A rendezvous with God in a pub

[1]

What would be your first reaction when you come to know that the person sharing beer with you is the almighty? The most obvious response would be expecting explanations for your struggles and sufferings.
This was the context of the play When God Said Cheers that was staged at the Country Inn, Chattarpur in the capital recently. The play, directed by Cyrus F. Dastur and adapted by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, is the story of a common man, Cyrus’ (played by Cyrus Dastur) rendezvous with God (Tom Alter) in a pub and their discussion of life over a pint of beer.
While the initial conversation between God and Cyrus is about the usual ordeals that a common man goes through every day, as the play progresses, it looks at grave issues concerning mankind with a touch of humour.
The play has been staged in all the major cities across the country in the last 10 years when it was first adapted. And over the years, a lot of improvisations and additions have been done.
“There are not many structural changes but cosmetic changes have come in,” says Cyrus, and adds that the play is an experiment that shows that even God won’t be able to help if the man doesn’t take steps on his own.
In a very understated way, at one point the play gives out the message of how even God feels helpless when mankind starts fighting amongst themselves over issues like religion, property and many other irrelevant things.
While the play was interesting enough to keep us hooked, the facts associated with it were no less interesting. Tom revealed that it was Kashyap who was to portray God in the play. “In fact, in the first few shows, he even became the God. But then, he got busy with his film Black Friday. Cyrus and Anurag had come to me to request if I can take up the role,” says Tom, who has enjoyed playing God in all the shows staged after that.