Month: October 2018

A review on Pakistani Comedy theatre play, ‘Aasman Se Gira’ (2016) aka [Fallen from the Sky]. Its Asst. Director is Saddam Hussain.

 

+ Crew

• Directed by Uzma Sabeen
• Written (Adapted) by Babar Jamal

 

 

+ Note

Aasman Se Gira is an adaptation of Ken Ludwig’s English farce by the name of “Lend Me A Tenor”. During this play there is a scene where the get up & makeover of the two lead actors are almost identical. This hilarious moment reminded me of Hollywood’s classic comedy film of the golden era by the name of ‘Duck Soup’ (1933) of Marx Bros.

 

+ Cast

1. Saad Zameer Fareedi as Chauhan (aka Henry Saunders)
2. Ahmer Hussain as Shaani (aka Max)
3. Erum Ero as Maira (aka Maggie Saunders)
4. Farhan Alam as Alam Rushdi (aka Tito Merelli)
5. Naz as Khanam (aka Julia)
6. Najma Kifayat as Ronak (aka Diana)
7. Shumaila Taj as Mehrunnisa (aka Maria)
8. Muhammad Owais Mubashir as ‘Waiter’ (aka The Bellhop)

 

 

 

+ Plot

An event manager has to take a decision inviting a popular star to present himself as the traditional hero of the fame folk love songs “Heer Ranjha” for his grand show. As the show’s booking is already a ‘Sold Out’, the real trouble has just begun.

 

 

+ High Points

i – The real main ‘Stars’ of this play due to their memorable and untimely comic performances are Farhan Alam & Ahmer Hussain.

ii – Farhan’s character is totally new for me to watch as the characters this actor has usually played are mostly loud, dramatic and serious roles. However, this time his highly comical performance as the iconic character ‘Alam Rushdi’, he might be well remembered by this name rather than ‘Farhan Alam’.

iii – Good to see new faces to watch their performances such as Naz & Najma Kifayat.

iv – Phew! Need some cold breeze here… the seductive performance by the actress Najma Kifayat as ‘Ronak’ was “Hot as Hell”! Her performance reminded me of how Anne Bancroft tries to seduce Dustin Hoffman in Hollywood classic film ‘The Graduate’ (1967).

 

 

 

 

+ Low Points

i – Having so many good actors & actresses in one play, only the interesting, well written characters with their great performances would come out at the top while the rest of stars would be left behind.

ii – Some of the actors who were given smaller roles, they would be overshadowed and easily forgotten in front of Farhan Alam & Ahmer Hussain roles. Before picking up a good actor/actress for a small role, first write that role as ‘Interesting with humorous Punch Lines’, otherwise its a ‘Waste’ for the great performer to take that role. For instance, Akshay Kumar appeared as supportive role in the Bollywood film ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ (1997). Some of the people don’t even remember him being part of this film. The reason is the same as above.

iii – This time the witty dialogues were less interesting than the previous play ‘Mere Samne Wali Kherki Meh’ which was written by Babar Jamal. Rather here in this play, the performances were more comical than the dialogues.

iv – It was nice to watch Erum Bashir perform on stage but her character did not do justice with the talented actress that she is.

v – All actors/actresses should follow the rule that your dramatic performances in comical situation would make the audience laugh instead of focusing on the hilarious punch lines that are given to you. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. It clearly shows on the performer’s face and action whether he/she focused on the emphasis of the punchline or on the performance according to the situation that he/she is present in.

 

 

+ Overall

The combined efforts of Uzma Sabeen & Babar Jamal, bring another wonderful comic play, Aasman Se Gira for the audience to enjoy.

 

 

Rate: 3.25 out of 5 stars

 

A review on double feature Pakistani Drama & Comedy theatre plays ‘Exclusive’ as one, ‘Yahudi Ki Larki’ and ‘Sher Khan Ka Makan’ (2017).

 

 

+ Crew

• Directed by Khalid Ahmed
• Written by Agha Hashr Kashmiri
• Set Design by Jamil Afridi
• Costume Management by Syeda Maha Ali & Pervaiz Iqbal
• Makeup & Hair Styling by Majid Hussain

 

 

+ Music / Chorus Team

1. Julien Qaiser played Harmonium
2. Babar Ali played Tablaa
3. Mahjabeen
4. Hammad Khan
5. Hani Taha
6. Asiya Alam
7. Faryal Noushad
8. Raheel Ahmed
9. Farhan Malik
10. Kaif Ghaznavi

 

 
+ Note
Choreography by Mohsin Babar while the Assistant Directed by Fraz Chottani

 

 
+ Full Cast (Yahudi Ki Larki)

1. Akbar Islam as Brutus
2. Nazar-ul-Hassan as Azira Yahudi
3. Marya Saad as Raheel
4. Fawad Khan as Markas
5. Kaif Ghaznavi as Desiya
6. Aamir Naqvi as Badshah
7. Samhan Ghazi as Sipahi #1
8. Mazhar Suleman as Sipahi #2
9. Ashfaq Ahmed as Darbari
10. Faryal Noushad as Junaa

 

 

+ Plot
A Roman prince gets arrested because the girl he loves and involved with is a Jew. Due to the fact that his lover does not share the same religion likewise, this is why he is severely punished especially the Jew girl and her religious father on the orders of Brutus. But what Brutus does not know is that the Jew girl’s father, Azira Yahudi knows Brutus’s deep-down secret and the whereabouts of his long lost loved one.

 

 

+ High Points
i – Nazar-ul-Hassan as Azira Yahudi played the ‘Key Figure’ role as an old, religious father of Jew girl. He gave the best performance from the team.

ii – Fawad Khan as Markas played the main supporting role as the Roman Prince in disguise of a Jew. He performed as well as the script demanded him to be. Other Honorable Mentions: Marya Saad.

iii – The set design was profoundest.

iv – The musical chores helped in uplifting the play’s interest.

v – Decent job in costumes design / management.

vi – The play’s light humor in boosting the significance of the actors’ performance.

vii – Major recognition goes to director, when performances by almost everyone is well placed.

 

+ Low Points
i – Regardless of the play’s fame, Yahudi Ki Larki would be considered as one of the weak plays that respected Khalid Ahmed has ever directed.

ii – Most of the characters were halfheartedly written and are easily forgettable.

iii – The first half of the play is tiresome to watch.

iv – In present times, the classic story seems dull and obsolete. Perhaps, modernizing the story a bit may have sort out this problem.

v – It was very hard to keep a straight face and watch with interest. Most of the times, I kept nodding off on consistent rhyming dialogues.

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

+ Full Cast (Sher Khan Ka Makan)

1. Farhan Alam as Sher Khan
2. Naz as Fitna
3. Fraz Chottani as Ghafoor
4. Usman Mazhar as Sheeda Khan
5. Hani Taha as Sheeda Khan’s Wife
6. Hammad Khan as Bakshoo

 

 

+ Plot
A highly irritated husband Sher Khan who claims to be honest, ‘Man of Honor’ who fears no one… except for his wife. You see his wife; Wali has a high and quick temper which she often releases on her husband Sher Khan but sweet to others. In the neighborhood where husbands are usually attracted to each other’s wife unknowingly to one another. But what Sher Khan does not know is that his wife is already flirting with at least two other men for selfish means.

 

 

+ High Points
i – Farhan Alam as Sher Khan performed his role as the most exciting comical character. In most cases, Farhan usually outdid the role that is given to him. The audience loved, cheered for him whenever he appeared or made satirical references.

ii – Naz as Fitna played role of Sher Khan’s nagging wife with first-rate quality. Her realistic performances always win the audience’s hearts. Other Honorable Mentions: Rest of the team.

iii – Praise worthy work by the entire cast members of Sher Khan Ka Makan in playing their roles up to the mark.

iv – The makeup & hair styling did an adequate work to make the cast members’ appearance genuine.

v – The musical chores and vocals helped in gaining the play’s interest.

 

+ Low Points
i – Stereo type jokes and their characters throughout the play only shows how weak the writer really is.

ii – Almost every character kept talking to themselves (in substitute of voice over) to let audience know what he / she is thinking of.

iii – The play was way too short to be entertained by it.

 

+ Overall
Despite the fact it is a double feature play, Yahudi Ki Larki is occasionally moving, and suitably ambitious, still it doesn’t live up to its classic source material as Sher Khan Ka Makan did with its childish, silly humor which doesn’t come at the cost of the play’s core.

 

Rate: 2.75 out of 5 stars

 

A review on Pakistani Com-Drama theatre play, ‘Aarfy’ (2016), Written by Kamal Ahmed Rizvi and Directed by Akbar Islam.

 

 

+ Note

Originally it is a 1944 play ‘Harvey’ by the American playwright Mary Chase. Chase received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the work in 1945. It has been adapted for film and television several times, most notably in a 1950 film starring James Stewart.

 

 

+ Full Cast:

1. Akbar Islam as S. M. Ahmed
2. Naz as Atiya
3. Hamza Shykh as Dr. Ahsun
4. Aamir Naqvi as Irshad Sahib
5. Sehrish Qadeer as Erum
6. Faraz Shykh as Wali Muhammad
7. Zaman Abbasi as Driver
8. Samina Aman as Mrs. Bari / Mrs. Zulfi
9. Khalid Sherwani as Dr. Zulfi
10. Faryal Memon as Maryam

 

 

+ Plot

A grown-up man, S. M. Ahmed has an “Imaginary” friend named Aarfy — in the form of a 6″3-foot-tall invisible rabbit. Ahmed’s family and friends believe he is mad as he is the only the one who could see ‘Aarfy’… well, almost the only one.

 

 

+ High Points

i – Another DYNAMIC performance yet again by Naz as Atiya. Those plays are really hard to miss if one learns that she is also performing in them. Her realistic performances, has gain a strong fan following in the theatre audience. Naz is now officially in the zone of ‘Great Performers’.

ii – Akbar Islam as S. M. Ahmed played the lead role really well; bought fond memories of the classic comedy film ‘Harvey’ (1950). This is the first theatrical performance I have watched of Akbar Islam. Honorable Mentions: Aamir Naqvi.

iii – Sehrish Qadeer & Khalid Sherwani performances were mild yet a welcome to theatrical world.

iv – The set design and its props were suitable according to the main scenes.

v – Nice to see new faces in almost the entire cast.

vi – The play is closely based on the film ‘Harvey’ (1950).

vii – Some of the scenes were nicely directed.

 

 

+ Low Points

i – Although the play is closely based on the film but still this comic play was unable to make people laugh and enjoy as one expected from it. The jokes were there but with a huge gap in between. In most places, it seemed as if we were only watching a drama play instead of comedy. Agreed that the play had light comedy in their drama play but the problem is that the premise of the play could have made it even more interesting and humorous to watch. The rules for theatre plays (in storytelling) work differently as to the film / TV. Here the audience wants quick, hilarious jokes, comic punch lines / actions in able to enjoy themselves. If the jokes / good punch lines cannot be placed in certain scenes then those scenes should be interesting to watch. Otherwise you would lose audience attention and level of interest very quickly and easily.

ii – If Aamir Naqvi is given a ‘Pandit’ role, even then he would refuse to cut his hair.

iii – The young cast needs to make more effort and gain more experience before their performances can be labeled as good.

iv – There were several scenes in the play which could have been easily edited out. These scenes had no link with the main plot and had lack of interest to watch. Such as ‘Nurse & Doctor’ scenes, ‘Wali Muhammad & Maryam’ scenes, etc.

v – The chairs placement (close to each other) at Dr. Zullfi hospital looked unnatural.

vi – Some of the young cast voice was too low for the audience to hear them clearly and easily.

vii – Since the play was not really that interesting and its time length was longer than usual plays therefore by 2nd half many people from the audience left the auditorium.

viii – Atiya kept banging the wrong door although she saw several times that the doctor went in to the other one.

 

 

+ Overall

You may be impressed by the lead performances but still Aarfy would leave many disappointed as it seriously lacks good jokes and hilarious punch lines.

 

 

Rate: 2.75 out of 5 stars

 

A review on Pakistani Rom-Drama theatre play, ‘Ishq Aatish’ (2018).

 

+ Crew

• Costumes Design, Written & Directed by Damyanti Gosai
• Lighting by Masood Rehman
• Direction & Production Design by Danish Irshad Abro and Jahanzaib Qureshi

 

+ Note
Ishq Aatish is a story of two lovers who choose to burn in spite of societal resistances which is still considered a taboo to discuss in many parts of the world.

Similar stories, films been made where this play might have been inspired from. Still, it was a good decision taken by Damyanti. Plus, I’m pleased to see new faces in the cast line-up as well.

 

+ Full Cast

1. Rao M Shahwaiz as Shaman, Assistant #1
2. Rehan Nazim as Prince of Ferozistan
3. Imran Fatani as King
4. Aamir Naqvi as Adviser
5. Tehreem Shafiq as Princess of Unabistan
6. Arsal Khan as Assistant #2 and Villager #1
7. Kiran Siddiqui as Maid
8. Zulfiqar Ali Khan as Haroon Yarzouf (Drunker) and Assassin
9. Ansaar Mahar as Servant and Guard #1
10. Jahan Zaib Navi as Guard #2 and Villager #2

 

 + Plot
Prince of Ferozistan is to be wed off to Princess of Unabistan on the orders of the King and continue to have royal legacy through their traditional customs from generations to generations. But what King doesn’t know is that his son has already given his heart to someone else.

 

+ High Points
i – Kiran Siddiqui as Maid acted very hilarious, very natural… loved how she treated her character. Due to her brilliant performance, she made her scenes most interesting to watch.

ii – A new comer, Rao M Shahwaiz as Shaman plays a very realistic character, as close companion to the prince. He was the second most interesting character to watch. Rao has made sure that the audience would remember him for his memorable performance. Other Honorable Mentions: Aamir Naqvi and Rehan Nazim.

iii – The costume designing is praise worthy and suitable for the characters. And then, I couldn’t help and notice the color of costume given to the characters of Shaman and Assistant #2, played by Rao Shahwaiz and Arsal Khan. The pink color was chosen carefully as this is the color where their community & rights activists present in their movement. Good move.

 

+ Low Points
i – Oh dear, what happened with Imran Fatani’s performance? He played as one of the major characters of this play. There were a number of flaws to talk about. Such as, many times he was seen being stuck to what his line was? He didn’t look calm, felt nervous while dialogue-delivery. There were moments when his co-star was giving his line and he reacted too quickly. But he couldn’t give his line as his fellow star had to complete his sentence first. That look of waiting, was clearly shown on his face. His gestures as royal highness was sometimes over acting, didn’t gave natural reaction as other stars were doing with their performances. Sometimes, Imran’s accent was of Mugal-e-Azam’s time period and sometimes of current times. The director should conduct more rehearsals with Imran, see where he is making mistakes, pin point him and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

ii – I cannot say that I enjoyed the play, as it was slow and mind-numbing to be precise. The writer/director needs to come up with much more interesting sub plots and intriguing punch lines. This would keep the audience more engaged with the play without glancing towards their wrist watch.

iii – Its understandable there might be ‘Budget Issues’. But it would help in boosting the audience’s interest by coming up much better set design and inclusion with relevant props of the time period, the play is based on.

iv – Since there was no / hardly any sub plots, hence the play had lackluster of strong supporting characters. One hour and twenty minutes is more than enough for this play with such limited interesting characters. Its betterment for the play if it is re-written with inclusion of these mentioned missing elements.

v – It’s unfortunate that a technical error occurred during the play, regarding lighting. Being pitch darkness, the play came to a standstill for few seconds. Besides this, there were times where the main light should have been focused on certain characters and not on the background characters. Instead the audience witnessed the entire stage to be brightly lit.

vi – The time length should be decreased, from 80 minutes to 65 – 70 minutes maximum. Since the play was being held downstairs, at basement therefore its time length makes it even harder for the audience to watch with concentration.

 

+ Overall
A different, daring take as Ishq Aatish, which is interesting in terms of performances but still lacks majorly in its story depths, vital supporting characters and its secondary details.

 

Rate: 2.0 out of 5