There's Something About Simmy

Yesterday my cousin called suddenly...would I be interested in watching a play? With a name like There's Something About Simmy, I obviously was game...I definitely needed a good laugh and some relaxation from the hectic work at office...

After much excitement we finally reached the theatre - Rifco Arts...coz it seems the address that we had was incorrect...a friend's Tom Tom took her to a residential address. The address was correct but it was some labyrinthine route...

The play is primarily in English with some Punjabi. But no worries for those who do not understand Punjabi...they have English subtitles scrolling at the top of the stage. Surprising...eh? I would say damn intelligent...

Revolving around arranged marriages in the Asian community, the second generation Asian identity crisis and the ever-widening gulf between the young Asians raised in UK, and their parents, it was totally delightful...

Simmy is the imported Indian bride...but Raj, the groom, has run away before the honeymoon could begin! Until he returns, Simmy is locked in the house by her community obsessed mother-in-law…

Simmy is thoroughly convincing as the young Punjabi-speaking gal straight from Bathinda or Moga or some small town or village in Punjab... her accent and behaviour is so typical. She deserves a standing ovation for that accent. The other character that really liked is the steadfast mother-in-law, Gurbaksh.

The outrageous aunties as they focus their binoculars on the family from their windows for the gossip are also very good. One inquisitive one comes to their house and when left alone in the living room for a few minutes opens drawers and clicks snaps!!!

The other brother Harry is thoroughly westernized who has turned his back on his heritage. Simmi and his conversations in the beginning are side-splitting...he says something in English, she replies something else in Punjabi. He roams around with his shirt and her scandolous looks are good...and then fulltooosh Bollywood style they gradually fall in love.

The Bollywood dance numbers are amazing… and the way they did them was sooo good...suddenly bright saris drop down from the roof and in between those the couples start dancing.

To sum up the evening...no regrets!!!