Category: Theatre Plays

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

 

A review on Pakistani Comedy Drama theatre play, ‘Rehearsal’ (2018). Its Production is Stage Nomad Production while its Asst. Producer & Asst. Director is Rao Nauman Rehman.

 

 

+ Crew

• Written (Adapted) & Directed by Syed Meesam Naqvi
• Costumes Design by Rao Nauman and Pirah
• Set Design by Javed Bhai
• Lighting by Ubaid Iqbal
• Produced by Irfan Anwer

 

 

+ Note
Rehearsal is a Marathi play as Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe (aka Silence! The Court Is in Session) which was originally written in 1963 by an Indian Playwright, Vijay Tendulkar (deceased). He was also a movie and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist, and social commentator primarily in Marāthi. He is best known for other plays are Ghāshirām Kotwāl (1972), and Sakhārām Binder (1972). Late Vijay Tendulkar was awarded for it in 1970 whereas many stage and on-screen projects have adapted this play in later decades.

Rehearsal is a play where personality conflict brings out the tension among the group of people who they deemed as the weakest.

This play’s star power included two well-known names of IBA theatre play team, Hammad Ather Mehmood and Yogeshwar Karera. Most of the performers are from IBA theatre team while Muhammad Muneeb Baig and Farhan Malik are from NAPA. Previously the character of Selun Mathew was played by Faizan Fazal.

Rehearsal is the fourth stage play produced by Stage Nomad Productions and my third one to attend their play. This Production House is responsible for such plays as Court Martial (2016) and Mulzim Ya Mujrm (2017).

 

 
+ Full Cast:

1. Faiza Mahmood as Saba
2. Yogeshwar Karera as Samant
3. Hammad Ather Mehmood as Nawab Sahab
4. Mushk Kaleem as Begum Shagufta Nawab
5. Syed Shah Hassan as Shah Kazmi
6. Muhammad Muneeb Baig as Selun Mathew
7. Moiz Khan as Kavish
8. Farhan Malik as Bablu

 

 

+ Plot
A group of teachers plan to stage a play in a village. A local person is asked to replace a cast-member when he does not show up. A heavily improvised ‘Rehearsal’ is arranged where a mock trial is staged so that the learners could understand the court procedures. But soon the pretend-play turns into an accusatory game against Miss Saba (another cast member) where her real-life decision making trial begins.

 

 

+ High Points
i – The acting by the entire cast is well established, nicely executed. Everyone did swell job in playing out their characters.

ii – The adaptation of the source material, made this play into an effective one. The audience watched it with keen interest.

iii – Meesam Naqvi did good work in its direction, how the play was able to get proper, effective shape on-stage.

iv – The level of humor was light and not vulgar, which was perfect for a play like ‘Rehearsal’.

v – Solid performance pulled by Faiza Mahmood as Saba. Long before when she has to give 5-pages monologue on-stage, her performance can be safely say to be best from the rest of the cast members. Other Honorable Mentions: Yogeshwar Karera, Hammad Ather Mehmood and Syed Shah Hassan.

vi – The lighting was attractively handled to set moods and situation of the play.

 

 

+ Low Points
i – Regardless of what the original playwright says, one’s monologue can be reduced or be made less dramatic by eliminating or lessen the use of shouting, screaming. Instead, be replaced by the brief lines to share her past with the audience. Though it’s ultimately the writer’s choice, of how he wants to display it in the end. However the key to understand the pain of the character is not through the help of lengthy monologue but by making a valid point with well-chosen words.

ii – I am well aware and have understood of the character’s backgrounds completely in Rehearsal but the use of gay element or mimicry is left for those, who have underprivileged writing skills for a comic play. It is better to avoid it.

iii – The set design for an old, abandoned house could have been improved; more suitable props could have been added.

iv – I have never seen a play where the use of toilet is so much engaged by different characters without given a proper explanation.

 

+ Overall
Rehearsal is surprisingly a well-written and performed play by Stage Nomad Production since their very first play, Court Martial.

 

 

Rate: 3.50 out of 5

 

A review on Pakistani Comic theatre play, ‘Sab Golmaal Hai’ (2017). Its Asst. Director is Fahad Alvi while the Makeup is handled by Sabs.

 

 

+ Crew

• Directed by Zeeshan Haider
• Written by Babar Jamal
• Lights & Back Stage by Shahid Bh
• Costume Management by Pervez Ahmed & Edenrobe
• Produced by Sarwat Gilani

 

 

+ Note
Its Creative Directors are Cyrus Karanjia & Salman Dagiya. It is a charity theatre play. In the past, Zeeshan Haider have directed a successful comic theatre play ‘Kis Ki Topi Kis K Sar’.

 

 

+ Full Cast:

1. IR Omer as Abid
2. Erum Ero as Shumaila / Abid’s Wife
3. Saad Zameer Fareedi as Inspector Rana
4. Ahmer Hussain as Arsalan
5. Syeda Frozan Mustafa as Noreen
6. Farhan Alam as IG Officer
7. Noman Ali as Sar Zameen
8. Arman Tejani as Mogambo

 

 

+ Plot
Abid is a common man who happens to accidentally swap his briefcase, with another filled with a lot of CASH.

 

 

+ High Points
i – The main ingredient to this play’s success is its direction by respected Zeeshan Haider. It’s good to see him able to bounce back where he showed everyone why he should not be underestimated. Only a talented director like him would be able to pull this off, this… complex written script.

ii – Great performance by IR Omer. He performed her role with such ease and comfortably. He is usually an ideal for lead roles while in this play he did not disappoint.

iii – Farhan Alam played of an investigating officer in supporting role. This actor is a genius when it comes to comic plays. Other Honorable Mentions: Rest of the cast.

iv – Some of the one liners were really hilarious and pleasing for enjoyment.

v – I can see the much needed improvement in writing by Babar Jamal. He has written successful plays in the past such as ‘Meare Samne Wali Kherki’ and ‘Aasman Se Gira’.

vi – The set design was nicely presented / constructed.

vii – The makeup team did a good job on their part.

 

 

+ Low Points
i – I was one of those few who found it hard to actually laugh with the audience. At best, I was smiling at some good punch lines.

ii – Since the story was written involving multiples lies and several fake ids in many different scenarios therefore at times it was hard to follow to what exactly is happening which created lot of confusion altogether.

iii – In some occasions it seemed that the performers were really trying hard to make audience laugh.

iv –  Although the play was shorten to 90 minutes, even then it felt like eternity. Unnecessary lies were only dragging the play. My suggestion to the writer is, try to reduce it further and finalize it till 80 minutes maximum. Although 75 minutes of play would be perfect in this case.

v – It was sad to see such a good actor, Arman Tejani in a small / guest role.

 

 

+ Overall
A reversion to entertaining screwball comedies, Sab Golmaal Hai lures with smooth performances and great partnership of Zeeshan Haider and Babar Jamal.

 

 

Rate: 3.25 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Rom-Drama theatre play, ‘Sifar Ki Taraf’ (2017). Its Asst. Directed by Kulsoom A. Khan while its Sound Mixer & Score is managed by Ashraf Bhatti.

 

 

+ Crew

• Costume Designed, Production Designed & Directed by Anjum Ayaz
• Written by Iqbal Nazar
• Lights & Back Stage by Uzma Sabeen
• Makeup & Hairstyling by Kamal Uddin Ahmed
• Produced by NRT

 

 

+ Note
Sifar Ki Taraf is an original play. Since the performances have been at its best by the entire cast therefore, I would be discussing those performances only whose roles were the most interesting or those who have improved a lot.

 
+ Full Cast:

1. Haris Khan as Shareef
2. Irma Ali as Nasreen
3. Nazar-ul-Hassan as Shamso
4. Meesam Naqvi as Bedil
5. Fajir Sheikh as Niyazan
6. Faraz Ali as Deeda
7. Umair Rafiq as Billa
8. Vajdaan Shah as Vajdaan
9. Shabana Hassan as Pagli
10. Naveed Kamal as Niyazi
11. Kulsoom Aftab Khan as Shamso’s Wife / Nasreen’s Mom (voice cameos)
12. Ashoq Kushik as Gali ka Bacha

 

 

 

+ Plot
In a busy neighborhood, every civilian is facing problems either financially, socially or psychologically. Even at such circumstances, they try to live as best as they can.

 

+ High Points
i – The main ingredient to this play’s success is its direction by respected Anjum Ayaz. His previous work, ‘Qissa Sootay Jaagtay Ka’ (2016) was also a very interesting, well directed play.

ii – Iqbal Nazar did an outstanding job when it comes to writing that is story telling. I don’t think I have watched his other works on-stage before but definitely looking forward to it.

iii – No, I didn’t see that ‘Twist’ coming. — sheesh… a really ‘Haunting’ one I must say.
iv – Hands down, Faraz Ali performed the most spontaneous, clearly superseded others by playing his character at its best. He is one of those rare actors, who have able to climb the steps of being a professional actor very quickly. No one in the audience or performers alike would be able to contradict with this fact. He has already amazed audience several times due to his great performances and is very likely to become a veteran actor soon in the media world.

v – Not only Fajir Sheikh performed really well… this is also her best performance till date.

vi – ‘A’ graded set designed / constructed nicely.

vii – The makeup by Kamal Uddin Ahmed is so great that such NAPA beauties like Fajir Sheikh and Shabana Hassan were unrecognizable in their getup and makeover. Even a great actor such as Faraz Ali was hard to identify.

viii – Meesam Naqvi should do more theatre performances as he is such a wonderful performer.

ix – Naveed Kamal is NAPA’s one of the most under rated actors. Mostly he is given a supporting role, whereas has the ability to do ‘Magical’ performance on-stage.

x – Pleased to see Irma Ali’s improvement. With passage of time, take challenging and different roles.

 

 
+ Low Points
NIL

 

+ Overall
What a treat it is to see a list of well-known performers team-up with a great director in Sifar Ki Taraf.

 
Rate: 5 out of 5 stars

 

A review on Pakistani Comic theatre play, ‘Bye Mistake’ (2016). The Production Assistant is Muhammad Essa while Production Manager is Munira Abbas Ali.

 

+ Crew

• Directed by Masood-ur-Rehman
• Sound Designed by Ashraf Bhatti
• Asst. Directed by Syeda Maha Ali

 

 

 

+ Note

Its director, Masood-ur-Rehman has directed two plays before this and acted in number of NAPA plays such as Mantorama, Marat Sade, Anjame Mohabbat and Shakuntala.

 

 

+ Full Cast:

1) Farhan Alam as Sultan Firdous / Gangster #1

2) Syed Muhammad Jamil as Saleem Khaadi / Gangster #2

3) Hammad Khan as Fawad Ahmed / Gangster #3

4) Kashif Hussain as Major Mastan

5) Shumaila Taj as Nimra Mastan / Mastan’s wife

6) Syeda Maha Ali as Zoya / Nimra’s sister

7) Muzaina Malik as Mrs. Fazeela Badruddin aka Mrs. FB

8) Hajra Yamin as Tina / Mrs. FB’s daughter

9) Aqeel Ahmed as Mr. Kaleem Baig

10) Saeeda Mazhar as Malaika Baig / Kaleem’s daughter

 

 

 

+ Plot

With the help of Sultan & Fawad, Saleem Khaadi is escaped and bought back freely from prison in order to tell the hideout of the loot that he had stolen with his former partner and hide it somewhere in this hotel. But soon, they realize that this is the wrong Khaadi they are with, who have no idea where the stash is? Meanwhile, there are few wacky guests that they need to be careful.

 

 

+ High Points

i – Astonishing performance by Syed Muhammad Jamil as Saleem Khaadi. He was one of the main ingredients to why this play was really a comical one to watch.

ii – Farhan Alam as Sultan Firdous played the main supporting role terrifically. He seems to do farce comedy really well on-stage. Other Honorable Mentions: Hammad Khan and Kashif Hussain.

iii – The screenplay was hilariously written and it strongly supports the actors to execute well in front of live audience.

iv – The art direction of the stage and the costumes were both handled carefully.

 

 

 

+ Low Points

i – Rather being incredible funny or have creative good punch lines, it was mostly mild humorous.

ii – The characters of Nimra and Zoya were very weak and questionable on their existence.

iii – Never saw the use of a cupboard that much with such a vast capacity to fill several people in (knowingly that it leads to another room inside).

 

 

 

+ Overall

Bye Mistake‘s cast of comedy vets is very suitable, who uplifted it with worthy performances and good direction.

 

 

Rate: 3.50 out of 5 stars

 

 

A review on Pakistani Comedy theatre play, ‘Sinbad’ (2017). The music is originally composed by Arshad Mahmud while the producer of this play, Rauf Afridi is a multi-talented person who is also a terrific actor, writer and director.

 

 

+ Crew

• Written, Lighting & Directed by Uzma Sabeen
• Sound Mixing by Ashraf Bhatti
• Set Design by Javed Yousuf
• Costumes & Getup by Pervaiz Iqbal
• Produced by Rauf Afridi

 

 

+ Note
There have been many works based on the fictional character, ‘Sinbad’. In short, he is a sailor and the hero of a story-cycle of Middle Eastern origin; he is described as living in Baghdad, during the Abbasid Caliphate. During his voyages throughout the seas east of Africa and south of Asia, he has fantastic adventures going to magical places, meeting monsters, and encountering supernatural phenomena.

Other characters such as ‘Umro Ayaar’, is taken from “The Enchantment of Senses” series by Mohammad Jah in Tilism E Hoshruba; as a Benarasi Thug. In Urdu, the word ‘Ayaar’ means cunning. His signature element was a ‘Zambeel’, a basket which carries anything. He has pulled out armies from it. Umro is one of the most famous storybook characters along with Rustam and Sohrab, Aladdin, Sindbad, Chacha Chakkan and many more. The character ‘Al Capone’ is the only one who is based on real life person aka Alphonse Gabriel Capone (17 Jan 1899 – 25 Jan 1947) also known by the nickname ‘Scarface’, was an American mobster, crime boss and businessman who attained fame during the Prohibition era as the co-founder and boss of the Chicago Outfit. His seven-year reign as crime boss ended when he was 33 years old. In last, the character ‘Angloo’ is a word actually which refers to people of mixed races.

The writer didn’t just use some of the characters names randomly but from famous works / real life as mentioned above.

 
+ Full Cast:

1. Kashif Hussain as Sindbad
2. Tehreem Shafiq as Shaheen
3. Ahmer Hussain as Al Capone
4. Shabana Hassan as Malika
5. Hammad Khan as Angloo / Umro Ayaar
6. Fraz Chhotani as Bangloo
7. Nadir Hussain as Badshah
8. Essa Khan as Mustafa
9. Raheel Siddique as Gidola aka Giant Bird (Cameo)

 

 

 + Plot
To win Shaheen’s hand in marriage, Sinbad needs to travel thousand miles of sea to get to an island where he could bring back ‘Unique’ treasure to her father’s kingdom.

 

+ High Points
i – Remarkable performance by Fraz Chhotani as Bangloo. The last performance I watched of his was of Khaled Ahmed Sb’s play ‘Sher Khan Ka Makan’ in which he played a flirt old man character. Though Fraz has directed a couple of plays too but his performances of comic characters are really well put and here too made his firm stand in playing a memorable jinn role as ‘Bangloo’.

ii – Ahmer Hussain as Al Capone performed nicely and it’s always fun to watch his comic performances.

iii – Lighting is been handled wonderfully.

iv – The costumes & getup were taken care well.

v – Some of the punch lines were add up some good humor.

vi – Songs, dances and Live interactions with the children (audience) boasts up the interest to watch kids’ play.

 

+ Low Points
i – Most of the jokes were flat and lacked good, keen story line. Though the target audience for such plays is children, however they too were finding hard time in laughing out.

ii – Since the character ‘Sinbad / Sindbad’ is a very popular among children & adults alike where many written works, comics, films, cartoons and theatre plays have been conducted based on him therefore it should have been much easier for the writer to make an interesting story line up for the play than to make a play from the scratch.

iii – Lack of good performances indicated as though the cast themselves were not taking their play seriously as to say it’s a ‘Children’s Play’.

iv – ‘Type Cast’ roles performed by Nadir Hussain, Hammad Khan & Tehrim Shafiq. Their performances were okay but did not caught audience attention towards them.

v – The song may have been originally composed by Arshad Mahmud but it was not exciting nor matched with the theme of Sinbad’s era. I am aware that there were several mentions of modern era objects in the play but try to stick with the theme of Sinbad’s original era if the music is to be originally composed. Unless the play is entirely based on modern time period including costumes and set design.

vi – I believe that the set design could have improved a lot … if it is shown for commercial basis.

vii – The most stimulating character should have been the lead character, Sinbad. It is necessary for the ‘Kids Play’, as it is based on him & his adventurous tasks. His scenes, performance should have been the most fascinating to watch but unfortunately it was not so.

viii – Due to product placements, in-house marketing materials, the sponsors made sure that the audience remember the name ‘Ballay, Ballay’ instead of ‘Sinbad’ when they exit the theatre house.

 
+ Overall
Although Sinbad is a universally loved character, but its play suffers from mediocre humor and too simple story line for the audience to find difficult time to enjoy.

 
Rate: 2.25 out of 5 Stars