From a young lover to a daughter-in-law, from a daughter to a mother, from a sister to a vamp…she has played multiple roles winning the hearts of tiatr goers
When the TAG presented the Life-time Contribution to TiatrAward 2012 to 11 artistes on December 14, 2012, the artiste who was thecynosure of all eyes was Maria Vital Fernandes, better known to tiatr fanssimply as Betty Ferns. Betty has always been the darling of the tiatr loversand has captured their hearts through her acting and singing. Making her debuton the Konkani stage in 1968
in Anthony Fernandes’ tiatr, ‘Noxib Strike Valeanchem’, shewent on to act for some of the top playwrights of the Konkani stage andentertain her fans for approximately 30 years. The last performance she gavewas in Samuel Carvalho’s all-female show ‘Bhogsonnem’ in the year 2005.
Speaking to The Goan on the side-lines of the awardspresentation ceremony, Betty Ferns said, “I really felt emotional to be amongthe senior artistes of the Konkani stage. My eyes welled up with tears, forduring my career I have acted with them.”
Has she given up acting in tiatrs altogether? Absolutelynot. Betty says, “I have not given up acting in tiatrs, but not manyopportunities arise in Mumbai. To be honest though, playwrights do not contactme anymore. Even for shows in Mumbai. Performing for shows in Goa entailsre-locating to Goa. But if offered a role I would love to make a come-back tothe tiatr stage.”
One of the most adored and admired ladies of the Konkani stage,she was known for her cheeky sense of style and coordinating her attire. Herbody language was such that she would turn around any role given to her, to theenvy of her peers. Betty may have been away from the stage for some time, butthe sharpness in her voice and the sparkle in her eyes is all there to hear andsee.
Betty Ferns was first spotted by the late C Alvares’ wife inthe tiatr ‘Strike Valeanchem Noxib’ and that was how on her recommendationBetty landed a role in late C Alvares next show ‘Borvanso’ (meaning ‘hope’).This tiatr ‘Borvanso’ kindled a new hope in young Betty. The rest as they sayis history. Commenting about C Alvaresshe says, “When he saw me first acting in his ‘Borvanso’ he told me I hadtalent and that he would promote it. He told me to not be choosy and accept anyrole.” She went on to do many roles in C Alvares shows and other leadingplaywrights, and rendered many memorable duets with Alvares too.
Recalling her role in Mike Mehta’s ‘Grant Road’, Betty Fernssays “I had just two scenes in the tiatr ‘Grant Road’, but I acted them withsuch conviction that wherever the show was staged people would come to thegreen room and congratulate me for the role. This would even upset the mainheroine.” The ball is now in the court of Goan playwrights. Will they fulfillBetty’s wish of making a comeback onto the tiatr stage? Only time can answerthat question.
