Confusion about dating reflected through play

A girl meets a boy, they fall in love and get married. This sounds so cliched in today's world where dating rules apply and confused relationships exist. Based on such incidents, a play by actor-director Roshan Abbas will be staged here Friday.

The play, "Check Please" is adapted from American writer Jonathan Rand's similarly-titled play that delves into complexities of dating and baggage of confusion they bring.

"The play revolves around the life of people from present generation who are into speed dating, and how the social media, matrimonial sites and several dating apps have an influence on their relationship," Abbas told IANS.

"This is one topic that will resonate with younger audience," he said.

When Abbas, who has donned multiple hats of an anchor, a TV host, a writer and an event manager, read Rand's play for the first time, he thought how the play could be "easily adapted" and presented before the Indian audience.

He has always tried to bring in new formats and brought together an ensemble of 18 people for this "interactive and chatty" play in which the longest dating scene lasts for six minutes and the shortest for 30 seconds.

"I had to keep the audience's attention in mind. They should be subjected to something that is boring...especially something that is as exciting as dating," he said.

Not to forget the message, the one-hour forty minute play will tell the audience, without being preachy that "relationships require time and investment".

"One should be impatient in a relationship. It requires time and honest efforts. I want people to understand that relationships are not like watsapp app, instant and quick. A relationship requires investment," said Abbas.

The play will be staged here 7.30 p.m. at Vivanta by Taj.