Aadyam Theatre’s ‘As Bees In Honey Drown’: A Satirical Take on Fame, Social Media, and the Pursuit of Success

Dilip Guha, New Delhi: “Aadyam Theatre” -an Aditya Birla Group initiative, staged its latest production, ‘As Bees In Honey Drown’, an adaptation of Douglas Carter Beane’s award-winning theatre play – a hilarious Comedy with thought-provoking satire on contemporary culture at Kamani Auditorium New Delhi on 22nd July 2023.

The play is adapted by Akarsh Khurana and directed by acclaimed theatre director Anahita Uberoi. The phrase “As Bees in Honey Drown” is an expression used to describe a state of complete absorption or surrender to something pleasurable, much like how bees can become so absorbed in honey that they drown in it. Fame, like honey, can give one a rush of sweet pleasure, while it can also drown one with its stickiness. This contemporary satire portrays an unquenchable thirst for fame and startling revelations as the play progresses, making it remarkably relevant to today’s scenario.

Director Anahita Uberoi is successful in delivering this amusing production that lampoons our society’s obsession with fame and triumph and does so with humor and wit.

Talking about why this play is relatable in recent times and scenarios, Director, Anahita Uberoi to this reporter, said “Entertainment has always been so huge but in the last few years, so much happened in the space of OTT platforms and social media. Social media has allowed people to present themselves in the way they want to present themselves without any intermediaries. It has become very easy to project yourself in the shiniest, brightest, and happiest way. It is about a young writer meeting this fantastic woman and the crossroads between literature and the cultural/entertainment worlds.

This play jumped out at me as it exposes the relationship between arts and commercial success with wit. As social media has encircled almost everyone who has a Mobile, the notion of success has changed its dimensions which have become more relevant in today’s society.”

“I find the relationship between any kind of art and commercial success fascinating. Now, more than ever, everything is about image and perceived success and everyone is looking for the next hot personality to “follow”. This play is a delightful delve into the journey of a star-maker whose muse is a young writer, who she promises to make into the next best phenomenon.” She added.

The play’s storyline revolves around a prospective author “Dhruv Gandhi” who captures the attention of Alexa DeVitre, a popular socialist who has made the world of celebrity her home. She wanted Dhruv to write the screenplay of her life story. Dhruv, a young gay willing to do anything to hopefully climb to success with his writing– to meet with whoever will give him the right kind of attention, and yes, to use his potential sex appeal to sell some copies of books.”

It is in this overexcited simplicity that he meets the outrageously fashionable and despicably wealthy Alexa. He follows her into life for a few days as she styles him into a man of dignified appeal much like her.

As the story progresses, the two begin what looks to be a beautiful romantic relationship. But suddenly, she disappears, and with her, she takes his dignity. Alexa has conned him out of tens of thousands of rupees and run. He becomes obsessed with untangling her identity, first by tracking down her other victims and finally by finding his way to the husband she claimed killed himself, still alive, and a peaceful painter in the woods. Nick/Nikhil, the artist, tells him how he, many long years ago, was partially responsible for the creation of Alexa.

As the series unfolds, it keeps viewers at the edge of their seats, offering a roller-coaster ride of suspense and tension that leaves an indelible impact.

The play’s title, As Bees in Honey Drown, alludes to a motto Alexa teaches Dhruv, and it also serves to thematically summarize the show, “humanity gasping for air under the weight of its own culture.” In this raucously dark comedy by Douglas Carter Beane, “As Bees In Honey Drown” beautifully illustrates how fame, like honey, can be enticingly sweet but also has the power to drown those who fall for its alluring trap.

The noticeable thing about the play is its cast. In terms of performance, Aditya Rawal played the lead role of Dhruv Gandhi skillfully.

Shikha Talsania, who played Alexa DeVitre, justified her character as she could beautifully bring out the change her character undergoes during the play.

Other casts also perform well. The play features a stellar cast of proficient actors, including Ashwin Mushran as Ronnie’s Manager Krish Katyal, Chakori Dwivedi as Shabana who played the role of receptionist and dancer, Meher Acharia Dar as secretary, Insya & Natasha, Tavish Bhattacharya as Nick, Melroy, Ronnie and others who do complete justice to the original adaptation.

Needless to say, Anisa Uberoi’s makeup and hair design, Devang Manjrekar and Juhie Gupta’s Set design, Kaizad Gherda’s sound & music with Gurleen Judge’s & Argha Lahiri’s lighting created a mesmerizing environment on stage. At the end of the day, it was a heartwarming performance by the artists and crew of Aadyam under the direction of Anahita Uberoi. The play has truly added another feather to the cap of Aadyam.