The cast at rehearsal
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From July to September every year, Michael Muthu is a self-confessed Grinch. That is when the search for the annual Mellow Circle Christmas play begins. He goes through various scripts and does not come out of Grinch mode till he finds the perfect one. “We are running out of good plays; there aren’t enough Christmas plays available in the world,” he says, a tinge of worry lacing his tone. This year, they found a play online. “We had to rework it. It required a lot of editing and rewriting, and now we have a play ready,” he adds.
It is titled Trials, Tribulations and Christmas Decorations. The two-hour production revolves around John, who is visited by his daughter Kimberly and her husband. Kimberly wants her father to get into the holiday spirit, and invites people to John’s house to celebrate the festive season. When a blizzard strikes, all of them get snowed in together, leading to heart-warming and comedic exchanges.
John, is the archetypical grinch. But he was not always like this. He used to be a fan of the festive season — his house would shine with lights, decorations, and decked up trees, and his doors were always open to friends and strangers. Circumstances changed him. The play will reveal what led to this, and if he will go back to being the John of yore.
“It’s a feel good story that has a bit of comedy and emotions. It also talks about how people have trials and tribulations and how it’s resolved with the love of companions,” says Michael, who directed the play. The nine-member cast includes Yohan Chacko, Tehzeeb Katari, Roshan Poncha, Anushka Maria, Rohan Philip, Katya Philbert, Larissa Philbert, Arya Saravanan, and Serah Jachin.
No Mellow Circle play is complete without the choir. A 40-voice choir — directed by Roshni Sharon — will present around five beautiful songs of the season. This is Mellow Circle’s 26th Christmas production, with Michael directing at least 21 of those, he says. This year marks a special milestone for Mellow Circle as it launches its new initiative — Prathyasha Home for Destitute Women, a project dedicated to offering shelter, care, and dignity to abandoned and vulnerable women in the community. The proceeds from the musical will go to support the operations of this home.
The shows will be staged at the Museum Theatre, Egmore, at 6.30pm on November 28, 29, and 30. Donor passes are available through Premier Tickets, with denominations of ₹400, ₹750, and ₹1,500 for Friday, and ₹500, ₹1,000, and ₹2,500 for Saturday and Sunday. For details, contact 9841074841 on WhatsApp.
Published – November 19, 2025 03:44 pm IST
