Localising ‘Taming of the Shrew’

A Pakistani adaptation of Shakespeare’s play to be presented in London.

LAHORE:

Rehearsals and practices are underway in Lahore for the Theatre Wallay and Kashf Foundation production “Taming of the Shrew” that is set to appear at Globe to Globe, an international theatre festival in London. Featuring distinguished actors such as Nadia Jamil, Umair Rana and Salman Shahid, amongst others, the play — scheduled for May 25 and May 26, 2012 — will be one of the first theatre troupes in the recent past to represent Pakistan on the international stage.

When it comes to theatre, William Shakespeare’s impact on literature, culture, art, theatre and film can never be underestimated. Hence, theatre veteran Naveed Shahzad has now taken up the task of directing and attempting to recreate the Shakespearean comedy “Taming of the Shrew” in Urdu.

In an exclusive interview, UK-based project producer Susannah Harris-Wilson, who returned to Lahore (after having lived in the city back in the 1960s) to supervise and assist the team with the basic preparations, says that the play seeks to provide a unique Pakistani take on Shakespeare’s famous work. “The important thing is that this is a home-grown production and hence the play is set in Lahore, which is considered the cultural capital of the country,” says Wilson excitedly. Meanwhile, Wilson also states that the play emphasises on education. “In the adaptation we’re going to emphasise on the challenges of educated Pakistani women in conventional arranged marriages.”

Set in the festive season of basant, the production’s background score will be performed live. The music, which is being directed by Valerie Kaul, is set to include the works of several accomplished and talented musicians including a couple of members from the Mekaal Hasan Band. Though the production of the soundtrack has just begun, it has been decided that it will include a mix of folk and bhangra to keep in line with the basant theme.

Challenges ahead

Part of the rigorous preparations for the play included translating it into Urdu. Newcomers Maryam Pasha, Zaibun Pasha and Aamna Kaul, who have degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing and are also fluent in Urdu, have been given the task of meticulous translation.

However, despite these developments and the team working hard, there are still plenty of challenges ahead for the production team who will be up against troupes from across the world. These troupes are not only professional but have also received great support and funding from their respective countries. So far, only Lahore Grammar School and the Globe Theatre itself have given grants for this production.

Despite the odds, Shahzad is very passionate about the venture and explains that it is an attempt to revive the tradition of English theatre in Pakistan when foreign artists would visit regularly.

She adds that there was even a time when the British Council in Pakistan put up a production starring actor Judi Dench! “This will be a high point for many actors but, more importantly, Pakistan will be participating on a platform which can help promote a liberal view of the country through theatre,” says  Shahzad.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th,  2011.