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The Hindu : Vaishali Bisht enjoyed acting in a play when she was nine and went on to graduate from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England in Theatre and Drama Studies. The Hyderabad-based playwright, director and actor was here with her crew to stage theself-scripted “Face Off” (a set of five monologues) and “Write, Rite and Right” at Ranga Shankara.Says Vaishali, “It just happens that I am a woman and I am reflecting the experiences of what happens when you’re in an urban setting.” Vaishali wants her audience to think about her play.“I want to exist as a member of society and in doing so, the audience also becomes part of the same and shares what has being performed.”Becoming a script-writer, director and actor for Vaishali has been out of compulsion. “It was difficult to find a director with a script.” Shimmering white curtains, a pair of sequined peep-toe sandals on the floor, candles flickering and Indian music playing made for a dreamy setting for the first monologue. “Waiting for Mr. Right” looked at the life of Shama, a woman in purdah who is ever hopeful of a prince in shining armour. Despite the enchanted setting, the lines were inaudible. “Tit for Tat” followed Shivani, a successful career woman played by Smriti Thapa. Though again, the direction was striking Smriti’s acting was bereft of emotion or intensity. Her delivery was marred by a bad accent, diction and pauses.“Man of my Dreams” looked at Swati, a teenaged girl who is again longing for Mr. Right. The repetitive portrayal of women as eternally waiting for the man of her dreams was oppressive. Says Vaishali: “The idea was to delve into the internal landscape of a woman, rather than look at her inner thoughts as defined by patriarchal society.”“Man of my Dreams” and “An Affair to Remember” only endorsed the concept of women waiting for things to happen to them….More