Month: January 2019

A review on Pakistani Comic theatre play, ‘Jungle Mein Mangal Bazar’ (2019). This was the seventh & final play performed at NAPA’s 2^nd Laughter Theatre Festival 2019.

+ Crew

• Costumes Design, Production Design & Directed by Syed Meesam Naqvi
• Written (Adapted) by Babar Jamal
• Lighting by Masood-ur-Rehman
• Stage Management by Rachna Kirpalani, Hasnain and Qasim
• Assistant Directed by Ubaid Iqbal

+ Note

Jungle Mein Mangal Bazar is an adaptation of ‘Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!’, originally written in Italian by Dario Fo. Regarded as Fo’s second best-known play internationally.

Since 1990, this play had been performed in 35 countries. Though written as a political statement about the life and times of Italy in the 1970s, its themes of unemployment, class division, and women’s role in society strike a relevant note in 1980s Britain.

NAPA stages a number of events throughout the year including plays, music concerts, and festivals.

+ Full Cast:

1) Shabana Hasan as Shehla

2) Kashif Hussain as Umair

3) Nazar Ul Hasan as Zameer Shah / Wakeel Shah / Taboot Wala / Abu

4) Kiran Siddiqui as Kiran

5) Mujtaba Rizvi as Daniyal

6) Aman as John Doe (Dead Body)

+ Plot

A hilarious and critically acclaimed political farce centers on direct action by housewives against inflationary supermarket prices and struggles of their husbands who face unemployment and political crisis.

+ High Points

i – Remarkable performance by Nazar Ul Hasan in multiple roles that he had to play. He was one of the main ingredients to why the play was really a comical one and should not been missed.

ii – Shabana Hasan as Shehla played one of the lead roles incredibly well. She is a fantastic actress who should never be taken lightly. Other Honorable Mentions: Rest of the cast.

iii – A good adaptation of the script. It is hilarious and able to pull the Live audience attention glued to the stage.

iv – The costumes were authentic with the characters’ background.

v – Once again, we were given chance to watch Meesam’s captivating direction. Almost 2-hours of play was very wisely utilized.

vi – The production design was divided it into two separate sets. It gave way for blocking of actors with enough space for them to roam around easily.

vii – The lighting is very smoothly handled. Especially the scenes of detective getting beaten down and the road side interaction.

+ Low Points

i – Some of the props did not seem appropriate or were missing in its production design such as the paintings on the wall, basic furniture, TV were not part of the set.

+ Overall

Driven by laughter madness, Jungle Mein Mangal Bazar is the roller coaster of comedies.

Rate: 4.25 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Comic theatre play, ‘Ghanchakar’ (2019). This was the sixth play performed at NAPA’s 2^nd Laughter Theatre Festival 2019.

+ Crew

• Costumes Design, Production Design & Directed by Syed Muhammad Jamil
• Written by Maqbool Ahmed
• Lighting by Masood-ur-Rehman

+ Note

Ghanchakar is a directorial debut by S.M. Jamil. This play is a farce of mistaken identities and small lies that balloon in to big confusions.

NAPA’s mission is to be an institution of excellence that provides quality education, rigorous training, and is a catalyst for creative expression in the performing arts.

+ Full Cast:

1) Hammad Siddiq as Faisal

2) Hassan Raza as Mansoor

3) Shabana Hasan as Komal

4) Fajr Sheikh as Tina M.

5) Farhan Alam as Mr. Irani

+ Plot

A couple of friends, a job is not what it seems, a wife and a beautiful model set up the confusion that must be resolved to retain the job, save the marriage and achieve a happy ending.

+ High Points

i – The screenplay is very well written. Most of the punch lines were original. The play’s tone is balanced by hitting on sex-based jokes without directly implicating on them and avoiding the use of vulgarity. The characters such as Mansoor and Tina M. are very wisely written. These roles were not your common, typical type ones where people might often see them in other plays.

ii – The directorial debut by S.M. Jamil, has surprised many people as they did not have anticipated for this play to be well directed. I am honestly speechless and look forward to his next directed plays.

iii – Though, we have talked about this twice already, for not having a homosexual character in a comic play. But Hassan Raza’s superb performance as Mansoor has made this case an exceptional one. How intelligently, he understands and plays the role to make it a memorable one. He is certainly walking on the path of success.

iv – Fajr Sheikh as Tina M. played the main supporting role terrifically. With every play, her roles as well as performances have been improving by a big margin.

v – Once again, an excellent performance by Farhan Alam as Mr. Irani. His comic performances are so good on-stage that every director should look forward to have on-board for their plays. Other Honorable Mentions: Rest of the cast.

vi – The production design is detailed, arranged with most appropriate props.

vii – The lighting was nicely handled, especially to highlight the beats of the scenes.

+ Low Points

i – In the first Act, the play starts in slow pace with handful of good jokes only.

+ Overall

A hilarious satire of the lies and deceit, Ghanchakar is one of the finest comedies, featuring impressively written script and direction.

Rate: 4.25 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Comic theatre play, ‘Aar Par’ (2019). This was the fifth play performed at NAPA’s 2^nd Laughter Theatre Festival 2019.

+ Crew

• Costumes Design, Production Design, Written (Adapted) & Directed by Rauf Afridi
• Lighting by Masood-ur-Rehman

+ Note

Aar Par is an adaptation of an English play, ‘See How They Run’, is an English comedy originally written in three acts by Philip King. Its title is a line from the nursery rhyme “Three Blind Mice”. It is considered a farce for its tense comic situations and headlong humor, heavily playing on mistaken identity, doors, and vicars. There have been several films and TV adaptations on this play.

The writer/director has made some changes in the story and with their characters according to his need. Aar Par has some similarities including its end with Rauf’s play, ‘Da Bhagi Marg’.

The Karachi Laughter Fest 2019 brings together the various forms of comic performance in one hilarious festival. This year we present five plays directed by NAPA graduates along with a performance developed by Italian director, Marco Luly.

+ Full Cast:

1) Hammad Khan as Hammad

2) Abeera Pervaiz as Abeera

3) Ahmer Hussain as Faqeer Tundro

4) Fajr Sheikh as Ms. Tehzeeb

5) Tehreem Shafiq as Kinza

6) Hammad Siddiq as Mamoo

7) Muhammad Affan as Terrorist

8) Aqeel Ahmed as Leelo Gujar

9) Usman Javed as Policeman

+ Plot

It is a classic madcap comedy with a pile of misunderstandings, mistaken identities and pratfalls.

+ High Points

i – Surprisingly, Hammad Siddiq’s performance as Mamoo is very enjoyable and amusing. He is one of the main attractions why one should not miss in watching this play.

ii – Aqeel Ahmed as Leelo Gujar played one of the main supporting roles really well. Somehow, serious roles do not suit him whereas he able to impress everyone in playing comical roles.

ii – Ahmer Hussain is a brilliant actor, has already started making name for himself in the TV industry. In this play, his character as Faqeer Tundro, an army soldier, who is a close friend to Abeera and comes in handy in tackling threat. It is always a welcome to watch Ahmer on-stage. Other Honorable Mentions: Usman Javed, Fajr Sheikh and Tehreem Shafiq.

iii – The punch lines were very funny. The sex-based jokes, bought more attraction to the play.

iv – The production design was nicely constructed, helped with the actors’ blocking… the cupboard was built spacious enough too.

v – The costumes were carefully designed/chosen for characters… especially of Leelo Gujar.

vi – Once again, a wonderful direction by Rauf for this almost 2 hours long play. He is certainly making his mark to establish himself one of those directors who should be taken seriously by the audience and critics alike.

vii – The entire cast were able to give a very sound performance. A huge credit goes to the director.

viii – Having an almost 2 hours of play is long and tiring to watch. But still, having numerous witty jokes, good written script with nice performances made this play very pleasing.

+ Low Points

i – Ugh… Here we go again. We have a homosexual person as Policeman; And on top of that, a stereotype one. Now the question is, why? Why there is such a need for homosexual character for? But I do have an answer for that. The answer is… because it’s funny! Simple! You have a homosexual person in a play and here the audience would laugh anyway, regardless if he/she has comic lines or not. Amazing, isn’t it? Although, Usman did a very believable performance on-stage. But seriously, is this the best you could come up with?

ii – The jokes were more inflicted towards vulgarity though not directly imposed at. I have no issue with adult comedy. Sometimes, it works really well such as in this play. However, it’s advised to tone down the unnecessary gags that are strongly suggested towards sex.

+ Overall

Aar Par is a hilarious, fun-loving play. Rauf Afridi manages to make this a ‘Big Comedy Night’ filled with tremendous laughter!

Rate: 3.75 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Comic theatre play, ‘Biwi Ho Tou Apni’ (2019). This was the fourth play performed at NAPA’s 2^nd Laughter Theatre Festival 2019.

+ Crew

• Written (Adapted) & Directed by Aisha Hasan
• Lighting by Masood-ur-Rehman
• Assistant Directed by Shahrukh
• Sound Design by Ashraf Bhatti

+ Note

Biwi Ho Tou Apni is a delightful domestic farce play, originally written by Kamal Ahmed Rizvi. Kamal sb was a renowned Pakistani television actor and a playwright, who expired in late December 2015 due to heart attack.

National Academy of Performing Arts remains committed to innovation and excellence in the performing arts and presenting the best performances to the citizens of Karachi.

+ Full Cast:

1) Farhan Alam as Saleem

2) Hassan Raza as Manzoor

3) Saad Zameer as Farooq

4) Umer Iqbal as Shakoor

5) Samhan Ghazi as Mr. Qudoos

6) Chand Bawani as Amina

7) Hina Rizvi as Mrs. Qudoos

+ Plot

Saleem decides to give up on his affairs and embark on married life with young Amina, but things start getting a little bonkers when her parents decide to move in.

+ High Points

i – A hilarious performance by Farhan Alam as Saleem, a former playboy with many secret affairs with married females including two belonging to his close friends. Farhan is one of the best actors to play lead role in comical plays.

ii – Ever since being a part of Khalid sb’s play ‘Jasoosi Dunya’ in lead role, Hassan Raza’s performances have significantly improved. In this play, he has portrayed as Manzoor, who is a close friend to Saleem and similar to Farooq, he is absolutely unaware of his friend, Saleem’s secret affair with his wife.  Other Honorable Mentions: Saad Zameer and Umer Iqbal.

iii – Similar to her husband, Aisha’s direction has a taste for theatrical excitement and fun in her play.

iv – The screenplay is written well and it is properly constructed into three acts.

v – The costumes were suitable as per characters’ personality.

+ Low Points

i – Its been a very long time indeed that I have watched Chand Bawani’s performance. Its possible that after such a time gap, her acting ability may have been deteriorated or perhaps her character was not suitable for her.

ii – Since Hina Rizvi is a well-established TV artist, thus playing a limited role of a mother-in-law was not a wise option. Still, she did her best to make the character interesting.

iii – The ‘Self-Talking’ dialogues could do better job by effective collaboration with the usage of lighting.

iv – I believe, 10 minutes of the play can be cut short.

+ Overall

Biwi Ho Tou Apni is a sparkling entertainment with light comedy and heartwarming performances.

Rate: 3.25 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Comic theatre play, ‘An Evening of Commedia Dell Arte’ (2019). This was the third play performed at NAPA’s 2^nd Laughter Theatre Festival 2019.

+ Crew

• Directed by Marco Luly
• Lighting by Masood-ur-Rehman
• Sound Designed by Ashraf Bhatti
• Assistant Directed by Ubaid Iqbal

+ Note

An Evening with Commedia Dell Arte is a devised schemes and skits based on the classic Italian comic performance style. There are a number short stories performed in this play where a collection of scenes are taken from traditional stories, some are written by the director himself while some are devised with the actors.

Commedia dell’Arte is an improvised kind of popular comedy that was performed in Italian theatres in the 16^th – 18^th centuries.

+ Full Cast:

1. Marco Luly
2. Hugo
3. Vaajdan Shah as Jester
4. Sabiha Zia
5. Hammad Khan
6. Danish Irshad
7. Umer Chaudry
8. Haris Khan
9. Aqeel Ahmed
10. Ibad Alam Sher
11. Farooq Haider
12. Umair Rafiq as Lover #1
13. Bani Mirza as Lover #2
14. Umer Iqbal
15. Adil Hasan
16. Taha Khan as Professor

+ Plot

In the shape of three types of comedies, Farce comedy, comedy and tragic comedy… several stories are played out by a long list of performers in many different roles.

+ High Points

i – A solid performance given by Bani Mirza. I have come to realize now that she can and should be given more difficult roles to play for all of us to be witness of the level of her acting craft. In other words, she is the new rising star.

ii – Umair Rafiq’s roles, as well as his performance was compelling to watch. You can call him lucky, for the roles he was given to perform… but Umair has certainly made his mark to remember him with good memory regarding this play. He seems to do farce comedy really well on-stage. Other Honorable Mentions: Farooq Haider and Marco Luly.

iii – There were some stories that were appealing, had light comedy and were pleasant to watch.

iv – The stage management was very effectively handled.

v – We were able to see many new faces as performers. That’s good.

+ Low Points

i – Although, Vaajdan is a great and confident actor but his role as Jester was snooze taking — unfortunately, very dull to watch. There was only handful of his jokes which made the audience realize that he is still performing and should be appreciated.

ii – Many good performers’ acting skills were wasted because of many short stories that were conducted with numerous actors, who had to share the stage-time.

+ Overall

Sometimes very funny, but An Evening with Commedia Dell Arte eventually wears off with its lack of meaty roles and web of clichéd stories.

Rate: 2.75 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Comic theatre (Dastangoi) play, ‘Dastaan Ki Eik Shaam’ (2019). This is the second play performed at NAPA’s 2^nd Laughter Theatre Festival 2019.

+ Crew

• Directed by Zain Nazar
• Lighting by Masood-ur-Rehman

+ Note

Dastaan Ki Eik Shaam, Dastangoi is a joint collaboration between Society for Music and Repertory Theatre (SMART) at NAPA.

+ Short Stories

1. Saqi Nama by Tilsm Hoshrub
2. Saf Shikan Batair from Fasana-e-Azaad
3. Khosat Shohar K Nam Naukhez by Fasana-e-Azaad
4. Biwi Ka Khat by Fasana E Azaad
5. Kuttay by Patras Bukhari

Regarding laughter, there is a famous saying by John Cleese that “Laughter connects you with people. It’s almost impossible to maintain any kind of distance or any sense of social hierarchy when you’re just howling with laughter. The laughter is a force for democracy”.

+ Full Cast:

1) Syed Meesam Naqvi

2) Nazar-ul-Hasan

3) Qadeer Ahmed

4) Hasnain Raza

5) Uzair Mehmood

6) Muhammad Shafique

7) Riaz Baloch

+ Plot

It is a performance of several comic short stories and essays by some of the greatest Urdu writers, performed by alumni of NAPA’s Dastangoi project, alongside NAPA graduates.

+ High Points

i – Amazing performance by Syed Meesam Naqvi as the lead speaker. His perfect timing for comical expressions and eye contact with the LIVE audience, had people believed as though he is really a part of this separate entity. In most cases, Meesam’s remarkable acting brings the spectators attention towards him. Other Honorable Mention: Nazar-ul-Hasan.

ii – The adapted script was very amusing and highly interactive with the live audience.

iii – A simple production design with white sheet was set with white costumes, similar to the Urdu poets’ attire… perfectly suitable to this type of play.

iv – Zain Nazar has able to execute a nicely directorial play.

+ Low Points

i – If these stories were adapted into an actual theatre play, would have been a better option.

ii – Naturally, being part of the play with senior, renown artists… the new comers’ performances are often overshadowed.

+ Overall

Dastaan Ki Eik Shaam is a satisfying comedy with great performances by Meesam and Nazar.

Rate: 3.0 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Comic theatre play, ‘Haye Muhabbat’ (2019). This was the first play performed at NAPA’s 2^nd Laughter Theatre Festival 2019.

+ Crew

• Production Design & Directed by Uzma Sabeen
• Written by Babar Jamal
• Lighting by Masood-ur-Rehman
• Sound Design by Ashraf Bhatti

+ Note

Haye Muhabbat is yet another collaborated play by Uzma Sabeen’s and Babar Jamal’s team work. This dynamic duo has previously conducted hit plays, such as ‘Aasman Se Gira’ and ‘Mere Samne Wali Kherki Mein’.

Other than this play, at this Laughter Festival, the recent explosive growth of stand-up comedy in Karachi is acknowledged in three performances as well as delightful performance of some comic Dastangoi.

+ Full Cast:

1) Samhan Ghazi as Kashi

2) Naz as Neelofar

3) Shumaila Taj as Amma / Billo Baji

4) Hammad Khan as Naukar / Mamo

+ Plot

Kashi, a bachelor in his early forties still hopes that he will find the love of his life. He gives himself a last chance of romance by dialing a random call and finds Neelofar, a woman in her late thirties who is also looking for her prince charming.

+ High Points

i – Another wonderful performance by Naz as Neelofar. She always brings more fun into a comic play with her usual roles of loud mouth, nagging characters that she often plays. I really enjoy watching her perform.

ii – I am very pleased to see Samhan Ghazi taking up much better and interesting roles to play. Here he plays a main lead character as Kashi who at first looks forward in meeting his new love interest but quickly realizes that she isn’t what she appears to be.

iii – The comic punch lines were hilarious especially during the telephonic conversations between the two lead characters.

iv – I loved how the production direction was handled. All three locations were skillfully designed and had enough space for the performers to move around easily.

v – Thank you to give heed to the advises given in other previous plays by omitting the ‘Type casted’ roles that the performers often play such as Naz is usually given roles of mother or aunt to play while bringing Samhan in front of the limelight instead of Hammad (another good actor), who played two minor supporting roles.

vi – Uzma Sabeen’s another round of great direction for a comic play bought a good start to this festival. The Laughter Festival of any year would remain incomplete without her directorial plays.

+ Low Points

i – Oh dear, dear… what happened here? A story of 30 – 40 minutes was extended till 75 – 80 minutes play! Can you imagine? What would happen if you do that? ‘If’ you are lengthening the play then you should have a very good reasoning, explanation behind it – because if you don’t, then I am afraid, this is what happens. The play eventually became a ‘Drag’! I am sorry to say but it was. Although, I am a fan of Babar Jamal’s plays… I like his work, but here I am very… disappointed. This is not something, I had expected from a good writer as Babar Jamal.

‘Haye Muhabbat’ started off really well but almost near one hour, I started to lose interest and wanted the play to end quickly. Having good jokes and performances is not everything for a play. The main ingredient for its success is its writing. A good written script does 50% job for any play. Then the rest of the things come later.

ii – Then we have a ‘Stereo Type’ character… where you avoided a type-casted role, but in its stead, it seems that it was essential for you to have a stereo-type character as well such as having a dumb ‘Pathan’ in a comic play. The elements that should be avoided at all cost in a comic play are stereo type characters, homosexuality, mimicry, vulgarity (unless the main content of the play is mocking at someone intentionally) and making funny faces to make us ‘Realize’ that it is a comic play. If you use any of these forbidden elements in a comic play, it is a clear violation of creative writing. You are not a creative writer or should be labeled as a lazy writer with the inclusion of any of these elements. It is a strong advice for all to avoid such practices from near future onward.

iii – The character Kashi was so naïve that he quickly believed that Neelofar have evil spirits within her, although knowingly very well that she is a mental patient of last 10 years or so and has witnessed himself to the level of selfishness, greedy schemes she has of being a ‘Gold Digger’.

iv – Was it vital to have an unnecessary happy ending? Highly unconvincing, I must say! Sudden change of character and interest for a ‘Mad’ woman was shocking! I would rather say, unable to digest it because of lack of good reasoning. What happened? Is this a result of quickly written play to meet the deadline of getting it approved?

v – There were some minor issues in lighting department. The lights were dimmed and raised while the performer was still giving his/her line or the scene was ended.

+ Overall

Though exciting at first, Uzma Sabeen’s vehicle Haye Muhabbat is also bland and oppressively syrupy.

Rate: 2.50 out of 5 stars