A review on Pakistani Rom-Com theatre play, Mere Samne Wali Khirki Mein aka A Window in Front of Me (2016). It was performed at NAPA.
+ Crew
- Directed by Uzma Sabeen
- Written by Babar Jamal
+ Note
Mere Samne Wali Khirki Mein is one the first comic plays by the dynamic duo of Uzma and Babar’s combined team works.
Uzma has completed her masters in English Literature after which she joined NAPA for direction. She has worked as a lighting designer for such esteemed directors and personally directed a number of hit plays for the Academic and commercial reasons. Uzma Sabeen is an award winner of Pakistan Media Award in 2013 for Best Theatre Category. Presently, she is actively involved with NAPA in teaching and management capacities. As for the writer, Babar at first began his theatre career as an actor. Over the years, he has written such plays ‘Men Adakara Banu Gee’, ‘Sau Din Chor Kay’ and ‘Jungle Men Mangle Bazaar’.
I have attended Erum’s several plays before whereas Ahmer and Owais were new to me for their on-stage performance. Mere Samne Wali Khirki Mein is a family entertainment play where most the audience were laughing & clapping so loudly as though we were attending a ‘Laughing Competition’ instead.
Mere Samne Wali Khirki Mein is my first review that I had written under the pen name of Mr. Khan.
+ Full Cast
- Erum Bashir as Sophie
- Owais Mubashir as Qutbuddin
- Ahmer Hussain as Tameezuddin
+ Plot
Two guys living and working in one flat of an apartment. Qutbuddin owns the business of a gossiping magazine Gup-Shup while Tameezuddin works for him. Sophie is the new neighbor which can be seen walking by from their window. Tameezuddin falls in love with Sophie at first sight but she doesn’t share his feelings for her.
+ High Points
i – Brilliant direction by our dear Uzma Sabeen. Its no wonder why the hall was jam packed with vast number of audiences attending, desperately waiting for the play to get started.
ii – Babar did a fantastic job in writing such a wonderful comic play. This play is filled horrendous amount of laughter and almost infinite number of hilarious punchlines. Its no wonder why people were laughing like crazies in the auditorium.
iii – Erum played as ‘Sophie’, as usual performed really well on stage. She is truly a ‘Star Light’ when she is in her performance (no matter a drama or a comic role). Mostly people eyes are usually fixed on her (young or old generation) when she is performing.
iv – Ahmer was the main comic relief character which he played as ‘Tameezuddin’. Watching his performance reminded me of a resemblance of NAPA’s former ‘Star Actor’ Saqib Khan. Other Honorable Mentions: Owais Mubashir.
v – Some daring, bold moves were kept concealed, only to be executed by the director when the time is right. This was the wild trump card, Uzma had hidden up in her sleeve.
vi – Owais played as ‘Qutbuddin’, is surprisingly the new comer to the theatre world. It was difficult to intake, since his firm confidence level and sudden daring exposure of being left in just a bath towel during the Live performance on stage had shocked many people.
vii – The designing of the set was well constructed with a lot of room of space provided for the performers to extend their level of blocking.
+ Low Points
i – The inclusion of vocal songs / musical performers during the play can further improve its quality.
ii – This play can be performed at least 10 – 15 minutes longer.
iii – Some improvement towards handling of lighting certainly needed.
+ Overall
Mere Samne Wali Khirki Mein is certainly one of best comic plays ever written and directed at NAPA.
Rate: 3.50 out of 5
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