In 1911, the poet WH Davis wrote:

What is this life if, full of care,

We don’t have time to stand and stare.

More than a century later, it is regrettable that the word ‘leisure’ has almost fallen out of the vocabulary of many of us. But is it necessary to be part of the rat race? Do we always have to be one step ahead of others in our profession? New play for dummies drama mr stranger (written and directed by Srivethsan) focuses on the erosion of work-life balance. This is a much discussed topic and is the core of this drama. However, the energetic performances and Srivathsan’s lively dialogues keep the play from sinking into boredom.

dummies drama Mr Stranger.
| Photo Courtesy: SR Raghunathan

Saryu was charming as six-year-old Vaidehi. Vaishnavi (Preeti) is a successful entrepreneur, but her success comes with a price. He has little time for his family. Due to her passion to always be on top, she wants her daughter Vaidehi to also become a topper in the class. Enter Vaishnavi’s father Sivaraman (Sridhar), who is in debt and has closed down his business. Vaishnavi is embarrassed at his failure, and when he offers her a job in her firm, she tells him that he should not claim any kinship with her in the office. He will be Mr. Stranger there. Sivaraman is old-fashioned and has brought about some changes in the office, including changing the working hours to nine to five. He doesn’t want to take any work home. Vaishnavi eventually heeds Sivaraman’s advice that she doesn’t have to be at the mercy of customers all day. This play also presents a solution to a complex problem.

from the drama mr stranger. | Photo Courtesy: SR Raghunathan

In the small company scenario depicted in the play, Sivaraman’s strict adherence to traditional working hours might have worked. But can it work in a big company or a company that has international customers? mr stranger One of those cozy, feel-good dramas that gives you the idea that the solution to a complex problem is within easy reach. The most important solution was not just to create work-life balance, but to convey the message that failure is not a sin.