Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Dastaan Ki Eik Shaam’ (2019)

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