First Reading

Bijoy Gupta conducts the first 'script reading' session for his play

Hari Singh Shekhawat is on cloud nine. From Kadak Singh Jailer, he has just been ‘promoted’ to the rank of Inspector Zalim Singh – the role he would essay in Bijoy Gupta’s new play to be staged in the club’s Annual Day function early next year.
It is the main role. “I have written the role keeping Shekhawat in mind,” revealed Gupta in the course of the first 'script reading' session this morning. “Nobody else was as keen to play the part. He insisted on being Zalim Singh!”
Shekhawat has obviously tasted blood after playing the much talked-about role of a bumbling jailer in the play put up on the last Annual Function. Zalim Singh is very much up his street – more so since it has been tailored to suit his histrionic talent.
However, he was strictly warned not to let the cat out of the bag by reciting his lines to all and sundry, as he used to the last time around. In fact, the script reading session this morning was a hush-hush affair, conducted in front of a select audience – mostly those associated with the play.
Even so, curious passersby could not help overhearing Gupta’s full-throated narration and chuckling to themselves. One young bystander made no secret of his interest in the goings-on and hovered around till the end, breaking into sporadic peals of laughter like a madman.
By common consensus, the rib-tickler should be a runaway hit – the main highlight of our Annual Function.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
It is good that a beginning has been made. Let us hope that the event will prove attractive and be remembered by all.