Marking the fourth day of the 12th Bhopal Rang Mahotsav, Hindi comedy play ‘Shriman Chor’ was beautifully presented. The play was staged here on Friday at Shaheed Bhavan auditorium. Based on the Italian play Virtuous Burglar by Dario Fo, the 1 hour 30 minute play was all about whirl of laughter.
The play is directed by Ishteyak Khan and was presented by the artists of Funtoosh Players, Mumbai. It is a satirical play in which a burglar who is in the act of burgling the house is interrupted by the arrival of a couple who are in fact having an affair. The farcical complications that ensue also involve the arrival of the burglar's wife. In the end, as they are all arguing among themselves, yet another burglar arrives to burgle the flat.
The play begins with a burglar breaking into a luxury flat. His wife phones him and he is annoyed. As he hangs up, the owner of the house and a woman turn up. The burglar hides inside a grandfather clock. The owner and the woman are having an affair.
later, the burglar's wife calls and the owner answers. The burglar's wife thinks she is talking to her husband. The owner explains that he isn't her husband. Suddenly, the burglar emerges from the clock. The owner and the woman think they have found the 'detective' and plan to shoot him.
The burglar convinces them not to, but instead, gets him drunk. The burglar proves he is a leading member of a notorious gang.
Suddenly, the owner's wife turns up. The owner takes the gun and forces the burglar to pretend to be the woman's husband. The comedy ensues when another man, who is owner’s wife’s boyfriend appears in the scene.
With various twists and turns, the play managed to capture the attention of the audience. The play was well presented on stage.