It’s war! say the mamas

An alcoholic mom and a flirtatious mother-in-law land up at a couple's home. Having successfully raised two children, they try to apply the same rules to the mothers-in-law. Who ends up raising whom in this household? Find out tonight at the premiere of Red Hot Mamas

First-time director Troy Ribeiro wanted to stage a play that came with a social message but he wasn't sure if audiences were ready for a serious social drama. "It's quite alright if I manage to entertain a few people while delivering a social message," says Ribeiro. He adapted playwright David W Christner's comedy, Red Hot Mamas, to tell a story that will find favour with senior citizens in most metros.

HIGH ON FAMILY LOVE: A scene from Red Hot Mamas has Satchit
Puranik as protagonist Dave, Mini Ribeiro as his alcoholic mom Ingrid,
and Aman Uppal as an Alcoholics Anonymous coach; Puranik with Mansi
Jhingran, who plays his wife Ayesha

The two-act play follows Ayesha (Mansi Jhingran) and Dave (Satchit Puranik), a couple with grown-up children, leading a quiet life. One day, all that changes when Ayesha invites her recently widowed mother-in-law, Ingrid, to move in with them. Not to be outdone, Dave's mother-in-law Sylvia masterfully invites herself over too, and before you know it, the house is a war zone.

The story revolves around the mothers, lending the play its name. Mini Ribeiro plays Ingrid, one of the two "red hot mamas". says Ribeiro, "Ingrid is really quite a loveable character. She is an alcoholic widow who appears like a control-freak but deep down, she just wants to be re-connect with her son."

With one mom hitting the liquor cabinet and the other hitting on every guy in sight, the couple find themselves playing parents to their own moms. But soon, the sparring moms find they have more in common than they thought, and tired of being treated like children, they run away from home. Find out what happens next at the premiere show tonight.

Catch a repeat next Sunday at the Sophia Bhabha auditorium. Puranik, who plays Dave, says, "People will identify with the story. All families go through adjustment problems, and we've explored the subject with a few laughs thrown in."

AT: St. Andrew's Auditorium, St. Andrew's College campus, Dominic Road, off Hill Road, Bandra (W), 7.30 pm
Passes: Rs 150, Rs 250, Rs 350 and Rs 500 each
CALL: 26513224 / 25