Get on board: 'The Bored Room' explores corporate politics with humour

(Right) Digvijay Savant (seated) and Nandan Majumdar rehearse for the play

Betrayal, power play, inter-generational differences and transactional relationships, all comprise the tricky terrain of workplace politics that we navigate gingerly every day. In its latest production, which premieres this week, the Bombay Theatre Company will bring alive a slice of this corporate life drama, featuring two bickering colleagues.

Titled The Bored Room, the play comprises theatre actors Digvijay Savant and Nandan Majumdar. Founder and director Raveesh Jaiswal recalls being introduced to Savant, fondly known as Diggie, by actor Avantika Akerkar, who features in his upcoming film. "We began chatting and connected, as both of us had had a corporate career. Around the same time, I was contemplating the idea for our next play and reached out to him," shares Jaiswal. After brainstorming together, Savant ended up writing the play, he adds.

Although situated in a corporate set-up, the story, Jaiswal notes, will resonate with all kinds of viewers. The team also roped in people who don't have a corporate setting to review the script. "The themes - relationships, betrayal, power play, office politics, survival instincts and dynamics of generational gap, all layered with a touch of dark humour - are relevant to any kind of work environment," he explains.

The story revolves around two colleagues - an older employee, Mr G, played by Savant, and Mr S, the younger employee, played by Majumdar. The duo does not exactly get along and they also harbour ideological differences. "Amid larger issues within the company, an incident unravels, which compels them to come together and resolve the issue, by setting aside differences and connecting at a human level. Both have high stakes involved," the director reveals.

With Jaiswal, Savant and Majumdar hailing from corporate backgrounds, the trio drew from their experiences while working on the 70-minute production. "It's a contemporary story that people can relate to over time. I hope to stage it regularly over the years, as well as send it to theatre festivals. With the play, we will also present a one-of-a-kind theatrical device," signs off Jaiswal.

On: October 13, 14 and 15; 6 pm and 8.30 pm
At: Creative Adda, Versova (October 13); Veda Factory, Versova (October 14); Si Bambai, Fort (October 15)
Log on to: in.bookmyshow.com
Cost: Rs 300