The Nepali adaptation of Italian Nobel Prize-winning playwright Dario Fo’s renowned play Non Si Paga? Non Si Paga! (Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!, as translated into English) is being staged at Mandala Theatre, starting this Friday, August 3. The Nepali version of the play is called Sakeko Tiraunla, Natra Firima!, and is adapted and directed by Bikash Joshi.

Borrowing comedic elements from the great tradition of commedia dell’arte—a theatrical style popular among the downtrodden—the play derives its comedy from the public backlash against rising prices.

Speaking about the play, director Joshi says, “Since the play has a universally-applicable, and at once poignant and relevant issue at its centre—that of the plight of the working class—I was instantly hooked the first time I read it. The issue of price hike is a matter of perpetual angst for the common Nepali people. I think the play is relevant at this point of time in Nepal more than ever.”

Joshi added that while the crux of the play has remained unchanged, he has taken liberty with the original. “I read two versions of the play, the Hindi and English, and both included the issues of subsidies—for instance, the ration card in India—that the government grants to the people from lower income groups. So that part is cut out in the Nepali version. Likewise, the professions of the original characters have also been changed.”

The play features Umesh Tamang in the role of a state police personnel; Tamang also plays two other characters. The two couples in the play are played Sarita Giri and Anupam Sharma, and Bijay Baral and Pramila Khanal. The set is crafted by Ramsharan Regmi and Shiva Pariyar while Bikash Shrestha assumes the role of Art Director.

Sakeko Tiraunla, Natra Firima! is Joshi’s third directorial, after 2016’s Aarop and Mira Miraaz.

The play will be staged at 5:30 pm at Mandala from August 3 to 26 every day, except for Mondays.