta rehearse for the play. Pics/ Anuja Gupta

Salone Mehta and Yashwant Singh, the force behind Crystal Anniversary, are wearing incalculable hats right nowu00a0-- Salone has written and Yashwant is directing the play, in which the two play the lead roles. This, apart from playing full-time parents to two sons, co-ordinating film shoots and acting workshops, is making sure that their schedule is choc-a-bloc. There is a trace of fatigue that peeps through their eyes, but when they begin rehearsing for the play the vibe in the room changes completely.

The couple is working on a new play under Artistes Studio Production after a long time. Last seen in Deathtrap and The Legend Of Ram, they were keen on working on an original play, and so Salone got cracking. In Crystal Anniversary, Yashwant and Salone essay the role of Nikhil, an actor who gives up his passion to run an acting school, and Sherry, a singer who loses the confidence to sing while trying to make her marriage work.

"The protagonists carry on with life, earn money and do well for themselves but they become completely grey. They don't realise that they're missing something," says Salone. The two decide to follow their passion because it is the only thing that makes them happy. However, it's not an easy decision to follow through.

Salone and Yashwant have drawn plenty from their personal lives for the play. Yet, they believe the script goes beyond their lives to uncover a hypothetical world. "The scenes have emerged from several relationships that we've seen around us. We've taken the essence from real life situations but given it a theatrical treatment," says Yashwant.

The director also believes that though Crystal Anniversary is about a husband and wife, who are performers, the play will find resonance among audience members, regardless of their professional background. "The play looks at how everybody starts off a relationship with an idea of what it should be but in the process of achieving the ideal, ends ups losing everything. When you have one foot in the grave, you turn around and think about how you've spent your entire life on somebody else's terms," he signs off, passionately.

On: March 27, 7.30 pm
At: Godrej Dance Academy Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point.
Call: 22824567
Tickets: Rs 250