NSD Second Year Students enthral audiences with farcical comedy play “Shriman Chor?”

New Delhi: The National School of Drama’s Second Year Students are currently presenting “Shriman Chor?” or Mr. Thief, a lively Hindi adaptation of The Virtuous Burglar by renowned Italian playwright and Nobel Laureate Dario Fo. Adapted, music designed, and directed by Ishtiyak Khan, the production has been receiving an enthusiastic response from audiences at the Abhimanch Auditorium, National School of Drama, New Delhi.

A farcical comedy filled with humour, satire, and unexpected twists, the play follows the story of a thief who breaks into the house of a wealthy man with the intention of committing a robbery. However, a series of unforeseen events soon plunges him into a web of misunderstandings. As the homeowner arrives with his secret lover, followed by his wife, the thief’s wife, and other unexpected visitors, the situation rapidly descends into comic chaos.

Through its witty narrative and fast-paced situations, the play explores themes of marital infidelity, social hypocrisy, and human relationships. While the respectable characters struggle to conceal their indiscretions, the play humorously highlights the honesty and straightforwardness of an ordinary thief. Blending satire with laughter, the production offers an entertaining yet insightful commentary on contemporary society.

The costume design in the play has been done by Dipankar Paul, Sandy Singh has contributed to the sound design while Divyang Srivastav has designed the light in the play, and the set design has been executed by Shardha Vishwas and Niloy Dey.

The play is being staged as part of the National School of Drama’s ongoing theatre activities and will continue with the final performance scheduled for 7.00 PM on 9 June 2026 at the Abhimanch Auditorium, NSD Premises, Mandi House, New Delhi.