Author: Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani comic-drama theatre play, Alif Noon: Doodh Ka Jala (2020). Its Production House is Stage Nomads Productions. This play was performed at Arts Council Karachi.

+ Crew

• Written & Directed by Syed Talal Jilani
• Produced by Irfan Anwar

 
+ Note

Alif Noon is a satire comedy drama play which is itself is a remake of classic Pakistani TV series a same name. The late renowned classic TV artists, Kamal Ahmed Rizvi and M. Rafi Khawar were very popular in playing their iconic characters as Allan & Nanha, among the audience and critics alike.

Unknown to many, the original TV series, Alif Noon is an inspiration of classic American sitcom, The Abbott and Costello Show (1952 – 55). Its radio program was previously launched by the same name in 1942 – 49.

In 2018, an official news was released by Pakistani comedian, Faisal Qureshi who would bring Alif Noon’s cinematic remake with starring, Shehzad Roy and Faisal Qureshi as the legendary duo of Allan and Nanha. Faisal is the man behind the film’s direction and it was said to be released in later year 2019. However, till this date, no word has been provided by their BTS team for the film delay.

 
+ Full Cast

1. Muneeb Baig as Allan
2. Mojiz Hasan as Nanha
3. Yogeshwar Karera as AQ Kidwai
4. Talal Jilani as Malik Tabraiz
5. Fareeha Raza as Roma
6. Moiz Khan as Jalsa Khan
7. Alina Zuberi as Komal Khanzadi
8. N/A as News Broad Caster
9. N/A as FBR Inspector

+ Plot
Allan comes up with a new scheme by luring the corrupt businessman into believing that he can expand his milk business by bringing back the ‘Ocean of Milk’ from the moon.

+ High Points
i – I was taken aback to know that the writer, director as well as one of main supporting character, Malik Tabraiz, is one & the same person of this play. A huge round of applause for Talal Jilani! He has executed such brilliant work in all three respected categories. One would wonder to how this play may have turned out to be if its direction had not met people / fans’ expectations? Praise worthy work, I must say.

ii – Rarely to say this but, the entire cast performance was superb. Every performer in their character had played out as the script demanded it to be. The best thing of their performances is that, each & every scene of the play was so interesting that the audience attention was all the time glued at the stage.

iii – Impressive performances by the two lead stars, Muneeb Baig and Mojiz Hasan who played the iconic characters of the original TV series. They not only performed among the best but also revived the former stars’ performances as they did back in 60’s. It literally felt as though we (the audience) were watching Kamal Ahmed Rizvi & M. Rafi Khawar’s performance on-stage.

iv – Splendidly written screenplay by Talal Jilani; many of the scenes were entertaining. The audience loved the emotional touch that was given, where the play shows the lead characters’ true selves. It was heartwarming and very moving to many people.

v – A very decent & pleasant production design was constructed for the play to be conducted in.

vi – A surprising cameo appearance was made by the producer of this play in an unaccredited role.

+ Low Points
i – Originally, Kamal Rizvi would highlight such fake schemes which would reflect our city / country’s realistic issues. In every episode, such schemes were shown of the con artists. He kept it as believable as possible. This way, the viewers would relate such issues in their real life and try to avoid falling or conducting themselves with such ill-intended activities in their society. That was the moral of their each episode.

However, this play’s plot came up with highly unrealistic scheme, ‘The Discovery of Milk on the Moon’.

ii –  The TV series, Alif Noon, would often have more than one emotional scenes in each episode. Thus, by having staging a play as a remake on the original TV series, the writer inserted a couple of similar emotional scenes, which is understood and logical, since, the play is a closely adaptation of the TV series.

Yet, still, as one of the member from the audience & as a critic, I strongly feel that by having one emotional scene is enough for such comic play. The main reason is the pace of play’s laughter was such at high level that by having another emotional scene had bought us all to a halt… like a ‘Speed Breaker’ for a speeding car.

It is suggested to either cut off the 2^nd emotional scene regarding the bond of their friendship between the two lead characters or reduce its time limit. I remember that everyone laughter in the audience came to a standstill. It took them time to recover and go back to the comical world this play had created.

iii – Really, not a fan of watching Stereo Type characters. Especially, for a comic play, this is ‘Lazy Writing’. It is best suggested to avoid using such characters.

Yes, I know that our mass audience just love to watch such idiotic characters that make fun of themselves. But, as a part of a literate society, it’s about time that we must change that and come up with new, different characters with the help of creative writing.

iv – I felt that AQ Kidwani’s scenes were either cut short or given less emphasis to his character. After all, due to his bizarre ‘Discoveries’, Allan comes up with another scam plan. I believe that Kidwani’s scenes should have been more in the play.

+ Overall
Alif Noon is a fun-loving enjoyable and nostalgic play to the original TV series.

 
Rate: 3.50 out of 5 stars

A review on foreign-language musical & dance theatre play, Hotel Propaganda (2017). It was performed at NAPA’s International Theatre Festival 2017.

+ Crew

• Direction, Choreography, Scenography & Lighting by Brigel Gjoka
• Assistant Directed by Mattia Gandini
• Costumes Designed by Qazi Hasan Ali
• Makeup & Hair Styling by Sikander Khan

+ Note
Goethe-Institut Pakistan in collaboration with the National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA) brings German director and choreographer Brigel Gjoka to Pakistan. This would be Brigel Gjoka’s third time in Karachi. In 2014 for the first time, along with Mattia Gandini, he performed on the stage in his own production “Eksod” in the NAPA International Theatre Festival. In 2015 he came back, this time to make a production assisted by Mattia Gandini, with local artists from NAPA and directed “Among Fog” – a captivating performance, enthralling the audience.

Hotel Propaganda is about a house of all times that has never changed; the vibration that hits the wall looking for sunrise to make the souls dance. Questioned so much that becomes a form of un-applied tradition, love, dismisses itself and takes a leave of absence to the forgotten land that one carries daily. Then, here I sit and watch it mocking me inside my walls, while I prepare the little drops of empathy, hidden, ready to spit out as soon as the shelter becomes weak, to hide inside again.

This is Vajdaan Shah’s best performance till date.

 
+ Full Cast

1. Vajdaan Shah as Mad Hotel Owner
2. Sunil Shankar as Singer / Guest #1
3. Joshinder Chaggar as Guest #2 (Blond Wig)
4. Paras Masroor as Guitarist / Guest #3
5. Sabiha Zia as Guest #4
6. Masood Ur Rehman as Guest #5
7. Taha Khan as Guest #6
8. Ishtiaque Rasool / IR Omar as Guest #7
9. Mahesh Kumar as Guest #8
10. Erum Bashir as Nurse
11. Shabana Hassan as Air Hostess

+ Plot
A place created by love, where time stands still and all comes to stay in huis-clos.

+ High Points
i – Vajdaan Shah as Mad Hotel Owner played the lead part such impressive manner! His entry in just underwear was with absolute confidence! He strongly reminded me of the main supporting character as the ‘Mad Hatter’ from Alice in the Wonderland. Vajdaan, I salute you on your performance and confidence level.

ii – Shabana Hassan as Air Hostess played the role in highly seductive manner. Side by side, Erum Ero as Nurse played her part to the core. Other Honorable Mentions: Rest of the cast.

iii – The first dance sequence that took place after Mad Hotel Owner where he makes his first appearance; certainly, knew that this play is going to take the audience for a one wild ride!

iv – I believe that the selection of the songs was good and helped the dance chores throughout the play.

v – Excellent job in costumes design / wardrobe management. Marvelous work!

vi – Makeup & hair styling did a fabulous work. It helped with the characters’ different looks and clothing.

vii – The real deal to make this play not only a success but a memorable one also was the reason of lighting during the different beats & moods of this musical / dance play. The different colored lights helped greatly in understanding a different scenario.

viii – It was very well choreographed by Brigel Gjoka. Every dance move was electrifying in its nature. Bravo!

ix – The scene where a dining table with long legs was used (literally) where the guests were forced to raise their hands in able to have their dinner, was a very clever move to interpret the scene.

x – The set design and its scenography was something very new and creative to the audience.

+ Low Points
i – I believe that the first half of the dance play was much more enjoyable and interesting.

ii – It is very unlikely that one would understand each and every scene if a person watches the play at least for the first time. The director left it too much for the audience to decide.

iii – As for our audience, their taste in plays is quite different than this one was performed. Half of the audience either did not understand or did not enjoyed the play as it should have been.

+ Overall
As visually delight as it is, Hotel Propaganda’s scenography & lighting helped tremendously in bringing out the excitement to watch and understand. Brigel Gjoka’s choreography with great songs selection echoes the fundamentals of the director’s work — for the best outcome.

 
Rate: 4.25 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Drama theatre play, Insaf Ka Daira (2017) aka Circle of Justice. It was performed at NAPA’s International Theatre Festival 2017.

+ Crew

• Directed by Meesam Naqvi
• Written by Bertolt Brecht

+ Note
Insaf Ka Daira is an adapted play, originally written by German modernist playwright Bertolt Brecht as, Caucasian Chalk Circle in 1944.

 
+ Full Cast

1. Faraz Ali as High-Ranking Officer / Drunken Pastor / Corrupt Judge
2. Irma Ali as Peasant Girl
3. Muneeb Baig as Brave Soldier
4. Najma Kifayat as Wealthy Mother
5. Imran / Ome Fatani as Adviser #1 / Abusive Husband*
6. Arthor John as Adviser #2 / Brother of Peasant Girl
7. Godina Fernandes as Maid / Old Mother-in-Law
8. Damyanti as Sister-in Law / Lawyer #1
9. Mujtaba Rizvi as Guitarist / Lawyer #2

+ Plot
A peasant girl who rescues a baby, becomes a better mother than its wealthy natural parents.

+ High Points
i – Faraz Ali in three different roles that is as High-Ranking Officer / Drunken Pastor / Corrupt Judge acted superbly. The Drunken Pastor role was best that he performed from the lot. His performance was so well that it seemed as though the writer wrote these characters for him to play only.

ii – Good effort by Irma Ali who gave in for her character and to do bold scenes. Audience have definitely appreciated her hard work. Other Honorable Mentions: Author John.

iii – The play’s dark humor did a significant job in its storytelling.

iv – The musical chores played by S Mujtaba Rizvi was good.

+ Low Points
i – Audience were enjoying Faraz Ali’s physical appearance more than the plays’ humorous punch lines.

ii – These days everyone is breaking the fourth wall, in able to either interact with audience or accept that they are part of fictional world. This move isn’t uncommon or as such funny anymore. Still, if the director feels that he should insert it in his play… perhaps doing it once would be enough or better find a creative way of doing it.

iii – I believe that the shock elements could have toned down a bit which would not had made the audience uncomfortable to watch. I understand that it was the intention of both, the director and writer. Although, it was not explicitly shown however, its direct indication would have done its job.

iv – Since most cast members’ act were satisfactory and the direction was okay, therefore I find the play mild to watch.

+ Overall
Insaf Ka Daira offers a few moments of loud fun for genre fans, but lacks enough subordinate intellect to consistently connect once the performances kicks in.

 
Rate: 2.75 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Comedy-Drama theatre play, Beech Bahar ki Raat ka Sapna (2020). It was performed at Laughter Theatre Festival 2020, NAPA.

+ Crew

• Directed by Syed Meesam Naqvi
• Written (Adapted) by Khalid Ahmad
• Production Design by Sunita Bawani
• Choreography by Bazelah Mustufa
• Costume Design by Erum Bashir

 
+ Note

Beech Bahar ki Raat ka Sapna is an adapted play, originally written by William Shakespeare as A Midsummer Night Dream in 1595-6. Mischief, magical transformations, mistaken identities, and love tangles abound in this fantastical, dream-like world.

Syed Meesam Naqvi is one of the stalwarts of NAPA Repertory Theatre Company. He is a faculty member of NAPA & Arts Council. Meesam has directed plays such as Mujrim Ya Mulzim, Apartment 746, Raagni, Jungle Main Mangal Bazar and many more.

This play was the last out of the three plays which was performed in this festival.

 
+ Main Cast

1. Saad Zameer as Tabrez and Gulfaam
2. Marya Saad as Razmita and Gulnaar
3. Raheel Siddiqui as Sikandar
4. Zain Nazar as Taimoor
5. Fajir Sheikh as Harmia
6. Naureen Mumtaz as Aleena

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+ Supporting Cast

1. Hammad Khan as Puck
2. Hammad Siddique as Painda Pansari
3. Syed Muhammad Jameel as Peter Babu
4. Kaleem Ghouri as Murli Lohaar
5. Tanveer Gill as Mohan Kumar
6. Aqeel Ahmed as Rangbaz Rangraiz
7. Vajdaan Shah as Dilbar Tailor Master

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+ Minor Cast

1. Sarmad Khan as Aajiz
2. Daniyal as Faizan
3. Najma Kifayat as Pari #1
4. Aleena as Pari #2
5. Hira as Pari #3
6. N/A as Pari #4

+ Plot
A feuding fairy king and queen, cross paths with four young lovers and a rustic theatre troupe rehearsing a play in an enchanted forest.

+ High Points
i – A salute to Meesam’s direction for bringing this Shakespeare’s one of the most popular play to our local theatre world in a very splendid way. Only a great director, with such skills could have capture this achievement.

ii – A very interesting, well-versed adaptation and storytelling by our respected writer, Khalid Ahmed sb.

iii – Hammad Siddique has given a very comical and unforgettable performance as Painda Pansari. Over the years, his acting technique and the kind of roles that he should portray has significantly improved. His character’s transformation from desperate, aggressive actor to donkey-humanoid being was very professionally handled and performed on-stage. Two thumbs up!

iv – Most of the humorous scenes were of the ‘mechanical’ team or amateur performers. It consists of a group of six people, including their director. Every performer plays a comic-relief character who could identify himself with a unique attribute.

v – Saad Fareedi as Tabrez / Gulfaam has surprised us all in playing the king of the fairies. Finally, I must say… Saad has played an interesting and unusually different character to remember him by.

vi – I am very pleased with Hammad Khan’s performance as Puck. Once again, he has able to win the audience hearts with his great experience in playing comical characters as the script demands it to be.

vii – The entire cast gave a praise-worthy performance.

viii – Surprisingly, a terrific job on its costume designing. Good surprises on super natural characters’ clothing. Splendid work!

ix – The makeup & hair-styling of the characters, is certainly to admire.  

x – The chemistry between Sikander and Harmia was well-put and inspiring to enough.

xi – Nice job behind the control of the lighting; able to bring different moods into the play in timely fashion.

+ Low Points
i – I would seriously advise you to always arrange a professional choreographer for such big budget plays.

ii – The production design is mildly positive but not something to be proud of. The changing of the background set (with required props) in different scenarios, would have boasted this play’s overall grade.

iii – A couple of songs with musical performances between the play’s acts or different beats, is another way to improve this play’s quality.

+ Overall
Meesam’s Beech Bahar ki Raat ka Sapna gave his heart out to make this play a memorable one.

 
Rate: 4.25 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Comedy-Horror theatre play, Wapsi aka Return (2020). It was performed at Laughter Theatre Festival 2020, NAPA.

+ Crew

• Written (Adapted) & Directed by Naz

 
+ Note

Wapsi is originally written by Noel Coward as Blithe Spirit in 1941 and a film adaptation by the same name in 1945, starring Rex Harrison.

The director has graduated from NAPA in 2016 and since been active in their theatrical activities both as in actor and direction.

This was the second out of the three plays to be performed in this festival.

 
+ Full Cast

1. Shumaila Taj as Khanum Batool
2. Syed Arsalan as Mansoor
3. Najma Kifayat as Areeba
4. Erum Bashir as Naureen
5. Faizan Chawla as Dr. Adil
6. Safia Bhalaisha as Mrs. Adil
7. Mahjabeen Rehman as Reshma

+ Plot

Mansoor is a writer who wants to research on spirits for his next novel. Along with his wife, Areeba, he invites a local spirit medium Khanum Batool to hold a seance at their house. Khanum unwittingly brings back the ghost of Mansoor’ first wife, Naureen, to haunt him. Appearing only to Mansoor, Naureen causes havoc between the married couple.

+ High Points

i – A praiseworthy direction by Naz. Her directorial plays are often complex and very well presented. She has given a very satisfying result to this comic-horror play.

ii – The performances by the entire cast was good and well-balanced.

iii – Interesting characters of the play were of Shumaila as Khanum Batool, a spiritual medium and Erum, who performed as Mansoor’s late first wife. Their scenes were the most exciting ones to watch.

iv – A nice adaptation to Noel’s play. The humor level and a number of its punchlines bought the audience a good laughter.

v – The play comes to a proper end with a good effort behind its stage management. Fine job!

+ Low Points
i – This would not be the first time that I have complained of Naz’s plays’ production design. Kindly give heed to it. The sofa covers looked dreadful, as if bought from a cheap, second-hand materials bazaar. The stage design itself was okay but give utter importance to their props. A more detailed set design is recommended; plus avoid using 2 chairs with a round small table. This is something which almost every new comer decides to use it in their play’s set design.

Your play already has four characters who needs the usage of the chairs for their performances. Better to use actual four chairs with a bigger table from next performance onwards.

ii – The costume design is mildly sound but could have been better. Also, make your male stars to wear simple black colored socks. Anything performed and appeared on-stage is the final presentation of your play that would be noted.

 
+ Overall
Wapsi is a seamlessly assembled comedy with lasting appeal.

 
Rate: 3.25 out of 5 stars