Category: Theatre Plays

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

 

xxxxxxxx

 

+ 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

 

A review on Pakistani Slapstick-Comedy theatre play, Good Luck Darling (2020). It was performed at Laughter Theatre Festival 2020, NAPA.

 

 

+ Crew

• Directed by Farhan Alam
• Written by Athar Shah Khan

 

 

 

+ Note

Good Luck Darling is a rollicking farce by famed writer, poet and comedian, Athar Shah Khan. Farhan Alam Siddiqui has made over thirty stage appearances in both dramatic and comedic plays presented by NRT. Along with acting and directing he now runs his own production house known as TKF Entertainment.

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

 

 

 

+ Full Cast

1. Aqeel Ahmed as Seth Razzak
2. Hammad Khan as Gola
3. Fraz Chottani as Jumma
4. Kashif Hussain as Badshah
5. Bazelah Mustufa as Seema
6. Samhan Ghazi as Sikandar
7. Sarmad Khan as Khawaja

 

 

 

 

+ Plot
Seth Razzak’s fortune is stuck in his daughter and son-in-law’s joint back account – which they can’t access now that they’re divorced. Chased by debtors, Razzak badly needs this money. Will his daughter and estranged son-in-law remarry and get him his money back?

 

 

 

+ High Points
i – I believe that it was a good effort by Farhan to handle this play’s direction. He himself is a terrific comic actor who often plays lead roles. The challenge he accepted to do, turned out to be in his favor.

ii – The person behind its lighting has done a wonderful job. To have the lights fluctuate and dimming it as per scene’s demand, were all at right timings. It improved the play’s presentation.

iii – A good performance by Kashif Hussain who plays the key character to this story’s tense situation. Here he portrays a mad man, by the name as Badshah. No matter whatever role Kashif is given to do, giving his best is what he would always deliver.

iv – The humor level is a mixture of mild towards positive. Sure, it takes a slow start. But the laughter roars in from the 2^nd half especially. And from there, it takes it all the way.

v – Hammad Khan’s character as Gola, the owner’s servant bought smiles on many people faces. He often plays comic relief characters and here too, fully satisfied the audience and critics alike. Other Honorable Mentions: Sarmad Khan.

 

 

 

 

+ Low Points
i – Due to having a weak script, the play was stretched at its maximum length. A rewrite is much needed, before being performed on-stage again.

ii – If the writer / director decides to eliminate Fraz’s character, no one in the audience would actually notice. There was no point of his existence for the story to progress or relevant with the plot. His repeated one liner joke to Fraz’s cross-dressing appearance was all unnecessarily included to the play.

iii – A good writer would know how to manage sex comedy without making it vulgar. Many random jokes were inserted in the script. Most of the punchlines were mediocre.

iv – I don’t really know to what was going through the writer’s head to add irrelevant twist in the end? Throughout the play, this serious issue was not even hinted or highlighted. Writing comic plays doesn’t mean to add anything you like, without making its heads or tails.

v – A dull, boring set design, is another reason why to lose your mood.

 

 

 

+ Overall
Although, Farhan’s Good Luck Darling manages to bring a positive laughter combined with good direction. However, its unnecessary sex-based jokes filled with big scoops of vulgarity, ruins the moment of this play’s triumph.

 

 

Rate: 2.25 out of 5 stars

 

A review on Pakistani Psychological Drama theatre play, Equus (2017). It was performed at NAPA.

 

 

 

+ Crew

• Directed, Costumes Design & Set Design by Sunil Shanker
• Written (Adaptation) by Sunil Shanker and Nazar ul Hasan
• Asst. Directed by Zaman and Mazhar
• Sound Mixing by Bhatti sb
• Lighting by Masood ur Rehman

 

 

 

+ Horses Performers

• Owais
• Salman
• Shahrukh
• Zaeem
• Mahesh
• Mustafa
• Mohsin
• Zohair
• Faizan

 

 

+ Note
Equus is a play originally written by Peter Shaffer in 1973. He was inspired to write ‘Equus’ when he heard of a crime involving a 17-year-old who blinded six horses in a small town near Suffolk.

There is an English film ‘Equus’ (1977) starring Richard Burton as Martin and Peter Firth as Alan. Shaffer’s play, Equus won the 1975 Tony Award for Best Play and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle that year as well. His screenplay adaptation of the play was nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar in 1977.

I am pleased to see that there was an age restriction to watch this play. Good management. The music is originally composed by Natasha Humera Ejaz.

Previously Sunil Shankar conducted ‘Equus’ play in 2012 while receiving overwhelming success. The praises were such as “An Equestrian Journey” – Dawn News and “Saving the Best for the Last” – Express Tribune.

 

 
+ Full Cast

1. Nazar ul Hasan as Martin Dysart
2. Ali Hasan Junejo as Alan
3. Saad Zameer Fareedi as Dalton & Frank
4. Meher Jaffri as Hesther
5. Natasha Humera Ejaz as Jill Mason
6. Shama Askari as Dora
7. Asiya Alam as Nurse
8. Kashif Hussain as Nugget

 

 

 

 

+ Plot
A psychiatrist attempts to treat a young man who has a pathological religious fascination with horses.

 

 

+ High Points
i – Genius level direction by Sunil Shanker. This play could not be pulled off so brilliantly by anyone as he did. Bravo!

ii – The horses performances, standing or posing in a statue fashion for a 3 hour play, the agility and different movements, noises that they made were all spectacularly been done.

iii – Superb handling of Lighting. It helped with the different moods of the play very effective to watch.

iv – Propounding an amazing performance by Ali Hasan Junejo as Alan. This was one of the two difficult characters to be played which Ali proved everyone that he is the one for it. Although most of the cast were new faces for me but I am glad to see that he played the lead part very well indeed.

v – To perform realistically, for Natasha Ejaz the task was like ‘A Walk in the Park’. I was stunned to see such a beautiful, bold performance by her. This is also her first performance that I have watched.

vi – Nazar ul Hasan as Martin Dysart performed very convincingly, really made us believe that he was an actual psychiatrist and not a great artist. Other Honorable Mentions: Saad Zameer Fareedi.

vii – The costumes design, especially of the horses are ‘A’ graded quality.

viii – The music is wonderfully composed, bought the audience closer to the play’s intense scenes.

ix – The designing of the set was well executed for three major scenarios… the psychiatrist’s room, the main deck and the patient’s room.

x – Avoided vulgarity, nudity or obscene acts in terms of sexual and language.

 

 

 

+ Low Points
i –Though Sunil Shanker have been able to pull this off in the most sensational manner yet, I believe that the 3 hours for a drama play is too long for the audience to bear and watch it till the end. Most people may not have the patience to sit it through till the second half regardless how much interesting the play is. For me, it was like watching LOTRS on DVD with an ‘Extended Version’.

ii – The first half was a bit mixture of impressive yet somewhat bore at the same time. It was difficult to concentrate on the play by having explicit conversations regarding the boy’s heath, mental issues and his secrecy love and bizarre religious beliefs involving horses. It may perhaps be possible to reduce at least 20 – 30 minutes of it.

iii – It was hard to tell the difference of the time and date in the play since the getup (most / all the time) remained the same in every scene.

iv – Ali Junejo didn’t really look like 17 yr old but only his performance was.

 

 

 

+ Overall
Equus is not only visually striking and narrative sustaining, but also its story deepens down to the root cause has left the audience highly impressive whereas it is truly a great achievement in the world of theatre.

 

 
Rate: 4.50 out of 5

 

A review on an epic Pakistani Political Rom-Drama theatre play, Hua Kuch Yoon (2018). This play was performed at Arts Council Karachi.

 

 

+ Crew

• Narration & Directed by Dawar Mahmood
• Written by Sajid Hassan
• Lights by Shakeel Ahmed
• Makeup & Hair Styling by Kamal Uddin Ahmed
• Produced by Kopykat Productions

 

 
+ Note

Hua Kuch Yoon is a high budget epic play (original). An 84 year story (1919 – 2003) is been told in an almost 2 hours of play. The main and supporting cast consists of total 35 performers while there are total 11 set (changing) designs during the play. There was a professional team of young dancers hired by the production house. The costume designer is Honey Love while Asiya Bibi happens to be the production designer.

The BTS team consists of vast people, such as Syeda Maryam Jalil, Muhammad Umer Khan, Wamiq Naseer, Hatim Parekh, Faizan Ahmed Khan, Syed Raheel Ali, Saim Rauf Mughal, Asad Rehman, Mansoor, Muzzammil Memon, Syeda Ayesha Jalil, Areeba Rizvi, Faisal Akbar, Abeeha Adnan, Muhammad Danish, Mansoor Iqbal, Wajeeha Mukthar, Ali Idress, Daniyal Hassan Syed, Yumna Shakeel, Khurram, Bilal Zaidi, Kabeer Adil Siddiqqui, Faizan Hasan, Omair Mumtaz, Syed Abuzar KKR and many more.

Similarly minor supporting cast consists of Mahgul Mumtaz, Sana Ameen, Sidra Qamar, Mannan, Abid Khan, Infas Khan, Rabeet Raza, Syed Ramish Hasan Bukhari, Asad Muhammad Bashir, Hammad Multani, Sibghatullah Qureshi, QM Shafay, Ghazanfer Khan, Muhammad Younus, Askar Hasnain Zaidi, Iqan Uddin Asmi, Vivek Anand Manglani, Bilal, Muhammad Rayyan, Muhammad Zayam, Adnan, Safer, Rizwan, Sahir Shakeel and many more.

Hua Kuch Yoon was the first play I have watched with so many performers on stage and the multiple times sets been changed. Hua Kuch Yoon has been conducted in major cities all over Pakistan with very positive reviews.

 

 
+ Main Cast

1. Saad Farrukh Khan as Raja (Young)
2. Fareeha Raza as Indira Gandhi / Ainee (Young)
3. Saad Zameer Fareedi as Nawab Sb / Raja (Older)
4. Marya Saad Fareedi as Ainee (Older)
5. Faraz Ali as Bihari Fruit Wala / Dholpholia Police – Bounty Hunter / Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
6. Taha Humayun as Venkit / Annie’s Friend Zone Lover / Guy at Railway #1 (Rapist)
7. Adil Bangash as Khushwant Singh
8. Mujtaba Rizvi as Fruit Walla

 

 

 

 

+ Plot
It revolves around Raja & Annie, of how they were orphaned and then later adopted by their foster parents during the time before the partition of India and Pakistan. Their lives of friendship and love is been shown through the passage of the time of 80 years, from birth till death.

 

 

+ High Points
i – Dawar Mahmood has shown what a great direction means for a play. His work had made the characters to present themselves even more interesting than they were written. I would look forward for his upcoming plays.

ii – Excellent writing by Sajid Hassan that is in its story telling and screenplay. The interest level most of the times was high in every scene.

iii – Once again, an outstanding performance given by Faraz Ali as Dholpholia; Police – Bounty Hunter. It’s about time that he should be appearing on good budgeted TV and films alike. His acting is so appealing that the spectators’ eyes are glued on stage. He is no ordinary great actor I can assure you but something much more. With a serious note, if he ever to be shared a scene with a fame veteran actor such as Naseeruddin Shah, the audience would refuse to believe that Faraz is a newcomer on the big screen.

iv – The dynamic couple (Saad Fareedi and Marya Saad) bought an interesting chemistry to this play to an emotional, proper ending. Other Honorable Mentions: Fareeha Raza, Adil Bangash, Taha Humayun, Mujtaba Rizvi and Saad Farrukh Khan.

v – Light humor suited well with the serious tensions of this political rom-drama.

vi – Superb quality sets were designed and constructed. Additional relevant props helped to make the scenes more intriguing to look at.

vii – Loved the way how the creativity was thought over and handled. Even the smaller details to the end credits were given importance.

viii – Good voice narration helped the audience to understand the passage of time and important incidents during the play.

ix – Almost the entire team have given solid performances including the supporting cast.

x – The costumes were well designed / managed / suited for the characters.

xi – The lighting was very carefully and efficiently taken care of. Good work!

 

 

+ Low Points
i – There is a good reason why we have the stage to do the performances. It’s preferable to act on the main stage, if not then at least be nearby it. However, there were few performances going on within the place where the audience sat in upper and lower rows. It is difficult and uncomfortable to watch the performances off the stage, especially happening behind you.

ii – Since Fareeha Raza was already playing young Ainee’s character, so to choose her to play Indira Gandhi’s character and then sharing the scene with Older Ainee’s character played by Marya Saad seemed … wrong, creating unnecessary confusion. People started saying if Fareeha could have played an older age character then why not she played out Older Ainee’s character as well.

One may say that Saad Fareedi had also played two characters too (Nawab Shah and Older Raja). But Fareeha’s example does not match with Saad’s since his two characters never shared with a scene together (except for child characters of Raja & Ainee).

iii – What’s so funny having toilet humor? It is cheap, childish comedy; better to leave it for retards.

iv – You might miss out several political referred jokes if you are not up to date with our current politics.

 

 

+ Overall
Hua Kuch Yoon has almost clean sweep the audience and critics with its mastery writing, direction and strong performances in this epic play.

 
Rate: 4.50 out of 5 stars

 

A review on Pakistani Rom-Drama theatre play, Heer Ranjha (2016). It was performed at NAPA.

 

 

+ Crew

• Directed by Naz
• Sound Designed by Alooha
• Lighting by Ubaid Iqbal

 

 

 

+ Note

Heer Ranjha is originally written by Waris Shah. It is one of several popular tragic romances of Punjab. The others are Mirza Sahiba and Sohni Mahiwal. There are several poetic narrations of the story, the most famous being ‘Heer’ by Waris Shah written in 1766.

This play tells the story of the love of Heer and her lover Ranjha. Some historians say that the story was the original work of Shah, written after he had fallen in love with a girl named Bhag Bhari. Others say that Heer and Ranjha were real personalities who lived under the Lodi dynasty and that Waris Shah later utilized these personalities for his story. Shah states that the story has a deeper meaning, referring to the unrelenting quest that man has towards God.

Since Heer Ranjha’s plot involves a romance opposed by family members and ends, the story is often compared to the Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet.

 

 

+ Full Cast

1) Marya Saad Fareedi as Heer

2) Saad Zameer Fareedi as Ranjha

3) Samhan Ghazi as Qazi

4) Aamir Naqvi as Sarpanj

5) Muntazir Mehdi as Seida

6) Damyanti Gosai as Sehti

7) Tehreem Shafiq & Fajir Sheikh as Village Girls

8) Akbar Aftab Ladhani as Ravi

9) Saddam Hussain as Qeedu

10) Aisha Iqbal as Ranjha’s Bhabhi

11) Roohi Ahmed as Heer’s Friend

12) Naz as Chaudhrain

13) Abdullah Alnoor as Chaudhry

 

 

+ Plot

Heer is an extremely beautiful woman, born into a wealthy family of the Sial (tribe) Jatt in Jhang, with Pakistan setting. Ranjha also a Jat of the Ranjha tribe is the youngest of four brothers and lives in the village of Takht Hazara, by the river Chenab.

Eventually, Ranjha arrives in Heer’s village and falls in love with her. But their families including the village people highly oppose them.

 

 

+ High Points

i – Show’s stealer is none other than Saddam Hussain, who performed as Qeedu. It was really a creative way to show him as handicapped. His one recurring quote that he delivered throughout his scenes was amusing to hear.

ii – Samhan Ghazi as Qazi played the supporting role superbly. He played his villainous role very nicely. Other Honorable Mentions: Naz.

iii – The costumes were in bright colors and cultural as the story required it to be.

iv – Tehreem Shafiq & Fajir Sheikh as Village Girls looked glamorous on stage.

v – The set design was sound according to the settings of the play.

 

 

+ Low Points

i – What happens when in a romantic play there is no passionate love shown between the two lovers? If this is the case here of ‘Heer Ranjha’ then this flaw would be consider as blunder.

ii – There was immense lack of chemistry between Saad Fareedi and Marya Saad. Nowhere did they look like lovers especially of first sight. What they actually looked like were couple of actors who were told to perform on stage and here are your lines that they need to be delivered in front of the audience.

iii – The love story between Heer & Ranjha was hardly shown to the audience and the play was quickly forward to the next scenes.

iv – There were no proper character development of the main characters including of Heer & Ranjha which would had made an essential emotional link with the audience. Then whatever conflicts would fall on these two lead actors, we as audience would feel their pain of hurting or losing them.

v – The responsibility of the bad performances by most of the cast is of the director as well. Since the director is head of the team then she needed to make sure that the performances least by the two lead stars need to be perfect as their roles were but did not fulfilled the basic requirement.

 

 

+ Overall

Though hearty, Naz’s vehicle Heer Ranjha is also weak and tasteless.

 

 

 

Rate: 2.0 out of 5 stars

 

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

1. Erum Bashir as Sophie
2. Owais Mubashir as Qutbuddin
3. 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