Islamabad gets comic relief

Director Shah Sharahbeel returns to the city with Urdu adaptation of the Ray Cooney play

ISLAMABAD: Usually known for getting attention for Dharna’s and rallies , Islamabad gave its residents a  moment to laugh it all off with You Only Marry Twice. The play returned to the capital’s Pakistan National Council of Arts nearly after a decade. This time around it was adapted in Urdu with an entirely Karachi-based cast. The play revolves around the complicated life of bigamist pilot, Faisal Mirza, who manages to keep two separate families, unaware of each other’s presence until children from separate wives fall in love over the internet.

At times, the stories of both families were showcased simultaneously on stage - a task that was meticulously executed by director Sharahbeel, who has been producing plays for more than fifteen years now.

Acting powerhouse Faizan Sheikh plays the lead role of Faisal Mirza. Having done multiple stage plays in the past, Sheikh is currently starring in Mehreen Jabbar’s TV play Mera Naam Yousaf Hai.  On the other hand, Aadi (Adeal Amjad) captivated the audience with his goofy charm and diverse skill-set as Mirza’s tenant and partner-in-crime, Momie.



Aadi has acted in multiple Karachi-based plays and is a part of the LOL Waalay – an upcoming improvisational comedy troupe. The seasoned Saqib Sumeer was also a part of the stellar cast and played the character of Momie’s father (Baba) , who is an over romantic octogenarian. With Baba, Sumeer added another great performance to the Napa (National Academy of Performing Arts) graduate’s portfolio.

The female cast included, Muzaina Malik as Fouzia, who is also a Napa alumini and Maham Aamir as Robina, who is starring in several new TV serials at the moment. Muzaina and Fouzia played Mirza’s wives.

It was the debute theatre performance for 19-year-old Syeda Aqsa Rizwan, who plays Mirza’s daughter, Nida. “I fractured my shoulder and developed swollen feet whilst rehearsing but that didn’t stop me. My passion for performance kept me going,” said Rizwan.

Since the director himself was not present during the first show, actor Saqib Sumeer introduced all the team members.  He further announced that Shah Sharabeel, who has been living in London for the past 5 years, will be moving back to Islamabad for good.  So the people of the capital can expect lots of comedy and theatre in the future. The play enticed many uproarious laughs amongst audiences who genuinely had a good time. The play will continue till May, 15.

You Only Marry Twice is Sharabeel’s fifth play after the phenomenal Bombay Dreams, The Phantom of Opera, Moulin Rougeand Tom Dick & Harry.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th,  2015.

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