The ultimate ribtickler is here

CHENNAI:  They took the stage for the very first time at IIT Madras’ Open Air Theatre in 1991, with the production, Jesus Christ Superstar. Twenty years later, the Boardwalkers are still going strong with over a 50 plays to their credit.This year marks two decades of live performances for this theatre company, which has popular plays like Biloxi Blues, Amadeus, Shrek, The Immigrants, An Idiot for Dinner, Doubt and Reservoir Dogs, to its credit. Celebrating 20 years of success, the Boardwalkers have planned out a series of performances for the entire year. The upcoming performances for 2011 include The Complete Word of God (abridged), The Lord of the Flies, High School Musical and Madeline.The company kickstarts the anniversary celebrations with The Complete Word of God – a comedy where the chuckling, the giggling and the guffaws don’t ever stop. In the beginning, a god-like voice informs us that there was chaos. The disorder continues through the middle and the end of the play, until the rows of audience have dissolved hysterically into the aisles. The play combines shtick, word play, physical humour, sight gags, audience participation and jokes as old as Moses toes. The audience can’t help but give in to the irresistible giggles and the guffaws.Performed first in Chennai by the company at the Alliance Francaise auditorium, for the Magic Lantern Theatre Festival, the play was a hit among the audience. It was again performed in Bangalore and Hyderabad, where it received standing ovations. This hilarious play is back for another run and aptly kicks off the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Boardwalkers.The cast includes Sarvesh Sridhar, Naren Weiss, Biggu Chandilya and Prashant Oliver. It has been directed by Michael Muthu, founder of Boardwalkers.It will be performed today at 7.30pm and also on June 3 and 4 at 3.30pm and 7.30pm at the Alliance Francaise, Nungambakkam. Tickets priced at Rs 150 are available at all Landmark outlets, Pro Music, Egmore and Silkworm Boutique, Khader Nawaz Khan Road. For ticket bookings and enquiries, call 9841248853 or 9841007003.