Even after six years, this Storyboard Productions staging remains a benchmark for how classic British comedy translates to Indian theatre.
Verdict
Jonas David’s power-packed dual performance as Fancourt Babberley and Charley’s Aunt elevates this classic 125-year-old play. While some cast members struggle with flat delivery, the production succeeds in bringing Brandon Thomas’s timeless comedy to life. A worthwhile experience for theatre enthusiasts seeking traditional British farce.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Charley’s Aunt by Storyboard Productions
Venue: Apollo Foundation Theatre
Title: Charley’s Aunt (Three Act Play)
Playwright: Brandon Thomas
Director: Sandeep Tadi
Production: Storyboard Productions
Plot:
Jack Chesney and Charley Wykeham, two Oxford undergraduates are madly in love with Kitty Verdun and Amy Spettigue. Their only grouse is that Amy’s father and Kitty’s guardian, Stephen Spettigue is a sour old man who goes to great lengths to prevents them from meeting, including bundling the girls off to Scotland. In a stroke of luck, Charley receives a letter from a Millionaire aunt he has never met. Providing the perfect opportunity for him and Jack to profess their love to the girls, by inviting them over to lunch on the pretext of meeting Charley’s aunt.
Much hilarity ensues over miscommunication, impersonations and mistaken identities, eventually though with the help of their friend Fancourt Babberley, the boys are united with their love interests.
Review:
This famous play was first performed over 125 years ago in 1892 and broke all records of the time with 1,466 performances in London alone. Which goes to say that there was the weight of legacy riding on the shoulders of the director and cast of this production. To add to that was the pressure of this being a re-staging and it showed.
While Jonas David’s power-packed performance as Fancourt Babberley or “Babbs” and as Charley’s Aunt singularly carried the play through, some of the cast members seemed like they over memorized their lines and had flat expressions. This is by no means a negative remark, merely a reminder that sometimes one gets so engrossed in their task that they forget to have some fun too.
To play characters from the Edwardian era with a dialogue that has a laugh a minute is no mean feat, and all the actors must be thoroughly commended for it. The audience was in splits right through the play, so the director must get his fair share of accolades. However, it was one of those experiences, you walk away from thinking, what if, it could’ve been done better.
Rating: 4/5
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Charley’s Aunt originally written?
Charley’s Aunt was first performed in 1892 and became a record-breaking success in London with 1,466 performances. Written by Brandon Thomas, it remains one of the most performed plays worldwide, proving the enduring appeal of its farce-based comedic structure.
Who directed Storyboard Productions’ Charley’s Aunt?
Sandeep Tadi directed this re-staging of Charley’s Aunt for Storyboard Productions at Apollo Foundation Theatre. The production maintained the three-act structure while adapting the classic British comedy for contemporary Indian audiences interested in theatrical performances.
What is the plot of Charley’s Aunt?
Two Oxford undergraduates, Jack Chesney and Charley Wykeham, invite their love interests Kitty Verdun and Amy Spettigue to lunch by claiming a wealthy aunt is visiting. The ensuing mistaken identities and impersonations create hilarious situations before the boys unite with their love interests with help from friend Fancourt Babberley.
How was Jonas David’s performance as Charley’s Aunt?
Jonas David delivered a power-packed performance in the dual roles of Fancourt Babberley and Charley’s Aunt, singularly carrying the entire play. His strong performance compensated for some flatness in other cast members’ delivery, making him the highlight of Storyboard Productions’ staging.
Is Charley’s Aunt still relevant for modern Indian theatre audiences?
Yes, classic farces like Charley’s Aunt continue engaging Indian theatre audiences through physical comedy, mistaken identities, and universal themes of love and deception. Professional productions like Storyboard’s demonstrate that 125-year-old plays adapt well to contemporary staging and audience expectations.
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