Anant Joshi and Girish Sharma enact a scene

But the play, the director assures us, isn’t deprived of the absurdities and humour that make the novel a favourite amongst generations of readers. “We took limited creative liberty in our adaptation of the classic. The play follows the same non-linear, absurd structure, allowing us the flexibility to place the 41 sections in different sequences,” she shares, further admitting that the actors took some time to get used to the off-beat pacing. “We briefly had an Indian Army official train the actors in the mannerisms of a soldier. But beyond that, my only direction to them has been to not act; for the theatre of the absurd comes alive only when you let go of the confines of your training,” Patel remarks.

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As the actors take on dynamic roles over the course of the play, one would imagine the atmosphere for their wartime escapades is set by flashing lights, echoing sound effects and heavy props. Patel informs us otherwise. “The production is minimalistic. The play relies heavily on the script and the actors’ performances to set the tone. Amogh Phadake has designed a modest light set-up; the props are used sparingly, and the sound design is extremely organic featuring drills and other foley sounds to replicate sounds from a battlefield in an otherwise silent set,” she reveals, adding that this vacuum of silence, in a way, represents the vacuum that the soldiers on the frontline feel.

Garima Yajnik and Kavin Dave share the stage during a performance

For the director, who has trained under the wings of stalwarts like Naseeruddin Shah, Satyadev Dubey and Makarand Deshpande, the play marks yet another attempt to bring her learnings from her mentors to the stage. “Everything I do as a director, I can trace back to my mentors. Satyadev Dubey, for instance, taught me the art of minimalistic stage design. From Makarand Deshpande, I learnt the importance of having fun on stage, and from Naseer sir, I learnt how to use pauses in a script and how much they can sometimes convey,” she shares, adding,” When I enter a rehearsal, I’m never alone. The words of my gurus constantly echo in my mind.”

Trishla Patel

ON March 31; 5 pm and 8 pm
AT Prithvi Theatre, 20, Janki Kutir, Juhu Church Road, Juhu.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
ENTRY Rs 350