Month: October 2018

A review on Pakistani Public Message Drama theatre play ‘Dil Ki Awaaz Suno’ (2018). Its Production House is Tehrik-e-Niswan while SIUT foundation participated in distribution of organ donation forms & leaflets.

 

+ Crew

• Lighting, Written & Directed by Anwer Jafri
• Vocal (with Harmonium) by Daniel Wilayat
• Music (with Tabla) by Zulfiqar Ali

 

 

+ Note
Dil Ki Awaaz Suno is a play organized by Pakistan Medical Association (Karachi) at 3^rd Literary Festival [Arts Council; Karachi], which is based on ‘Organs Donation’ as public message. The opening poetry was taken from Nazeer Akerabadi ‘s ‘Banjaranama’. The poem ‘Maen Mar Ke Amar Ho Jaounga’ is part of Sardar Jafri’s poetry.

We have familiar faces on stage including Sheema Kermani, Haris Khan, Imran Khan and Anwer Uddin along with the fame director, Anwer Jafri.

Although it was not mentioned in its poster but the play is partially musical.

 

+ Full Cast:

1. Haris Khan as Dildar
2. Sheema Kermani as Doctor
3. Shazia Adnan as Ammi
4. Imran Khan as Mamu
5. Ayesha Pervaiz as Fiancée
6. Iram Pervaiz as Friend #1
7. Bushra as Friend #2
8. Adnan Haroon as Friend #3
9. Anwar Uddin as Friend #4

 

+ Plot
Dildar is a dear friend to his fellow colleagues. One day he falls ill and announced as brain dead at the hospital. There in such tragic scenario, his family are suggested to donate their son’s organs.

 

+ High Points
i – The public message was conveyed to the audience perfectly. I believe that there would not be any kind of misconceptions or misunderstandings or any type of questions left regarding this subject matter.

ii – The addition of musical performance was a good move, to bring the audience closer to its sensitive topic.

 

+ Low Points
i – Where was the play? It should have been a combined teamwork of two elements here: The Play and the Public message. Both should had worked hand to hand. You gave so much importance in delivering the core message that you clearly forgot what essentials are needed to conduct a play and execute it successfully to the audience. If anyone did remember something there, it would be the public message your team had provided but not the play itself. If this is how ‘Public Message Plays’ started to be presented then I guess, anyone can make a play then.

ii – Almost, no story to watch. Though its acceptable that Anwer sb decided to have this play by ‘Breaking the fourth wall’, or ‘Acknowledgement of having themselves to be a part of a play’. Yet still a proper good story was required with the lead characters to have brief backstory (at least) was very much needed.

iii – There was no production design. No really, there was absolutely nothing there except for black wall. No props, just complete emptiness.

iv – As for the lighting is concerned, when Dildar started to speak while facing the audience, although the spot light was fixed on him but the entire stage should have been in ‘Complete Darkness’ or ‘Very Dimly Lit’. This way, the only focus would be on him and no one else. But that was not the case here. Only thing they did correctly was having the other characters being freeze with their actions as Dildar spoke.
v – No heed was given to costume designing as well, except for the lead stars.

vi – During the musical performance, we had Shazia Adnan on the left side (just next to), Sheema Kermani (in the lead) as they faced the audience. But then in the next two other group musical performance, we had Imran Khan in Shazia’s position without any reason given why? I can understand that the audience don’t care to see such details or really care. But for a team of professional performers, these things do count and are observed closely.

 

+ Overall
Dil Ki Awaaz Suno is one of those plays where the public message behind it turns out to be much more interesting than the play itself.

 
Rate: 1.50 out of 5

 

A review on Pakistani Mystery Comedy theatre play ‘Jasoosi Dunya’ (2018). The assistant director is Shahjahan Narejo while its stage manager is Fraz Chottani.

 

+ Crew

1. Written (Adaptation) & Directed by Khalid Ahmed
2. Lighting by Uzma Sabeen and Masood-ur-Rehman
3. Costumes Design by Pervaiz Iqbal and Mahrukh
4. Set Design by Jameel Afridi
5. Makeup & Hair Styling by Farzana Naz

 

+ Note
Jasoosi Dunya is an adaptation of The Psychic (2010) by Sam Bobrick, an Edgar Award winning play in 2011. The play is a hilarious murder mystery which follows the chaotic life of Adam Webster: a down-on-his-luck writer who is making ends meet through psychic readings.

Ammad Rehman and Afsheen Hayat are behind the play’s music whereas Ashraf Bhatti is responsible for its sound effects. This review may contain SPOILERS!

+ Full Cast

• Hassan Raza as Adam Webster
• Saman Ansari as Salma Anwer
• Nazar ul Hasan as Johnny Jaanbaaz
• Bazelah Mustafa as Sabeena / Saibi
• Farhan Alam as Anwer Sulemaan
• Samhan Ghazi as Col. Zahid Kamal Afandi

 

+ Plot
It revolves around a mystery writer, Adam Webster who needs money to cover his bills. One day he is visited by a young beautiful lady, Salma Anwer to his home for psychic readings.

 

+ High Points
i – Exceptional writing and adaptation by Khalid sb. The script is very cleverly written as there were times where poor choice of words spoken by the stars or sometimes the dialogues were repeated. I remember saying to myself at first, ‘What happened to Khalid Sb’s writing? Is this the best he could come up with’? But then I saw what was actually happening in the play as there were few small hints given away in the first half. My confusion had turned into a very delightful surprise. Good stuff!

ii – Remarkable performance by the multi-talented star, Bazelah Mustafa as Sabeena / Saibi. She showed everyone that how ‘Easy’ it is to perform Live on-stage and bought new life to the play. Her perfect timing for comical punchlines, flirtish behavior and hilarious reactions had instantly made the audience fall in love with her character.

iii – NAPA’s veteran actor, Nazar ul Hasan as Johnny Jaanbaaz has once again acted very brilliantly. If you give him sober or a comic relief character to play, Nazar would make sure that the audience leave the hall with great pleasure. Other Honorable Mentions: Farhan Alam and Samhan Ghazi.

iv – Superb production design, high quality set was constructed to give a much closer mood for realism.

v – The two comic relief characters Johnny Jaanbaaz and Sabeena / Saibi were the most interesting and enjoyable to watch.

vi – Once again, good direction by respected Khalid Ahmed. His vast experience as an actor and writer, has always given an edge for the performers to be part of his directorial plays. Even for myself, it’s highly unlikely that I would ever miss his theatre work.

vii – Effective work behind its design and handling of lighting by Uzma and Masood.

viii – In costume designing, the characters fitted well with the wardrobe given to them.

ix – Saman Ansari as Salma looked very elegant and glamorous; all thanks to makeup & hair styling.  

 

+ Low Points
i – Hassan Raza as Adam Webster performance was … average at best in front of his fellow stars and weak as the lead star. Although, I am pleased that NAPA is giving chance to other cast members as well to perform in lead roles. Yet still, we cannot ignore the fact that the lead star should have at least given ONE of the strongest performances, If not THE strongest performance than the rest of the cast.

ii – It’s highly unlikely that most people had predicted the twist before it was suggested by one of the characters. Though, I saw it long before it reached the interval. There are many reasons attached to it. First of all, I, myself have already watched many, many suspense, thriller films and TV series with bizarre twists and endings. Secondly, there were several hints given during the play (which is a good move btw). For example, the exact same murder location where the crime had taken place, the clothes of other characters remained the same and a rich beautiful lady having devoted love for him. But the biggest hint of them all was when Adam had everything written down in this book before he forgets. His desperation to write it quickly and being delighted to come up with such great ideas was the moment when the play gave away their twist.

iii – I felt that the play was longer than required and its time length should be reduced by 15 – 20 minutes.

iv – Speaking of costume designing as above, there was however only one small issue, ‘Anwer’s shoes’. They were totally mismatched with the color of suit he was wearing. My eyes (unintentionally) kept looking at his shoes than to enjoy his performance.

 

+ Overall
Khalid Ahmed’s adaptation as Jasoosi Dunya is yet another addition as souvenir in the world of theatre.

 

Rate: 4.0 out of 5