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                        <title>Theatre Reviews, Stage Performances and Plays - The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>Is theatre stirring again?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2584273/is-theatre-stirring-again</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2584273/is-theatre-stirring-again#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 27 Dec 25 21:43:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Omair Alavi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[T-Magazine]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2584273</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[OTT &amp; dramas may have pushed theatre to the margins, Monkey Business proves live performance still has bite]]>
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				<![CDATA[Theatre might not have reclaimed its long-lost position in 2025, but it did make giant strides during the year, with Yasir Hussain&rsquo;s Monkey Business making audiences laugh across the country. Yasir Hussain not only wrote and acted in the play but also directed it.

The play was first staged in April and was well received nationwide. The second innings proved just as successful, with the makers inserting jokes about India&rsquo;s failed attack on Pakistan in May, along with anecdotes that particularly appealed to the media fraternity.

What makes Monkey Business stand out at a time when OTT platforms and better TV drama productions have sidelined theatre and cinema? And why should one recommend a play that may seem like old wine in a new bottle? Please watch it to know. The next time Monkey Business is staged in your city, make it your business to go with friends and family and have a great time.



The Plot

Wasim (Yasir Hussain) is a talented but unemployed thespian who survives through fraudulent means. He cashes cheques meant for his deaf-in-one-ear wife, his dead tenant, and a disabled version of himself. The twist? His wife, Mrs Wasim (Yusra Irfan), is perfectly healthy; his tenant, Sherry (Umer Aalam), is very much alive; and Wasim isn&rsquo;t disabled at all. When the authorities send an investigator to verify the claims, the situation escalates to a whole new level. Not only does Wasim have to convince the officer (Bilal Yousufzai) that his lies are true, but he also ropes Sherry into the scheme. Add Sherry&rsquo;s girlfriend (Gulrukh Ali Khan), a plumber of sorts (Osama Bin Atiq), the wife&rsquo;s ex-fianc&eacute; (Abdullah), and a die-hard fan (Khizr Ansari) to the mix, and you have an unstoppable comedy of errors.



The Good

Although the play doesn&rsquo;t offer anything entirely new, it uses a tried-and-tested formula in a way that makes it thoroughly enjoyable. It highlights the plight of artists in the country while touching upon issues such as trust, royalty, cleanliness, and development (not in Karachi!). Yasir Hussain is undoubtedly the star of the play, as he writes, directs, and dons multiple avatars throughout. A favourite of the Karachi Arts Council since his role as Akbar in Anwar Maqsood&rsquo;s Aangan Terha over a decade ago, he continues to prove his mettle with ventures like Monkey Business.

It&rsquo;s difficult to say whether he is a better actor, director, or writer, because he excels in all three simultaneously. The play is far superior to Hotel Jaan-e-Jaan, staged last year, as he clearly implements lessons learned from earlier mistakes. That doesn&rsquo;t mean that the previous effort wasn&rsquo;t worth it; it was, but this one is far better. From song selection to casting actors who fit their roles perfectly, everything works, as evidenced by the show&rsquo;s twice houseful run in Karachi.

If Yasir Hussain is the main ingredient, Tamasha winner Umer Aalam is the secret weapon. He delivers in every avatar, starting as the carefree Sherry, then transforming into Mrs Wasim and later her father-in-law, to prove to Wasim that he is a good actor. While the third avatar isn&rsquo;t as prominent, the first two allow him to demonstrate that his reality show win wasn&rsquo;t a fluke, earning him well-deserved applause.



Audiences may have seen the fiery Yusra Irfan in supporting TV roles, but when given the lead, she excels. From playing a dutiful wife to channelling her inner Manjulika, she delivers a standout performance. Her presence is not only visually pleasing but also adds tension to situations where every man is desperately trying to save himself&mdash;repeatedly.

Social media personality Osama Bin Atiq and Bilal Yousufzai also deserve praise for sharing the load with Yasir Hussain and Umer Aalam, who are on stage for most of the play&mdash;the scene where their characters&mdash;Dr Gataria and the Investigator&mdash;meet for the first time evoke memories of classic 1960s madcap comedies. Osama&rsquo;s monologue about the truth behind the term Kooray Wala is not only well delivered but surprisingly deep. Bilal Yousufzai&rsquo;s return to theatre is a welcome move for an actor who has appeared in multiple films and TV dramas since his breakthrough in Anwar Maqsood&rsquo;s theatre productions.

The script is laced with pop culture references that mostly hit the bullseye. If you didn&rsquo;t laugh at lines about no one knowing cheating better than Wasim bhai, or jokes about Ahsan Khan&rsquo;s good looks, you likely smiled at the mention of Amitabh Bachchan&rsquo;s granddaughter Aradhya, the clever incorporation of Big B&rsquo;s iconic dialogues, and the respectful nods to stars like Nida Yasir and Humayun Saeed.



The Bad

The play&rsquo;s length isn&rsquo;t an issue&mdash;it&rsquo;s thoroughly entertaining&mdash;but the late entry of Azeem Bachchan (also played by Yasir Hussain) is. While he energises both the audience and his co-stars as a Pakistani version of Amitabh Bachchan, his appearance comes a bit too late. Gulrukh Ali Khan, who plays Sherry&rsquo;s girlfriend, has limited material to work with; a few more dialogues could have added better representation for the fairer sex.

Khizr Ansari&rsquo;s superfan character may remind viewers of Khalid Nizami&rsquo;s tenant in the PTV classic Ankahi. Still, the youngster adds his own hilarious flavour, especially during his entry scenes and the moment he supposedly gets knocked down.

The only real drawback is the length of the dance numbers. While they help introduce characters, they feel too long for a play already packed with jokes. Trimming them could have improved the pace. Thankfully, the cross-dressing&mdash;something that could easily have gone wrong&mdash;works well overall, with only minor hiccups. With so much happening on stage, confusion is possible, but the audience never loses interest. A few sharp jibes at big names in showbiz and the media may offend some fans, but that edge is precisely what makes the play relevant and relatable.



Verdict

Monkey Business attempts to revive Pakistan&rsquo;s dying theatre culture and largely succeeds. However, more such plays are needed if theatre is to reclaim its lost glory. Producers Asiyah Majeed and Sajeel Meer deserve credit for keeping things balanced and avoiding unnecessary offense. During the initial run, a neighbouring academy of the Arts Council was targeted; this time, the Arts Council itself was fair game, reflecting the makers&rsquo; confidence and smartness.

The version &mdash; or variant &mdash; of Amitabh Bachchan it presents would have made even the great actor proud, because not only are some of his films discussed, but his family is also very crucial to the plot. Yes, the play tries hard to preach during its 70-minute run, but the way it educates while entertaining ensures it stays with you long after you leave the theatre. It never feels cringe, unlike many preceding productions, nor does it target minorities&mdash;perhaps that&rsquo;s why it remains both in business and in memory.

All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the writer

Omair Alavi is a freelance contributor who writes about film, television, and popular culture]]>
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			<title>Crackdown on obscene content in theatres</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2469470/crackdown-on-obscene-content-in-theatres</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2469470/crackdown-on-obscene-content-in-theatres#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 02 Jun 24 21:15:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ASGHAR SALEEMI]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2469470</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Punjab Theatrical Performance Ordinance 2023 promises family-friendly entertainment]]>
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				<![CDATA[In an effort to curb obscenity and nudity in stage plays, the Punjab government has implemented a new Drama Act across the province.

The administrative control of all theatre halls, including those in Lahore, has been transferred from the Home Department to the Information and Culture Department.

Under this new act, the Punjab Arts Council, Information, and Culture Department will not only monitor but also regulate the activities of artists.

The new legislation, titled the &quot;Punjab Theatrical Performance Ordinance 2023,&quot; replaces the 150-year-old Dramatic Performance Act of 1876.

This change comes after previous efforts to eliminate obscenity in commercial theatres faced numerous legal challenges and loopholes.

Last August, during the tenure of caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the government sealed over 10 mega commercial theatres in Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Kasur for violating the old Drama Act and promoting obscene content.

Ali Nawaz, the then Secretary of Information and Culture Punjab, played a pivotal role in this crackdown. He prepared a comprehensive report recommending the transfer of administrative powers over commercial theatres to the Information and Culture Department.

The new act empowers the Punjab Arts Council (PCA) to oversee all aspects of theatre performances, from script approval to monitoring and disciplinary actions. Previously, the Deputy Commissioner&#39;s Office and the Home Department were responsible for monitoring theatre activities and reporting any irregularities. However, by the time actions were taken, performances often concluded, and the involved artists had moved on to other theatres.

Section 10 (a) of the Punjab Council of Arts Act, 1975, now authorises the PCA to advise the government on all policy matters related to artistic and cultural activities.

A committee formed by the Council reviewed the old Dramatic Performance Act and suggested amendments to make it a more effective legal tool.

With the new ordinance in place, the PCA will develop business rules for commercial theatres, ensuring comprehensive oversight from script to performance.

The artists&#39; community has welcomed this change, expressing optimism that it will help eradicate obscenity from the stage.

Qaiser Sanaullah, Chairman of the Punjab Theatres Producers and Artists Association, was among the first to advocate against obscenity in theatres.

He emphasised the importance of producing family-friendly plays and praised the recent performance of the play &quot;Zill-e-Shah&quot; at Tamashil Theatre, which was well-received by families.

Sanaullah hopes that the new Drama Act will restore the lost glory of stage dramas by eliminating obscenity entirely.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2024.]]>
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			<title>Obscenity in theatre</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2461001/obscenity-in-theatre</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2461001/obscenity-in-theatre#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 Mar 24 21:18:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2461001</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[At the bare minimum, government assets should not be involved in any such productions]]>
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				<![CDATA[Theatre is an art form that has been a part of Pakistan&rsquo;s cultural heritage for centuries. It has the power to entertain, educate and inspire audiences. However, modern theatre in Pakistan is rife with examples of obscene content in productions. This trend is concerning and needs to be addressed. Obscene content, which includes offensive language, displays of sexual or violent behaviour and other inappropriate content is not only insensitive and offensive to many people, but it also undermines cultural values and traditions. 

It is essential that theatre productions in Pakistan promote respect, tolerance and diversity rather than perpetuating harmful stereotypes or promoting negative behaviours. The Pakistan government, along with theatre organisations and producers, needs to take steps to discourage the use of obscene content in theatre productions. This could include setting guidelines or standards for appropriate content, providing training or resources for theatre professionals and enforcing penalties for those who violate these standards. Additionally, theatre audiences can also play a role in discouraging obscene content by refusing to attend productions that rely on offensive or harmful material. And for those who would defend such content as being based on consumer demand, just because a market exists doesn&rsquo;t mean it should be supplied. At the bare minimum, government assets should not be involved in any such productions. The people behind bawdy commercial productions should fend for themselves instead of narrowing the space available for high art.

Pakistani theatre has the potential to be a powerful force for positive change, but this can only be achieved by promoting the right values &mdash; respect, tolerance and diversity. By discouraging the use of obscene content in theatre productions, we can help create a more inclusive and culturally rich society.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2024.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Inaugural painting and theatre competition draws record participation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2459757/inaugural-painting-and-theatre-competition-draws-record-participation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2459757/inaugural-painting-and-theatre-competition-draws-record-participation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 24 19:16:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ASGHAR SALEEMI]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2459757</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[CM emphasises importance of preserving Punjabi heritage, promoting cultural activities]]>
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				<![CDATA[The inaugural Punjab painting and theatre competition, organised by the Punjab Arts Council, concluded with resounding success, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of regional arts and culture.

The vibrant ceremony, held at Alhamra Hall, welcomed Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz as the distinguished guest of honour.

During the prestigious event, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz awarded cash prizes totalling seven lakhs to the standout performers in the painting and theatre competitions, recognising their exceptional talent and creativity.

Aqsa Sahir, representing District Kasur, Lahore Division, clinched the top spot in painting, receiving a prize of Rs200,000, while Shazia Khalil from Rawalpindi secured the first position in theatre, earning a reward of Rs500,000.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasised the significance of safeguarding Punjabi culture to preserve the essence of the region&#39;s identity.

She underscored the need for celebrating Punjabi cultural day at educational institutions and integrating Punjabi language into school curriculums.

Reflecting on the rich literary heritage of Punjab, she highlighted the enduring influence of renowned poets like Mian Muhammad Bakhsh and the timeless tales of love and valour depicted in folk legends such as Mirza Sahiba and Heer Ranjha.

Executive Director of the Punjab Arts Council, Syed Bilal Haider, reiterated the organization&#39;s commitment to nurturing artistic talent at the grassroots level and fostering economic opportunities for emerging artists.

He stressed the role of cultural events in promoting inclusivity and harmony in society.

The competition, spanning all 38 districts of the province, witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 2500 individuals, including students and members of civil society.

The top 27 painters from each of the nine divisions of Punjab showcased their works in the provincial art competitions, demonstrating the diverse artistic landscape of the region.

The closing ceremony featured a captivating performance by renowned poets Tehzeb Hafi, Zahid Bashir, and Ikram Arifi, accompanied by emerging talents Anas Azam and Khurram Afaq.

Additionally, an artist talk session led by acclaimed painter Ali Azmat provided valuable insights into the art of drawing and painting.

The event also paid homage to the late singer, Dr Amjad Pervez, whose contributions to the cultural heritage of Lahore were remembered fondly.

Dr Amjad Pervez, known for his melodious voice and literary prowess, was honoured for his enduring legacy in the realm of music and literature.]]>
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			<title>Sadi Puri Hogayi – Tales of women along Sindh’s coastal belt</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451314/sadi-puri-hogayi-tales-of-women-along-sindhs-coastal-belt</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451314/sadi-puri-hogayi-tales-of-women-along-sindhs-coastal-belt#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 27 Dec 23 09:59:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2451314</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Local varsity's theatrical production explores what is lost in the search for capitalist progress]]>
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				<![CDATA[Stories and the sea breed life; Sadi Puri Hogayi performed at Habib University on December 19, 20 and 21 weaved both for a powerful devised theatrical production inviting the audience to reflect on what is lost as the country prioritizes capitalist industrial interests in the name of progress.

Envisioned and directed by Professor Muneera Batool, Assistant Professor Communication and Design, the play is a compelling exploration of human resilience and environmental challenges centered on the lived experience of women from Sindh&rsquo;s coastal villages, specifically Rehri Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi and Kharo Chan, as per a press release.

The narrative weaves in vignettes exploring the relationships between the river and the sea, a merchant and a fisherwoman, the sea and land, the sea and man and the women caught in between, and the story of a brother and sister camping by the river bed. It is through the brother and sister that the audience is invited to reflect on all these other tales and examine the relationship of the sea with the land and its forced separation from the river as man continues to prioritize capitalist interests.

Commenting on the student cast&rsquo;s performance, Kulsoom Aftab, actor, writer, director and faculty member at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), said, &ldquo;It was an honest performance by actors, filled with Muneera&rsquo;s sensitive, well crafted directorial touches&rdquo;.

Professor Batool was assisted by Habib University students Rowan Faiq, Qaima Hossain and Zainab Mohiuddin, who accompanied her in field visits to Rehri Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi and Kharo Chan, where they listened to the tales of local women and their encounters with climate change.

&ldquo;There&rsquo;s something about how one opens, when the shields go down and the person really starts sharing their stories with you, like a chasm opening. This is what I live for,&rdquo; said Professor Batool on her choice of using devised theater &ndash; a method of producing a theatrical production through research based on a hunch. In this case the hunch was: what are the stories of women in Rehri Goth as they navigate the climate crisis on a daily basis. The research for this play was supported by a Habib University internal grant.

&ldquo;Sadi Puri Hogayi [the century has come to a close],&rdquo; is what one of the interviewees at Rehri Goth said to Professor Batool and her team about an island engulfed by the sea due to climate change. She added that when you now visit this island, you can almost see the ghosts of the people who used to live here, recalls Professor Batool.

Narratives from the field were brought to the rehearsal room and put through theatrical improvisations by the student cast comprising Rihha Rehmatullah, Mustafa Jamal, Caticorn, Hana Mapara, Zehra Abbas, Areesha Akbar Haji Saleh, Masooma Rehan, Sania Motlani, Marya Khozema Darukhanawalla, Insha Mushtaq Hashmani, Rahina Shiraz Lalani, Hiba Ahmed, Semona Aamir Sattar and Haya Imtiaz.

Multimedia including design elements, sound, light and illustration, acted as supporting characters helping the cast bring the different vignettes to life.

&ldquo;It is very good for students at this level to be able to work with such sophisticated theatrical techniques,&rdquo; said Professor Gregory Thompson, theatre director and faculty at University College London (UCL).]]>
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			<title>Caretaker govt moves to review theatre rules</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2433598/caretaker-govt-moves-to-review-theatre-rules</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2433598/caretaker-govt-moves-to-review-theatre-rules#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 23 20:39:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ASGHAR SALEEMI]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2433598</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Committee formed amid action against ‘obscenity’]]>
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				<![CDATA[The provincial government has formed a seven-member committee headed by the Punjab Arts Council executive director to review the relevant laws for stopping vulgarity in theatre performances.

The committee has been asked to propose amendments within a week&nbsp; after revising the 150-year-old laws.&nbsp; Sources said two press conferences addressed by stage artistes, producers and owners had proved futile and a proposal to ban dance performances during plays in theatres was also under consideration. 

Provincial Caretaker Minister of Information and Culture Amir Mir has called for amendments to all related laws for the purpose, including the Dramatic Performance Act 1876. 

He said approval of the proposed amendments would be taken in the next meeting of the caretaker cabinet.

Section 15 of the Punjab Council of Arts Act 1975 empowers the body to frame rules and regulations. 

He said genuine artistes had supported the decisions against obscenity and the government would not be blackmailed.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court ordered the inclusion in the record of certified documents regarding the head of an organisation that had filed a petition against shutting theatres.

The court was hearing the petition of Qaiser Sanaullah, the head of an association of artistes and producers. The certified documents were submitted after the court&#39;s instructions.

The petition contended that there was no obscenity in the theatres, but clean entertainment was being provided to the citizens. 

in another development, the caretaker minister has sought the record of the expenditure incurred on the renovation of the arts academy and repair of the vehicles of the Alhamra Centre, books purchased for the library and other activities of a development committee have also been sought.&nbsp; 

The record of mobile phones and laptops purchased for officials has also been sought from the purchase committee.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Theatre artistes lament crackdown</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2432904/theatre-artistes-lament-crackdown</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2432904/theatre-artistes-lament-crackdown#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 28 Aug 23 20:38:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2432904</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA['Stage artistes have asserted that closing down theatres is not the solution to the problem']]>
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				<![CDATA[Stage artistes have asserted that closing down theatres is not the solution to the problem of obscenity and the livelihood of thousands of people dependent on the sector should be protected.

Those who promote obscenity should be dealt with appropriately, they added.

Addressing a media conference along with Punjab Artistes Association chairman Qaisar Sanaullah, theatre actors Taher Anjum, Amanat Chan, Qaiser Piya, Shahid Khan and Durdana Rahman supported strict regulations against those performing indecent dance. 

Taher Anjum said senior actors had advanced the theatre industry but some elements were tarnishing their image by resorting to indecency. 

Those who promote obscenity should be punished, but shutting down threatres is not a solution, he added.

Durdana Rahman said there used to be family dramas in theatres in the past but now they were running solely on the basis of dance.

The Punjab Arts Council has asked the DCs of Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Bhakkar, Sheikhupura and Pakpattan to take strict action against actors, producers and theatre owners involved in obscenity.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>'An Inspector Calls': Napa’s gripping take on exploitation of women in society</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2406794/an-inspector-calls-napas-gripping-take-on-exploitation-of-women-in-society</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2406794/an-inspector-calls-napas-gripping-take-on-exploitation-of-women-in-society#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 18 Mar 23 06:43:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Izma Azeem Chughtai]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2406794</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Khalid Ahmed’s adaptation of JB Presley's ‘Inspector Calls’ takes you on an introspective journey]]>
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				<![CDATA[&quot;A guilty conscience needs no accuser,&quot; a popular proverb that is attributed to the Greek philosopher Socrates, highlights the significance of self-reflection and the weight of conscience in person.

For decades, the phrase has been used to explain the discomfort and guilt one feels if they have committed a mistake. Regardless of whether or not they have been accused, every individual has the potential to self-reflect and be aware of their wrongdoings; however, it&#39;s not as easy as it&#39;s made out to be. You see, remorse is a messy game, and while most people can feel it, it still shows up when one is most vulnerable and made accountable for their actions.

National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) latest production,&nbsp;An Inspector Calls, is an Urdu adaptation of English dramatist JB Priestley&#39;s play,&nbsp;An Inspector Calls,&nbsp;explores the same guilt within a supposedly close-knit affluent family that appears kind, friendly, and warm at first, until an inspector knocks at their doorstep, exposing secrets and the selfish, self-centered side of the rich.

Also starring Nazr ulHasan, Masooma Nadir, Ashmal Lalwany (Salman), Yogeshwar Karera (Sarfaraz), Anusha Khalid (Sara) and Khalid Ahmed (Hayat Fazaldin), the murder mystery offers some hard-to-digest truths to the audience, some of which can lead you to question your own life and the times you have been jealous, hypocritical, or taken part in the exploitation of others.

The Inspector&#39;s plea

It&#39;s intriguing that a play set in 1912, shortly before the First World War, still holds a powerful warning in the contemporary world. With its ideas of social responsibility and guilt, the story encircles the life of a young, beautiful woman who commits suicide. Investigating the reason for her death, the whimsical inspector inquires each member of the family until they are compelled to confess their contribution to her demise.

Keeping the trademark of JB Presley&#39;s work, this Urdu adaptation also presents ideas in a prominent manner&mdash;leaving the spectators to evaluate their own lives and not misconstrue the entire purpose. Time and again, the inspector goes on a spree and repeats his passionate plea for a more honest and compassionate society, like a recital in front of an audience.

In a way, Nazar stole the show; with his eerie performance, but also frightening demeanour, which although felt repetitive and monotonous at times, still proved to be effective&mdash;in breaking the bubble the family lived in, and reminding them and us, that our actions will always have consequences.

An ode to Pakistani women

According to Ahmed, the director of&nbsp;An Inspector Calls, this play maintains its relevance in Pakistan because of the rising inflation, poverty, injustice, and discrimination in the country. In a conversation with&nbsp;The Express Tribune, he also pointed out the oppression faced by women in today&#39;s society and how this production aims to emphasise their troubles. &quot;This is Napa&#39;s presentation for International Women&#39;s Day,&quot; he explained.

And while watching the &quot;secrets&quot; unfold throughout the investigation, it appeared Ahmed was right. The anonymous woman, who went by many names, was revealed to be a victim of many&mdash;some who exploited her underprivileged status, others who stripped her of her rights due to their own grievances and insecurities. However, the biggest crime against her was still the lack of humanity and respect shown by the family members, who proclaimed themselves to be the epitome of morals and ethics and ironically the guardians of women&#39;s rights too.

Being the &quot;other type of woman&quot;, as Sarfaraz&#39;s character put it, Suraiya Jamil, which was her first and assumed initial name, represented all the working women in Pakistan, who live hand-to-mouth and are left isolated to survive in a violent and male-dominated world where their &quot;honour and dignity&quot; holds more privileges than them.

The play also highlights the role of power and corruption in minting the plight of the lower socio-economic class. A snobbish matriarch, Hayat&rsquo;s wife, maintains her unbothered, wonky self, puffing cigarettes and dismissing all accusations during the show. Only later, it&rsquo;s revealed that she&rsquo;s also the head of a local women&rsquo;s charity, and rejects the young woman of any help, while she is at her last breath. Her character might be the best representation of how hierarchy works in the world, where power, misuse of law, money is the&nbsp;biggest&nbsp;hurdle against justice and accountability.

Even though the play closes on an open note, the storyline&#39;s objective does not suffer. With the limelight shining on the housemaid working at Hayat&#39;s place, the director made certain that people left the theatre with a complete picture of whom the play is really for&mdash;the working class.

An ode to Zia Mohyeddin&#39;s last wish

&quot;The rehearsals for this play already commenced during the time Zia was alive. He was extremely happy about the play as it was one of his favourites,&quot; said Ahmad, while detailing the importance of holding&nbsp;An Inspector Calls&nbsp;as a tribute to Napa&#39;s late founder and president, Zia Mohyeddin who passed away on February 15 at the age of 91.

He further stressed the value of continuing theatre performances in Napa. &quot;Zia not being here today is extremely disheartening; to be under his guardianship was a great privilege. He was someone who knew the inner workings of theatres well and everyone valued his opinions. There is a void now, which will be impossible to fill again, but if there is a way to honour him, it&#39;s to show that the students at Napa, who spent the most time with him, are trying their best to uphold the mark left by him.&quot;

The show will run from&nbsp;10 to 19th March in Napa!

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Sunil Shanker's mad vision for 'Reader' is worth experiencing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2388095/sunil-shankers-mad-vision-for-reader-is-worth-experiencing-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2388095/sunil-shankers-mad-vision-for-reader-is-worth-experiencing-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Nov 22 06:42:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Simran Siraj]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Art and Books]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2388095</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA['Reader' is running at the Zia Mohyeddin Theatre at Napa till November 27]]>
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				<![CDATA[&ldquo;We were all very hesitant about giving the nod to this play but when Sunil&rsquo;s [Shanker] name came up, we gave it a green light for only he could&rsquo;ve brought this masterpiece to life,&rdquo; said actor and dancer, Bazelah Mustafa in a conversation with The Express Tribune.

Also starring theatre bigwigs Fawad Khan, Osama Tahir, Hassan Raza, Bazelah, Kulsoom Aftab, and Naveed Kamal, Napa&rsquo;s latest production, Reader, is an adaptation of Ariel Dorfman&rsquo;s play of the same name.

Like all stories, this one opens with an introduction of Fawad&rsquo;s Daniyal Siddiqui/Danish Hussain as a successful publisher who loves his son immensely and is having a not-so-secret affair with his secretary after his wife&rsquo;s death.

As you zoom into his life, you realise how it is essentially a morbid enclosure of sins, lies, and corruption &mdash; how fragile, distressed and enslaved he is by his own past, by some decisions he took to climb a ladder of success that ends up roping him into the same cycle.

The fast-paced psychological thriller is a play within a play and it begins with Danish, a censor, picking up a novel, titled &nbsp;Khof (fear), which turns out to be based on his life, revealing all that he has buried within to protect his son and himself.

The stage shifts from present-day Daniyal trickling with fear upon reading the screenplay, to Danish materialising what is in the novel essentially for the audiences.

One would think the constant back and forth between what&rsquo;s real and what&rsquo;s scripted would be confusing but the set design, exceptional performances, and the tiny details of the wardrobe and body language keep you hooked as if you are in a time capsule that malfunctioned.

Danish/Daniyal lives with only one fear; no one should find out what he did to his wife Tanya/Sonya (Kulsoom) &mdash; not his son Ibrahim/Zain (Hassan) and not his mistress Janaan/Ayeza (Bazelah).

But alas, he is not the one telling his story and there is someone who knows it all, someone who made it all happen &mdash; someone behind his regrets. Is it his curious son? Is it his secretory that he uses to fill the deep voids of his heart? Is it the disciplined maniac of a director (Osama) who believes in censoring just enough for the niche to feel they&rsquo;re liberal and the masses the opposite? Or is it just another fictional tale written by a genius Riaz Jalib that just happens to be echoing something real?

Danish/Daniyal&rsquo;s constant fury and agony coupled with his son&rsquo;s desire to know the truth about his mother unravels a mystery that eventually leads to a fourth-wall-breaking climax. The overlapping timelines submerge, and all the characters come back to the present after facing the hard truths, to face the consequences of knowing too much.

Seeing how Reader conceits the truth by changing perspectives is truly mind-blowing. It correlates prison cells and asylums to re-education centres, publishing checks to censorship of ideas and the protection of the forest to policing human thought.

Although a limited stage presence, Kulsoom&rsquo;s Tanya/Sonya shines on stage, even with all the darkness she holds, and stays within you as a ghost for days after the play. Her annoyingly shrieky cry for help fills you with a sense of loss, torture, pain and helplessness &mdash; so powerful that it makes you numb.

Osama is brilliant in his dictator avatar. He not only controls and scares the people within his play but also the audiences with not even one wanting to stand up to him and call him out on his nuisance for no one is ready to face the consequences of keeping him accountable.

As good a writer as Fawad is, he is an even better actor. His remorse, hopeless love, lust, wit, terror, and fear &mdash; almost all emotions on stage &mdash; were palpable. From careful limping to crossing all boundaries for his son, he owns the stage as his space but also is detached from it as per his character&rsquo;s requirements.

One can not talk about the play without praising the magical set that Sunil envisioned and brought to life, courtesy of Ossama Ranjha. With a script so layered, it is not easy to seamlessly shift realities and jump timelines but he brought the stage on wheels to keep the viewers on edge &mdash; literally tripping over the life and death in Fawad&rsquo;s character.

Reader makes you question the things you&rsquo;ve kept hidden, the things you justify to yourself in the name of love, the decisions, although harmful, that you once thought were the only right ones at the moment, the people around you that seem a little lost within their thoughts and most importantly, the people that have a say in your life.

Reader is running at the Zia Mohyeddin Theatre at Napa till November 27.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Leaders, artistes pay tribute to Teddy</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2387191/leaders-artistes-pay-tribute-to-teddy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2387191/leaders-artistes-pay-tribute-to-teddy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Nov 22 20:44:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ADNAN LODHI]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category><category><![CDATA[Lahore]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2387191</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Theatre performances in Punjab halted for three days]]>
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				<![CDATA[Stage actor Tariq Teddy was laid to rest in Sabzazar graveyard On Saturday in the presence of a large number of his fans and friends from the showbiz industry.

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Federal Information Minister Mariyum Aurangzaib, showbiz personalities and people from different walks of life paid rich tribute to Tariq Teddy, saying his services for the promotion of theatre would be remembered. The actor had passed away earlier in the day after remaining under treatment in a hospital for the past week due to liver and breathing problems.

The news of Tariq Teddy&rsquo;s death was received with grief by his colleagues and all stage and cultural performances in the province were halted for three days. The chief minister announced Rs3 million grant for the bereaved family.

He stated in a message that the family of the actor would be looked after as he had done his best to entertain a large number of people as a comedian and theatre artiste.

Tariq Teddy given smile to public due to his performance in stage plays and in Punjab films. He left sad 

The federal information minister prayed for the departed souls and said, &quot;Tariq Teddy had brought smiles to people through his performance in stage plays and films. He left his fans sad and his services will be remembered forever.&rdquo;

Senior state and film artiste Shiba Butt said, &ldquo;I had known and worked with Tariq Teddy for the past three decades. I deem him as the stage with a unique style. Tariq spent his whole life making the people happy and the industry will always remember his services.&rdquo;

Theatre producer Tariq Javed said, &quot;Tariq Teddy was a guarantee of success for any stage drama and he had his own audience that liked his style of Punjabi jugat and dialogues.&rdquo;

He said the late artiste was a great human in addition to his performance and he had always been ready to guide his juniors. He was cooperative with his team and producers,&rdquo; Javed added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2022.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>‘Betaali Prem Katha’ review:  A truly enchanting offering by Napa</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2372186/betaali-prem-katha-review-a-truly-enchanting-offering-by-napa</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2372186/betaali-prem-katha-review-a-truly-enchanting-offering-by-napa#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 20 Aug 22 09:28:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Simran Siraj]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2372186</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[With the play, academy alumnus Fawad Khan brought to life a timeless and rather sensual masterpiece]]>
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				<![CDATA[Tales that transgress the boundaries of time and space don&rsquo;t age even after being retold and reimagined through new techniques and forms, still passing for fables that leave a stark impression on anyone who indulges. Stories that consume you and characters that stay with you for years to come &ndash; they feed your subconscious which then struggles to let go of the magical land it has seen, and the emotions it has experienced. Such tales are similar to the ones our grandmothers held in their hearts, ones that were passed on to whoever was thirsty enough for the enigmatic quest.

With Betaali Prem Kathaa, Napa (National Academy of Performing Arts) alumnus Fawad Khan brought to life a timeless and rather sensual masterpiece that consumes you with all its emotions, magical realism and demonic adulterated twists whilst still upholding humour that bonds the audience. It offers you a world of its own, inhabited by traditional musicians and original soundtracks, kings and princesses, a Brahmin wanderer eager to infiltrate the kingdom and frankly anything outside of it too, a blood-thirsty raconteur jinn, a huge cloud of desires and lust, some unfulfilled wishes and a few wrong but curious experiments.

Adapted from a Sanskrit epic Kathasaritsagara, Khan drew inspiration from author Intizar Hussain&rsquo;s body of work. &ldquo;Unlike writers like Manto, Krishn Chander, Ismat Chughtai who wrote in a form that had its roots in the west, Intizar Hussain started looking for forms that were rooted in our culture. He wrote stories in the language of the Sufis, Gautam Buddha, Mahabharat, Quran, Kathasaritsagara, and even the way his grandmother used to tell stories. This was both a search for one&#39;s own roots as well as an attempt at decolonising our literature,&rdquo; Fawad told The Express Tribune.



Betaali Prem Katha is his attempt to follow the legendary author&rsquo;s suit and bring indigenous writing to theatre, especially hoping to create a nautanki-style musical. And without any doubt, he succeeded to bring forth a stage play that not only brought a dramatic mystical Indian tale to life but also played its part in challenging the conventions of the performing art itself.

The play begins with a dance sequence that introduces you to the natak [drama] that&rsquo;s about to unravel. Draped in cotton and silk cloths, the cast moves in coordination with Bhagat Bhoore Lal and Ahsan Bari&rsquo;s compositions and you find yourself easing into the enriching show of movement and sound amidst red and black drapes until Prem [Rahil Siddiqui], a Brahmin wanderer, takes the stage.

Curtains open and the mythical land of Roop Nagar stands there to hypnotise you with its beauty&mdash;all props to the set designer Tariq Raja for symbolically using colours to his advantage and showcasing darkness and deception through them. Standing in the spotlight is a confused Prem, who&rsquo;s now lost in his grand scheme of catching sight of the ever gorgeous Rajkumari Chandra Prabha. In a monologue of his own, Prem ends up meeting an upside-down Betaal wrapped in curtains&ndash; the devil played by Sunil Shanker.



Prem, in disbelief of Betaal&rsquo;s appearance, challenges him to narrate a tale but it comes with its conditions&mdash;the land of magic operates on ifs and buts to keep the potions working. With an evil laugh, Betaal jumps to shift positions mid-air and announces that a question would be asked at the end of the story; if Prem gives the right answer, his life would be spared, and if not, then he would smash his skull into pieces and drink his blood. Although scared, Prem takes on the challenge and goes on to live his love stor(ies)&mdash;and so do we. 

While Prem&rsquo;s constantly juggling between genders puts a smirk on your face throughout the play, the mind does dig deeper and provokes questions on sexuality, gender, souls, deception, and love. It makes you laugh, tap your feet to the beat, fall in love with the characters, break with the characters, and learn with them. Shankar&rsquo;s mesmerising multiple avatars, from the royal Maharaja to the devilish Betaal each one better than the other deserves an award for mastering the land, the air, and the ever-changing wigs.

Another character that takes the bait is Shabana Faizan&rsquo;s Premlata&mdash; Prem&rsquo;s female avatar. Her shift from a playful flirtatious woman to a passionate lover &mdash;Shabana owned the stage with grace and vileness, both the story and the character like it was her reality; like she&rsquo;s truly frustrated about her identity.

Apart from Shabana, Sunil and Rahil, all the other performers were great too but that&rsquo;s for you to watch. There are no buts about this play, it is a masterpiece through and through&ndash;one that should be experienced the way it deserves to be, the way it&#39;s curated to be.



While the world of Betaali is mythical with its supernatural powers and gendered potions, the life lessons it relays are for today. At the end of the natak of Prem&rsquo;s journey of love in Roop Nagar, an infuriated and confused Prem asks Betaal why his story felt like it had no head or tail, had no closure, and left him hanging clueless.

Jeevan katha ka natak be sar pair hee toh hota hai [The show that is life also does not make sense at times], concluded a wicked Betaal, and with that, the swinging devil disappeared into his barren tree yet again waiting for yet another story-hunter to restart the natak as life desires.

The city&rsquo;s fragile drowning state might stop you from giving this a chance, but if you decide to brave the weather, Betaali Prem Kathaa will make you laugh and love like none before only for you to walk away with a treasure that you can live with forever. Catch the remaining shows at the Zia Mohyeddin Theatre at Napa on August 20th and 21st at 4 pm and 8 pm.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>‘Saadhay 14 August’ promo reminds you of the blood, and people behind Partition</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2370547/saadhay-14-august-promo-reminds-you-of-the-blood-and-people-behind-partition</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2370547/saadhay-14-august-promo-reminds-you-of-the-blood-and-people-behind-partition#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Aug 22 10:00:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[TV]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2370547</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Directed by Dawar Mehmood and penned by Anwar Maqsood, the play premieres on Independence day]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The decade-long wait for the conclusion of Anwar Maqsood&rsquo;s Independence trilogy is nearly over! In just four days, on the eve of Independence, Saadhay 14 August, a social commentary on life on both sides of the border, will be open to the public.

In a recent promo, we hear the loud demanding voices of former prime minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill, founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and India&rsquo;s Mahatma Gandhi &ndash; the trio behind the tragedy.

Kopykats production, the banner the show is produced under, uploaded a brief promo on Monday&nbsp;that reminded people of the tragic consequences of the 1947 Partition of India. &quot;Those who were left behind are in misery. Those who were uprooted are in misery,&quot; read the caption.&nbsp;





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The clip begins with Churchill&rsquo;s echoing voice, &ldquo;Members of the constituent assembly, I&rsquo;ve a message, in accordance to the king, to deliver to you&nbsp;today.&rdquo; As soon as each dialogue is over, a huge drop of blood drops on the screen.

&ldquo;We want the division of Hindustan into India and Pakistan because that is the only practical solution,&quot; says Jinnah. Featuring a smiling Gandhi&rsquo;s landmark statue, a voice imitating him says, &ldquo;I regard myself as a soldier, though a soldier of peace. It is complete independence that we want.&rdquo;

As we see the long, now amalgamated, stream of blood going through mountains and fields, we hear loud screams of people in pain, bits of speeches by political heroes motivating their lot, and a gibberish chaos that took over the social state of the country.

&ldquo;Hindu India and Muslim India must be separated,&rdquo; says a voice as the divided map is shown on screen&mdash; glowing with the imminent light of fire and smoke from the bomb blasts and animalistic nature of the partition war.

Saadhay 14 August, written by Maqsood, and directed by Dawar Mehmood, will premiere on 14 August 2022, at Arts Council, Karachi. Get ready for a stroll through disputed Kashmir, Pakistan&rsquo;s Lahore, India&rsquo;s Delhi and London with the two founders who vouched for peace and freedom&mdash;all in a musical format.]]>
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			<title>‘Romeo and Juliet’: Zia Mohyeddin’s adaptation of Shakespearean play is reminder of timeless tragedy</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2363271/romeo-and-juliet-zia-mohyeddins-adaptation-of-shakespearean-play-is-reminder-of-timeless-tragedy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2363271/romeo-and-juliet-zia-mohyeddins-adaptation-of-shakespearean-play-is-reminder-of-timeless-tragedy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jun 22 09:22:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Simran Siraj]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Art and Books]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2363271</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[An Urdu translation of the play saw a houseful of people longing to see a love so strong fail in front of them]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[I was 14 when I first read Shakespeare&rsquo;s &ldquo;most romantic&rdquo; play. It was a simplified version in a school textbook that I read in advance, out of curiosity, to take in the most sacred form of love everyone would talk about around me. Even though I didn&#39;t understand it to the fullest, it made me feel butterflies and heartache &ndash; to the extent one can at that age.

After reading it many a times and watching movies inspired by the classical play, I watched it for the first time at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) on Thursday evening. While I&rsquo;ve grown out of certain exaggerated teenage emotions in the past years, it&rsquo;s safe to say that every person in the auditorium, including me, related the experience in front of them to a love &ndash; no matter how mature &ndash; of their own that didn&rsquo;t live enough to see the light of the day again.

Such is the case with a timeless tragedy like Romeo and Juliet and the Zia Mohyeddin directorial was a reminder that such tales repeat themselves like clockwork in every age and time. It stays relevant and continues to leave a mark on people regardless of how far we&rsquo;ve come in terms of spaces and progress.

And that is why, a tale told a million times in a million different ways, still held a houseful on almost all days of its run time in a country where theatre is seldom given the same attention. In fact, hungry to witness a love unmatched, the public demand convinced the institution to set an extra matinee show on Sunday afternoon before closing the show.

The stage play began with the loud voices of swords clashing against each other. Introducing longtime enemies, Montagues and Capulets, the play went on to show its light &ndash; Romeo (Ali Sher). After successfully establishing the young hero&rsquo;s playboy avatar, it showcased how every bone of his existence wishes to remain neutral about the feudal clash between his family and the Capulets.

Talking about peace and love, the carefree boy along with his friends goes on to an enemy party where he fraternises with the enemy&rsquo;s daughter, Juliet (Noureen Gulwani) and decides for her to be the love of her life. All things forgotten then, the night becomes the longest profession of love with the infamous balcony scene in place.

The said scene is a particularly hard one to reenact given the heavy humorous wordplay in Shakespeare&rsquo;s original script and yet, Gulwani and Sher under the direction of Mohyeddin managed to master the dramatic feel it warrants. The dialogues were a perfect blend of cheesy and romantic to lure in the audience. Whenever Sher went flat with his stiff body language and a monotonous tone, Juliet&rsquo;s cry for love balanced the scene.

The play then quickly picks up pace with their love being secretly notarised to Juliet&rsquo;s brother&rsquo;s demise by the hands of her new husband. Romeo becomes an expatriate and Juliet goes to Friar to help her from a second marriage being planned by her family.



Then comes a trap of deceptions, misunderstandings and betrayals that leads to a graveyard with three bodies where none was intended in the first place.

The particular scene where Juliet begs her dad to not marry her off with Count Paris and in turn gets an ultimatum of being abandoned if not marriage by his choice garnered a lot of laughs from the audience. One reason for that could be the striking resemblance of Juliet&rsquo;s dad&rsquo;s behaviour with that of all desi parents who&rsquo;d rather forcefully wed their kids to rich families or abandon them altogether rather than listen to what their children desire.

It was amusing how some serious scenes made the audiences laugh; it also signifies that the actor or the setup couldn&rsquo;t bring out the emotion originally intended but maybe that&rsquo;s just the trail of mergers with translations.



However, while the dialogues were perfect, if Sher and Gulwani had some actual chemistry to show, that would&rsquo;ve taken the play to a next level. Moving on to performances that actually deserved a loud elongated applause; Fawad Khan&rsquo;s Mercutio tops the list. Juliet&rsquo;s nanny (Bakhtawar Mazhar), and Friar Lawrence (Samhan Ghazi) come next with their stellar expressions and dialogue delivery.



The Urdu translation of the play was an added bonus. &ldquo;One reason for doing this play was because even the most illiterate person in this country knows of Romeo and Juliet,&rdquo; echoed Mohyeddin&rsquo;s powerful voice in a promo uploaded on the art school&rsquo;s social media during promotions. It&rsquo;s true. Even though we have our regional versions of such lamentable tragedies, Romeo and Juliet ofcourse holds a legendary status in the world of literature, and even amongst people who know nothing of literature.

Translating it in a language spoken by masses here only bridged the gap and allowed a more mainstream audience to drown in a pool of glory sprayed with a dust of misery. There&rsquo;s a certain indescribable charm in listening to a dramatic tragedy in your native language. There&rsquo;s more to feel, you could almost hear the combined vision of Khalid Ahmed and Mohyeddin in the performance, echoing the years of literary experience and the deep understanding of human connection.



The play does not just resonate with people because of the sacrificial bond between two lovers separated by a generational long divide. It is because the story itself is an institution that embodies and mirrors a society that refuses to change despite celebrating and romanticising the story.

It&rsquo;s because they know that when they step out of the auditorium, they&rsquo;ll return to living their own versions of Capulets and Montagues, and Romeos and Juliets finding their Friar Laurence and kings hoping to mend their sectarian, tribal and other differences.]]>
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			<title>Soliloquy, not a monologue: Zia Mohyeddin talks about regrets, hopes and his love for Faiz</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2357629/soliloquy-not-a-monologue-zia-mohyeddin-talks-about-regrets-hopes-and-his-love-for-faiz</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2357629/soliloquy-not-a-monologue-zia-mohyeddin-talks-about-regrets-hopes-and-his-love-for-faiz#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 21 May 22 05:36:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Simran Siraj]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Spotlight]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2357629</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Umar Riaz's documentary film 'Some Lover to Some Beloved' was screened at NAPA on Thursday evening]]>
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				<![CDATA[It was a houseful. People sitting on the floor, stairs, and even the light room&mdash;Thursday evening saw a room full of enthusiasts and literature lovers gather at the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) to watch Umar Riaz&rsquo;s documentary Some Lover to Some Beloved; a feature-length film exploring the lives of an actor, Zia Mohyeddin, a poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and a scholar, Daud Rahbar and how their shared love for a language tied them together.&nbsp;

With Urdu as the beloved, they became lovers like never before. The film leaves you with an incredible aftertaste; you walk out thinking what it means to love, to be loved, and the search for it that ties us all together&ndash; revolving around the lives of three great minds and their literary affair with one another.&nbsp;

Ocean waves appear on a large screen paired with an instrumental that simultaneously soothes you and builds urgency on what&rsquo;s to come. The narrator introduces ghazal as a product of the &ldquo;rare&rdquo; deeply romantic nature of South Asians and especially those that have experienced the multi-faceted beauty of Urdu language.&nbsp;

And with that captivating introduction, the screen shifts to the master thespian, actor Mohyeddin. The film walks you through his journey to The Zia Mohyeddin Show and the realms of Pakistani and American television and film. It hints at his personal relationships with all his three wives, and shows glimpses of his professional life as a teacher at the academy.&nbsp;



Photo: Murtaza Kaiser, NAPA Karachi

Divided in three parts, it takes its time to unfold each of their lives in the most nuanced ways possible. Whether we talk about loneliness, longing, grief, despair, happiness&ndash; every emotion is backed with verses of poetry straight from the treasure Faiz left us with. You cannot, for even a minute, take your eyes off the screen. It&rsquo;s captivating, emotional and in many ways, relatable.&nbsp;

Home

When asked to describe himself, the 90-year-old actor shares, &ldquo;I am a man of details, particularities if you may call it. At times I wonder who I am. I am a bundle of contradictions and confusions.&rdquo; He goes on to say, &ldquo;I was unlike most family men. I didn&rsquo;t give much time at home. I&rsquo;m not close to my children. They&rsquo;re not close to me. In a sense, I&rsquo;m a loner.&rdquo; Thinking of traditions and values, he added, &ldquo;When I look back, some of my values are still the ones inherited from my father that are engraved in me. And yet it&#39;s not me.&rdquo;&nbsp;

When describing a home, he pauses and adds, &ldquo;At random times of the day, I&rsquo;d walk in the theatre and if it&#39;s empty, that&rsquo;s where I really, really feel at home&ndash;provided that no one else is there. I really feel at home there. I imagine these characters I&rsquo;ve played, characters I could play, characters I wish to play and I know I never will and that&rsquo;s enough. It&rsquo;s strangely intoxicating.&rdquo;&nbsp;



Photo: Mira Sethi/Instagram

The documentary itself is so engaging in a way that it shows Mohyeddin watching interviews of his former wives as well as Faiz&rsquo;s daughters, but it is his reactions and expressions that say more than words ever could.&nbsp;

All three of his wives lament his perfectionism. &ldquo;Zia truly works like a machine. He never wore a watch but wanted everything in his day to be on time. Even seconds were crucial for that man. This one time, Monis [their son] saw a stray straw on the carpet. He picked it up and went to the bin, looked at his father, smiled and put it in the bin. Imagine the idiosyncrasies he has for it to be evident in a one-year-old.&rdquo;&nbsp;



Photo: Murtaza Kaiser, NAPA Karachi

The machine was unfolded and broken down into his many flawed human parts that evening. &ldquo;As a person, I was never good at coping with situations which, as an actor, I could.&rdquo;&nbsp;

chalo phir se muskurāyen

chalo phir se dil jalāyen&nbsp;

With the glimpse of Mohyeddin sahab reading the first verse, the scene shifts to his face watching the same interview with his face in his hands, wiping away the tears that don&#39;t seem to stop.&nbsp;

Soulmate&nbsp;

&ldquo;Every creative person craves for a beloved they cannot achieve,&rdquo; echoes Mohyeddin&rsquo;s arresting voice. According to his ex-wife, Sarwar Zemani, Daud Rahbar became his soulmate. Mohyeddin shared that he used to refer to Rahbar as his Guru Dev but Rahbar insisted on eliminating the formality, the difference. &ldquo;He told me &lsquo;If you think of me as a guru then our friendship will go stale.&rsquo;&rdquo;&nbsp;

Rahbar was a Pakistani scholar of comparative religions, Arabic, Persian, Urdu literature and Indian classical music. &ldquo;I learned a great deal about language from him. However, I disagreed with him on one thing. He believed that real intimacy comes with one&rsquo;s native language. I don&rsquo;t agree with that.&rdquo; Talking about Rahbar&rsquo;s last days, a very distraught Mohyeddin says, &ldquo;I owe him such a lot. Afsos ki baat yeh hai ke he died in agony. A lot of doors have closed for me since then.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Regrets&nbsp;

Mohyeddin holds a reading every New Year&#39;s night at the Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore. He has dedicated nights specifically to honour Faiz and has repeatedly revisited his works during those readings. Why, you may ask? &ldquo;Ishq ho gaya tha zubaan se. I regret that I couldn&rsquo;t do this in his presence.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Another regret that he holds is how far away today&rsquo;s generation is from their language. &ldquo;They don&rsquo;t know the correct way to read poetry. The dramatic reading is the height of badmizagi,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Nowadays, if they come close to the language, it&#39;s when they visit it like an exotic animal trapped in a zoo. They never take it home with them.&rdquo;&nbsp;

The year is 2013 and the film nears its end with Mohyeddin taking to the roads in Lahore to spot the Zia Mansion, Faiz&rsquo;s kothi and Daud&rsquo;s house. Looking at the changed landscape of the city, his face echoes disappointment and regret. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m ashamed to see it in this way. There used to be fourteen jamun trees right here. They&rsquo;ve cut them, only three or four are here,&rdquo; he tells of Daud&rsquo;s residence.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Do you want to know what I regret? This [trip down the memory lane),&rdquo; concludes a teary eyed Mohyeddin.&nbsp;

Applause

Amidst a loud standing applause, a man, dressed elegantly in a beige suit with a pop of red in the pocket, gracefully walked to the centre of the stage exuding an infectious smile that held way too many emotions. At a loss of words, Mohyeddin concluded, &ldquo;I watched this film for the first time here and as always, I&#39;m ashamed.&rdquo;&nbsp;



Photo: Murtaza Kaiser, NAPA Karachi

Riaz, the grandnephew of Mohyeddin, created this beautifully heavy film in seven long years. It was scheduled to screen in cinemas a week before the pandemic hit. After several efforts of screening this film, last night was a rewarding experience for Riaz&ndash; one that he craves for to happen more.&nbsp;

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>'The Kite Runner' is getting a Broadway adaptation starring Pakistani-American actor Faran Tahir</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2350262/the-kite-runner-is-getting-a-broadway-adaptation-starring-pakistani-american-actor-faran-tahir</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2350262/the-kite-runner-is-getting-a-broadway-adaptation-starring-pakistani-american-actor-faran-tahir#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 22 08:03:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2350262</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The 'Iron Man' fame actor has also portrayed Farid Rashad in political drama 'Scandal' by Shonda Rhimes.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini&#39;s critically acclaimed novel The Kite Runner (2003) is getting a Broadway adaptation with Pakistani-American actor Faran Tahir roped in to play Baba, the father of the protagonist, Amir, who will be essayed by The Blacklist actor, Amir Arison. The play is due to run in Broadway&rsquo;s Hayes Theatre this summer, producers announced Monday, Broadway News reported. Both Faran and Amir will make their Broadway debuts with the production.

Faran is widely known for his role in Marvel&#39;s Iron Man (2008) as the villainous Raza. Born in Los Angeles, California, Faran has acted in several other Hollywood flicks such as Star Trek (2009), Elysium (2013) and Escape Plan (2013). He also portrayed Farid Rashad in season seven of the Scandal. Popular actor Zara Tareen, who&rsquo;s also Faran&rsquo;s wife, shared the cast announcement on her Instagram in celebration of Faran making it to the list.





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A post shared by Zara Tareen (@ztareen)




&quot;To say that I am proud of you is an understatement. I always wished I&rsquo;d seen you on stage doing your Othello or your Richard III but my wish has come true [in an] even better [way],&rdquo; she wrote. &ldquo;I get to see you on the most prestigious stage on earth, Broadway. In my heart, you&rsquo;ve always belonged here, it was just a matter of time. I&rsquo;m so excited for you and cannot wait to watch you experience this beautiful journey,&rdquo; concluded Zara.

Directed by Giles Croft, The Kite Runner is due to begin performances on July 6. The play, which is the first to run this 2022-2023 Broadway season, has been produced by Victoria Lang, Ryan Bogner and Tracey McFarland of Broadway &amp; Beyond Theatricals.

The cast also includes Demosthenes Chrysan, Danish Farooqui, Azita Ghanizada, Joe Joseph, Dea Julien, Dariush Kashani, Beejan Land, Amir Malaklou, Christine Mirzayan, Haris Pervaiz, Alex Purcell, Eric Sirakian, Houshang Touzie and Evan Zes. Salar Nader, a percussive instrumentalist, will provide music for the play on the tabla.

The Kite Runner became a bestseller after being printed in paperback and was popularised in book clubs. It appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for over two years, with over seven million copies sold in the United States. Reviews were generally positive, though parts of the plot drew significant controversy in Afghanistan. A number of adaptations have been created since its publication, including a 2007 film of the same name.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Commercial theatre will be banned at Alhamra Art Centre</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2330308/commercial-theatre-will-be-banned-at-alhamra-art-centre</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2330308/commercial-theatre-will-be-banned-at-alhamra-art-centre#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 20 Nov 21 09:58:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2330308</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Due to vulgar and unethical content, Lahore Arts Council will discontinue commercial theatre soon]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Punjab Information and Culture Department (PICD) has decided to ban all commercial theatres and related activities that have been running on the premises of Lahore Arts Council (LAC) and Alhamra halls for many years now. Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall and the Alhamra Cultural Complex have been hosting and providing the space to hold meaningful performances adding to the minuscule entertainment industry.

Commercial theatre has been in hot water for quite some time, with several notifications and complaints issued in the past on its unethical and vulgar content. According to PICD, to cater to public concerns and government policies, they had issued several warnings to artists and producers to avoid the closure of commercial theatres altogether. However, they allegedly did not follow through with the instructions and continued to create content that held undertones of vulgarity.

Initially, Alhamra Halls&rsquo; &ndash; which come under the jurisdiction of LAC &ndash; primary purpose was to conduct literary and cultural activities. However, commercial theatres were introduced to generate funds to maintain their affairs when the place faced financial issues. Apparently, that did not work out as planned. Sources mentioned that LAC then became known as a place promoting vulgarity and other routine cultural and literary activities were almost ended due to low participation.

PICD Secretary Raja Jahangir, took serious notice of producers, writers and artists of select unethical and vulgar performances. &ldquo;Our plan is to promote good and ethical entertainment activities at Alhamra and hence, our department is in contact with NGOs and parallel theatre producers and universities,&rdquo; he commented on the decision of the ban. &ldquo;Our collaborations will bring such institutions to start performances at halls of Alhamra in future. Our institution comes under a government department and to attend to its rules, we cannot provide platforms to display vulgarity,&rdquo; he added.

&ldquo;Hence, it is our plan to close the commercial theatre at Alhamra Halls,&rdquo; concluded Jahangir.

According to sources at the department, an official notification is yet to release regarding the closure of commercial theatres by Alhamra Halls and till then, all theatre activities are functional and running. However, they&rsquo;ve been told that only commercial theatre and related activities will be banned soon. The decision will be finalised in the upcoming BOG meeting of Lahore Arts Council authorities.

On the contrary, it was also revealed that some officials show a keen interest in the continuation of commercial theatre performances and are equally responsible for this incident. &ldquo;They are to be transferred in the coming days and director Saman Roy will be appointed as the permanent Executive Director to streamline affairs at Alhamra Arts Council,&rdquo; said a senior official of PICD.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.&nbsp;
&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>My father, Umer Sharif, turned down US citizenship calling Pakistani passport strongest: Jawad Umer</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2325349/my-father-umer-sharif-turned-down-us-citizenship-calling-pakistani-passport-strongest-jawad-umer</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2325349/my-father-umer-sharif-turned-down-us-citizenship-calling-pakistani-passport-strongest-jawad-umer#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 18 Oct 21 08:55:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correpondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2325349</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Arts council Karachi held a condolence reference in honour of Sharif following his demise.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Arts Council of Pakistan on Saturday held a condolence reference in honour of the late Umer Sharif, who passed away on October 2. It saw friends, colleagues, admirers and members of his family gathered to commemorate his efforts and reminisce the time spent with him, stated a press release.

Welcoming the guests on the occasion, Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmad Shah said, &quot;I am grateful that there are so many Umer-loving people here. He was a great artist. The Arts Council is his home. I was friends with him for 40 years. The election didn&rsquo;t affect our friendship either.&rdquo;

Shah went on to note, &ldquo;Umer Sharif gained the kind of fame with theatre that artists can only imagine gaining through TV or film. The value of his art was transcendent. He wasn&rsquo;t old enough to go.&rdquo;



A documentary on Sharif&rsquo;s life was also screened at the event. It saw Indian actors Raza Murad, Anupam Kher, Akshay Kumar, Raju Shervasto, Dalir Mehdi, Reema Khan and Zeba Ali speak in great depth about their experience of either working with or getting to know Sharif.

Sharif&#39;s son, Jawad Omar also spoke at the event. &ldquo;My father was a great man. Wherever he went abroad, he added to the respect of the Pakistani flag. He turned down US citizenship, saying &lsquo;Pakistan&#39;s passport is the strongest&rsquo;,&rdquo; recalled Jawad. &ldquo;He put smiles on people&#39;s faces all his life and was at the forefront of welfare work. Now, we have to fulfill his dream of building a hospital,&rdquo; he urged.

A corner of the council was also dedicated to the legend&rsquo;s memories, garlanded by his pictures, cassettes, and posters. Now, the Arts Council is set to hold a theater festival in his honour.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Nayla Jaffri signified grace and strength on and off screen</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2311261/nayla-jaffri-signified-grace-and-strength-on-and-off-screen</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2311261/nayla-jaffri-signified-grace-and-strength-on-and-off-screen#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 18 Jul 21 09:04:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2311261</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Veteran actor set the bar high with her staunch display of character on television, stage and in real life]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Veteran actor Nayla Jaffri succumbed to ovarian cancer on Saturday evening after battling the disease for six years, president Arts Council Ahmed Shah confirmed to The Express Tribune.

But before being diagnosed with the illness in 2016, Jaffri was a regular face on television, known for her stellar performances in drama serials like Aa Mujh ko Satana, Desi Girls and Thodi Si Khushiyan. She was a mother figure on and off-air, with her grace and strength making&nbsp;her popular among veterans and youngsters of the entertainment industry.

Jaffri&rsquo;s dialogue delivery reflected her calm and collected demeanor but her soft-spoken and composed-self could never be mistaken for weakness. She played various characters among which, many were more of the same, courtesy of typecasting and not sub-par acting. This is evident by the brilliance with which she portrayed them.

She spent more than twenty years in the entertainment business after commencing her career as a voice entertainer for TV series Drama Hee Drama in 1998. Making her onscreen debut with An Insane Laugh Aka Mehak in 2004, she went on to play&nbsp;Ayesha in I&rsquo;m Locked and in 2009, she nabbed the miniseries Noorpur Ki Rani, which opened many doors for her.

She then featured in Zeenat Bint-e-Sakina Hazir Ho (2010), Don&rsquo;t Jealous (2010), Lamha Lamha Zindagi (2011), Sanjha (2011), Aks (2012), Woh (2013), Ek Kasak Reh Gayi (2013), Mausam (2014), Woh Dobara (2014), Khata (2014), Nazdikiyaan (2014), Anaya Tumhari Hui (2015), Tere Dar Per (2015), Jaltay Gulab (2015), Tera Mera Rishta (2015), Baray Dhoke Hain Iss Raah Mein (2016), Ghalti (2016) and Khushboo Ka Safar (2016).

Aside from seizing&nbsp;numerous television gigs, Jaffri also shared the stage with veteran actor Rahat Kazmi under the direction of Zia Moheyyedin back in 2012. Performing in two plays, Jaffri and Kazmi provided two hours of wholesome entertainment. In one of the plays, Jaffri portrayed a beautiful 55-year-old woman who has accepted that life is too short and needs to be celebrated. She seemed to be ageing in reverse at the time.

But despite her exemplary work on and for TV and theatre, Jaffri doesn&rsquo;t have a Wikipedia memoir. She does, however, have a huge fan following, much of which is mourning her demise since yesterday. The months before her passing also showcased her astounding threshold for pain, as she chose to fight for her fellow actors while battling cancer.

After a video of Jaffri from a hospital bed went viral in April, social media was abuzz with the hashtag #payartistsroyalties. Her adamancy to bring change despite having little to benefit from it inspired many actors and gave them the courage to demand royalties for the reruns of their work.

Her request propelled PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan to shed light on the same and take action.&nbsp;Khan revealed that he is in the process of building a framework with the stakeholders, to come up with a bill that will ensure artists are paid their due royalties. In response to his announcement, Jaffri had told The Express Tribune, &ldquo;The bill must ensure that actors from all walks of life are paid royalties for every time their work is rerun. And it must not only be the responsibility of the state-run channel to do so. I don&rsquo;t know whether this bill will help solve everyone&rsquo;s problems but I know I&rsquo;ve hit a very sensitive nerve, and the more forums raise their voice, the quicker the issue can be resolved.&quot;

Now, because of the magnitude of her work,&nbsp;resilience and her contributions to television, Jaffri is being missed and mourned across Pakistan by public figures and fans.





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A post shared by Yasir Hussain (@yasir.hussain131)














Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji&#39;un.
Rest in peace, Naila Jaffri ji.
&mdash; Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) July 17, 2021




Rest in peace Nayla Jaffri. https://t.co/n8Pjw3Mub4
&mdash; Sheheryar Munawar (@ItsSheheryar) July 18, 2021




Another heartbreaking loss&hellip;#NailaJafri, you fought with spirited courage. We would always remember not just your work but also how you became our voice for royalty. Even in your last days, you did not forget to help others. pic.twitter.com/S05oY0Y6BV
&mdash; Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) July 17, 2021




&hearts;️ https://t.co/E6RX80BHuY
&mdash; Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) July 17, 2021




Extremely saddened to hear the news of the passing of #nailajaffery apa. She was a force to be reckoned with, strong and positive in the face of a terrible illness.
May Allah rest her soul in peace. pic.twitter.com/skj5UA4u8a
&mdash; Mansha Pasha (@manshapasha) July 17, 2021




Will miss you #NailaJaffery 😔
&mdash; NADIA HUSSAIN (@NADIAHUSSAIN_NH) July 17, 2021




Extremely sad news of #NailaJaffery apa passing away. May Allah grant her eternal abode in Jannah. Ameen. You will be missed.
&mdash; Ali Rehman Khan (@alirehmankhan) July 17, 2021




Had never met #NailaJaffery, but had watched her dramas. Great actress. But once was told a story about her - it stuck with me. Someone who knew her was distraught by her actions; she would give too much to charity constantly - so much that sometimes she had little for herself. pic.twitter.com/mr832ymCye
&mdash; Fasi Zaka (@fasi_zaka) July 17, 2021




May Naila Jafri Jee&rsquo;s pain not to go in vain. Verily all comes from Him and to Him all must return. #NailaJaffery #RoyaltiesforArtists
&mdash; Omair Rana (@omairana) July 17, 2021






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A post shared by Hina Khwaja Bayat (@hinakhwajabayatofficial)








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A post shared by Mishi Khan &hearts;️&hearts;️ (@mishikhanofficial)




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			<title>PNCA chief Fouzia Saeed critically injured in car accident</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2308887/pnca-chief-fouzia-saeed-critically-injured-in-car-accident</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2308887/pnca-chief-fouzia-saeed-critically-injured-in-car-accident#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 05 Jul 21 07:41:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2308887</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Dr Saeed was touring Balochistan where she met with the unfortunate incident near Panjgur]]>
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				<![CDATA[Fouzia Saeed, Director General Pakistan National Council of the Arts, met with an accident on Sunday, the official account of PCNA confirmed on Twitter. According to the initial reports, Dr Saeed was touring Balochistan where she met with the unfortunate incident near Panjgur. She has now been shifted to Quetta for her treatment. Her condition remains critical.



Dear all,
DG PNCA Dr. Fouzia Saeed met an accident during her tour of Balochistan. She has been transferred to a hospital in Quetta where she is currently recovering. Kindly pray for her speedy recovery.
&mdash; PNCA (@PNCAOfficial) July 5, 2021


Soon after the news of her accident made rounds on social media. Many took to Twitter and prayed for her swift recovery.



This is so, so disturbing..praying for our dear @FouziaSaeed may she recover fast and fully https://t.co/LA6jiBLxfz
&mdash; Alina Shigri (@alinashigri) July 5, 2021




There&rsquo;s a very devastating news that D.G PNCA Dr. Fouzia Saeed has met an accident on the Panjgur National Highway. She&rsquo;s is currently unconscious and being brought to Quetta. Please pray for her health and a speedy recovery. #Quetta #fouziasaeed pic.twitter.com/RQ0zR3OwHE
&mdash; Umar Sheikh (@umarmarve) July 4, 2021




Prayers for @FouziaSaeed
&mdash; afia salam (@afiasalam) July 5, 2021




Our dear friend Dr. @FouziaSaeed currently heading PNCA had an accident near Panjgur. She is being brought to Quetta for treatment. Need prayers for her health.
@jam_kamal @Shafqat_Mahmood
&mdash; Owais Tohid (@OwaisTohid) July 4, 2021




What a terrible news, prayers for her health and life. Dr Fouzia Saeed is one of the most prominent women to work on workplace harassment laws in Pakistan for decades - day in day out.

Her book &lsquo;Working with Sharks&rsquo; is an eye-opener. https://t.co/KcWZckfRkS
&mdash; Farhat Javed/BBC (@FarhatJRabani) July 5, 2021




Oh God , may she get well soon.
&mdash; Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) July 4, 2021




I just heard about our mentor, friend dr @FouziaSaeed&rsquo;s car accident. I pray she recovers soon. Its a very terrible news.

Heart is so heavy &amp; eyes wet : (
&mdash; Saif Samejo (@SaifSamejo) July 5, 2021




Totally shattered to hear about accident of @FouziaSaeed, she is Wonder Woman , and I really hope she wins her battle of life too. Prayers requested. pic.twitter.com/EHMGIMERZ8
&mdash; Sana A khoja (@khoja_a) July 5, 2021


Dr Saeed, who took over PCNA last year, is well known in the culture sector of the country, particularly from the time she spent at the helm of the National Heritage Museum &ndash; Lok Virsa in the federal capital.

During her three-year tenure there, she took the institution to new heights, regularly holding events at the museum and giving a boost to the traditional and diverse folk culture of the country by hosting the annual Lok Mela and the National Language Festivals.

Dr Saeed has been working on women issues for decades, the outcome of which are her two books, &ldquo;Taboo&rdquo; and &ldquo;Working with sharks&rdquo;.

She was also head of the Folklore Society of Pakistan where she played a prominent role as a civil society member. Her book &ldquo;Folk Heritage of Pakistan&rdquo; is the only book of its kind, whereas the book &ldquo;Forgotten Faces&rdquo; is about women of folk theatre is a rare book on the subject in the English Language.]]>
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			<title>Theatre goes another year without reprieve</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2299993/theatre-goes-another-year-without-reprieve</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2299993/theatre-goes-another-year-without-reprieve#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 15 May 21 20:21:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Zulfiqar Baig]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2299993</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Stages empty and balconies vacant, performers struggle to make ends meet]]>
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				<![CDATA[As the country crosses another year in pandemic with theatres and auditoriums still closed under coronavirus restrictions, those associated with the industry have been left feeling stranded on a sinking ship.

Local performance artists, musicians, producers and playwrights have gone without work for the past several months; many with exhausted savings, now struggling to make ends meet.

Moral-based dramas performed at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) and the Punjab Arts Council, in addition to commercial theatre dramas produced and performed at various private halls, have long been a source of affordable entertainment to the public.

Moreover, many prominent film and television actors also trace their humble beginnings to the same theatre stages, where they polished their craft for years before going on to conquer the silver screen. Yet however, as stages remain empty and theatre balconies stand vacant amid the pandemic&rsquo;s threat, performers of today have been left to without aid and whirlwind of troubles and anxieties to face.

Although the federal government and the Punjab government both had set certain welfare funds for struggling artists, many in the industry claim that the relief cheques were only handed out to the governments&rsquo; favourites. 

&ldquo;The rest, who failed land in the good books of the government, we left to fend for themselves,&rdquo; opined a young performer, on conditions of anonymity.

Addressing the matter, a former Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) senior producer, who preferred staying anonymous, maintained that Pakistani artists have been endeavoring for decades to promote the country on national and international levels. &ldquo;They are the identity of our country. But sadly, we have now started promoting Turkish artists, while abandoning our own. If we continue doing so, it will be the death of our culture and there will be nothing left to save,&rdquo; he forewarned.

Speaking to The Express Tribune in the regard, renowned theatre producers Shehzad Iftikhar and Rasheed Ali, were keen to point out the inequalities faced by the theatre sector in wake of Covid-19. &ldquo;While there have been strict SOPs for commercial theatre for the past 15 months, citing risk of viral spread, but people are still allowed to travel together in trains, buses and planes. Various meetings and processions have also been organised during the same period, but artists are somehow painted as the sole cause of the pandemic&rsquo;s spread,&rdquo; commented Iftikhar. &ldquo;In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, dramas are officially performed in two cinema halls and in total three. The government should formulate a comprehensive policy to allow these establishments to operate, before the entire sector collapses,&rdquo; added Ali.

Reiterating the sentiment, local stage actor Masood Khawaja Hameed also maintained that the theatre industry is a sector in perils of collapse. &ldquo;If we do not take steps to safeguard the industry in due time, the entire sector will not even survive to see the sun of 2023. If theatres close, thousands of artists will lose not just work but also an outlet for their passion, and many will lose their will to live,&rdquo; he told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2021.]]>
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			<title>Broadway to light up again in September</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2298595/broadway-to-light-up-again-in-september</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2298595/broadway-to-light-up-again-in-september#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 06 May 21 06:08:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2298595</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[“We are thrilled that the curtains will rise again,&quot; New York governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Live Broadway shows will return to the stage starting Sept. 14 after an 18-month hiatus to fight the coronavirus pandemic, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday. Tickets will go on sale beginning on Thursday and theaters will be allowed to fill 100% of capacity, Cuomo said. Broadway theaters are among New York&#39;s biggest tourist attractions.

&quot;Broadway is a major part of our state&#39;s identity and economy, and we are thrilled that the curtains will rise again,&quot; Cuomo said on Twitter.

Live theater is one of the last sectors to come back after the pandemic because of the challenges of social distancing for actors on stage, for crews backstage and for audiences in cramped seating in old buildings.

While New York plans to lift most pandemic restrictions in two weeks, Broadway theaters need more time for rehearsals, marketing to draw crowds and other steps.

&quot;Restarting Broadway is a complex endeavor,&quot; said Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, an industry group. &quot;Today&#39;s green light by the governor to put our shows on sale now for the fall is vital to our success.&quot;

Producers will work with state authorities on what safety measures will be required. It is possible theaters will mandate proof of a coronavirus vaccination for audience members, New York budget director Robert Mujica said.

&quot;Will people feel comfortable sitting right next to another individual without knowing their vaccination status?&quot; Mujica said at a news conference. &quot;What we do know from surveys is that the answer is no.&quot;

Thousands of actors, dancers, musicians and backstage crew were thrown out of work when Broadway theaters closed in March 2020. Some shows, including the hit musicals Frozen and Mean Girls, have said they will not return.

Thirty-one Broadway shows were in production when the shutdown began, including hits such as Hamilton, The Lion King and Wicked.

Each returning show will announce its re-opening date in the coming weeks, the Broadway League said.

More than 14.8 million tickets were sold for Broadway shows in the 2018-2019 season, bringing $1.8 billion in box office receipts, according to the Broadway League. Some 63% of those going to shows were tourists, from outside the United States or outside New York.

&quot;It&#39;s time to get back to work, and I can&#39;t wait to be back on stage very soon,&quot; said Sara Bareilles, songwriter and star of the musical Waitress.]]>
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			<title>Tribune Take: Digital by force, not by choice</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2278294/tribune-take-digital-by-force-not-by-choice</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2278294/tribune-take-digital-by-force-not-by-choice#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jan 21 18:06:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Asfa Sultan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[TV]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2278294</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[It took a pandemic for Pakistan's entertainment industry to recognise the power of OTT]]>
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				<![CDATA[2020 was the year of leaps of faith. Not just in trying to walk to your local grocery store but also in making risky business decisions; particularly in the creative industries. According to Forrester, Netflix, Amazon and Hotstar spent nearly $520 million this year ($100 million more than in 2019) on creating content for Indian audiences. Netflix invested about $400 million to license and create more than 50 films and shows in India over the past two years. But as OTT giants invested billions of rupees in our neighbouring country, our cinema-dependent and television-oriented entertainment industry stood confused, letting its daily wagers and revenue suffer.

Film-makers were hit with the realisation that they either required a Pakistani streaming service or content that meets international demands so it can be streamed elsewhere. As for producing OTT originals, film-maker, and host Rafay Rashdi, whose talk show made it to Amazon Prime this year, told The Express Tribune, &ldquo;In order to make original pitches to Amazon or Netflix, you need to be situated outside of Pakistan since we have no agents or regional offices.&rdquo;

Ray of hope

July 2020 brought with it some surprises after these hard-hitting realities were actualised. Film-maker duo Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi announced that a Pakistani web-series based on Lyari gang war was in the works.



This was followed by the promise of a web-series by Faisal Qureshi as the Teen Bata Teen producer claimed he&rsquo;d be taking a dive into the digital waters by exploring a phenomenon most Pakistanis were familiar with; load-shedding. Actor Junaid Khan also announced a &lsquo;motivational&rsquo; series titled Keh Do that will be streamed on YouTube.

Simultaneously, an Indian streaming platform&rsquo;s game-changing strategy to invest in and release Pakistani content stirred much curiosity. Albeit, inaccessible for its viewers in Pakistan now, ZEE5 promised to launch five new Pakistani original series as part of its revival, two of which have been released so far.

But this was not a consequence of Covid-19 provided the mentioned shows had been in the pipeline since long before. Still, the attention Asim Abbasi&rsquo;s Churails garnered was enough to inspire creatives to explore the digital realm.



And if that&rsquo;s not all, Nashpati Prime &ndash; which, back in March was a one-stop entertainment channel on YouTube &ndash; expanded into a space offering diverse and engaging culture and entertainment content to viewers. The new web portal, features the likes of critically-acclaimed playwright Zafar Mairaj helming a show titled Khanabadosh.



Having realised the limits of television today, Mairaj, in an interview with The Express Tribune had said that due to corporations and privately owned channels, mainstream television had lost connection with its actual demographic, leading the likes of him to turn to social media.

Turning point

Churails star Sarwat Gilani in an interview with the BBC relayed how liberating it was to be working on a web series, as opposed to dealing with the &lsquo;kind of limitations&rsquo; imposed on television. &quot;It&#39;s unfortunate Pakistan doesn&#39;t have a platform for progressive and real stories,&quot; she complained. Prior to this, Yasra Rizvi had told The Express Tribune that, &ldquo;Our actors have become props we package with cathartic narratives that only talk about women and their domestic issues. But that doesn&rsquo;t mean we don&rsquo;t have other stories to tell.&rdquo; 

Soon after, on a panel discussion at the Arts Council, director Nadeem Baig addressed the systematic failure of television to create opportunities for theatre actors. But the Jawani Phir Nahi Aani director assured the audience that &ldquo;TV&rsquo;s monopoly as a medium is about to end.&rdquo;



Coincidentally, three days after his claim, the Federal Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter on October 23 to announce that a Pakistani version of Netflix was in the works. &ldquo;We at the Ministry of Science and Technology are all set to launch Pakistan&rsquo;s first OTT television (Pakistani version of Netflix). The technology part is complete and we have asked PEMRA to prepare a guideline on content,&quot; Chaudhry wrote.




We at @MinistryofST are all set to launch Pakistan&rsquo;s first OTT Tv (Pak version of #Netflix) Technology part is complete have asked PEMRA to prepare a guideline on content and we will be all set to launch in PPP mode, it ll be just another humble contribution..
&mdash; Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 23, 2020



&quot;We will be all set to launch in PPP (Public-Private Partnership) mode.&rdquo; Expected to launch in January 2021, Urduflix is set to feature a range of content from original to already popular dramas, films, web series, documentaries, cartoons, and even Urdu-dubbed Turkish shows.

Not to mention, another Pakistani short-form digital media platform for on-demand streaming titled Rinstra launched on December 23. Veteran screenwriter Haseena Moin joined this platform&rsquo;s Board of Advisors in October and promised to pen two web-series for it. The very platform is also set to release Gudai, a Pashto web series tackling the issue of early marriages. While ZEE5&rsquo;s Ek Jhooti Love Story director Mehreen Jabbar has directed a psychological thriller web series for the same.



But even if we get our own streaming platform, would film-makers be able to cope with our censorship policies when sending in their content? Especially since a local regulator had asked ZEE5 to take down Churails for Pakistani audiences, despite the fact that it was on an Indian streamer.

These aren&rsquo;t easy questions to answer but dodging these bullets isn&rsquo;t going to make 2021 any better.]]>
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			<title>Broadway theatres to remain closed till May 2021</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2267736/broadway-theatres-to-remain-closed-till-may-202</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2267736/broadway-theatres-to-remain-closed-till-may-202#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 20 05:58:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2267736</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Decision brings the closure of one of New York City's biggest attraction to more than a year]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Broadway theaters on Friday extended a coronavirus shut down until the end of May 2021, bringing the closure of one of New York City&rsquo;s biggest tourist attractions to more than a year and forcing a revival of musical The Music Man&nbsp;into 2022, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

Broadway theaters went dark in mid-March as the pandemic hit New York and previous target dates for reopening have come and gone without any progress in finding a way to put on indoor shows with live audiences that also protects actors and backstage crews working in cramped conditions.

Producers of &ldquo;The Music Man,&rdquo; who had hoped to stage the revival in May 2021 with Hugh Jackman, said on Friday they had pushed back the opening date of the show until February 2022.

The Actors&rsquo; Equity Association called the extended shutdown heartbreaking and appealed again for a national testing strategy and government help for the arts.

&ldquo;My heart breaks for everyone who works on Broadway or depends on it to make their living,&rdquo; Mary McColl, executive director for the union, said in a statement.

&ldquo;Too many in the industry need help now as we face another six months without work,&rdquo; she added.

Thirty-one shows were playing on Broadway when the shutdown began. Some, including the stage musical version of the Disney film &ldquo;Frozen,&rdquo; have said they will not reopen.

Last month the Metropolitan Opera in New York said it had canceled its entire 2020-21 season and would remain closed until September 2021.

New York state Senator Brad Hoylman called for financial aid for theaters, saying in a statement on Friday that 100,000 New Yorkers rely on Broadway for their incomes and the industry contributes $14.7 billion to the economy of New York City on top of ticket sales.

&ldquo;I&rsquo;m ringing every alarm bell. Broadway is facing its greatest crisis in modern history,&rdquo; Hoylman said.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below]]>
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			<title>Met Opera cancels entire 2020-21 season over Covid-19</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2265563/met-opera-cancels-entire-2020-21-season-over-covid-19</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2265563/met-opera-cancels-entire-2020-21-season-over-covid-19#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 20 06:04:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2265563</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[New York's live arts institutions have sat dark since the pandemic hamstringed the city]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[New York&#39;s Metropolitan Opera on Wednesday announced the &quot;painful&quot; cancelation of its entire 2020-21 season over the still-spreading coronavirus, a major blow for the city&#39;s decimated arts and culture industry.

The announcement is a dire signal for live arts institutions in New York - including the renowned Broadway theater district - which have sat dark since the pandemic hamstringed the city starting in mid-March, and look set to remain that way indefinitely.

Shows at the Met, a 3,800-seat bellwether for the return of live performances, now will not resume before September 2021 at the earliest.

The Met said it based its decision to cancel the entirety of its current season on the advice of health authorities, saying it would be unsafe to resume rehearsals and productions until &quot;a vaccine is widely in use, herd immunity is established, and the wearing of masks and social distancing is no longer a medical requirement.&quot;

&quot;Health officials have said this will likely take at least five to six months after a vaccine is initially made available,&quot; the organization said.

Peter Gelb, the Metropolitan Opera&#39;s general manager, told AFP that with the cancelation of this season along with the final eight weeks of the previous one, the revered house anticipated a loss in earned revenues of at least $154 million, even as expenses have been reduced.

Calling this &quot;the most challenging time&quot; in the company&#39;s 137-year history, Gelb said in an interview he was aiming to negotiate with unions representing many Met employees to help them weather the storm.

About 1,000 full-time unionized employees have been furloughed without salary since April -- the opera house has continued to provide health care -- and Gelb said it could be possible to reboot the Met&#39;s payroll if musicians agree to leaner multi-year contracts.

&quot;I feel optimistic, if we&#39;re able to convince our workforce to collectively take on the responsibility of the recovery of the Met,&quot; he said.

&quot;I think some people think of the Met as some kind of historic and invulnerable institution,&quot; he continued.

&quot;Clearly, there is no immunity from financial failure for any institution.&quot;

The American Guild of Musical Arts, one of the top unions representing Met employees, however criticized the Met&#39;s &quot;unilateral&quot; decision to cancel the season, saying in an email to members that initial contract negotiations &quot;have not been fruitful.&quot;

&quot;Unlike other companies that have worked with AGMA to identify short-term cost-saving measures, the Met seems uniquely determined to leverage this moment to permanently gut our contract,&quot; a spokesperson for the guild said.

&quot;The Met cannot solve its difficult problems by turning its back on the artists who have built it over generations.&quot;

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Everything Hollywood got wrong about the gladiators of Rome</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2265135/everything-hollywood-got-wrong-about-the-gladiators-of-rome</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2265135/everything-hollywood-got-wrong-about-the-gladiators-of-rome#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 20 08:41:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Film]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2265135</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Here's a rundown of all the historical inaccuries in classics like 'Gladiator', 'Spartacus', etc.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Anyone who has seen films like Mervyn LeRoy&#39;s&nbsp;Quo Vadis, Stanley Kubrick&#39;s&nbsp;Spartacus&nbsp;or&nbsp;Gladiator&nbsp;by&nbsp;Ridley Scott&nbsp;is familiar with the images of the Roman&nbsp;fighters destined&nbsp;for either glory or death as they&nbsp;entertained&nbsp;crowds with violent combats.

Maria Weiss, the&nbsp;director of the Archaeological Museum Hamburg&nbsp;where a new exhibition titled Gladiators - Heroes of the Colosseum Rainer is being held, told DW he wanted to bring historical facts to the forefront and ask hard-hitting questions about this bloody sport: &quot;What does the pictorial tradition say about real life? What do bones, or rather studies about buried gladiators, say about their lives, about their diet, etc.?&quot;&nbsp;



&nbsp;

Gladiator games in ancient Rome&nbsp;

The first documented gladiator fights took place in Rome in 264 BC. At the time, descendants of a deceased person had three pairs of slaves compete against each other in the honour of their dearly departed. Typically, the fight would happen in a marketplace, not an enclosed venue.

Throughout the course of history, these private battles of nobility became increasingly popular among citizens of ancient Rome, and emperors had a hand in organizing them as a form of entertainment.&nbsp;

Under Emperor Augustus (63 BC - 14 AD), fights were allowed only during a few specific days a year. &quot;The real gladiator fought three or, if it came down to it, four fights a year. In between, gladiators lived and trained in gladiator schools, which you can imagine as a boarding school,&quot; Weiss says.&nbsp;

Fighting by the rules

The gladiator battles were the day&#39;s highlight. Fighters didn&#39;t simply wave their swords around aimlessly: There was a complex set of rules and a referee who made sure they were obeyed. &quot;This is something that we do not have in our collective imagination at all. There is never a referee who says &#39;Attention, the leather strap has come loose, give him time to fix it.&#39;&nbsp;Or: &#39;Attention, he is turning around and taking a breath. You can&#39;t stab him now,&#39; and so on,&quot; explains Weiss.&nbsp;

Although a draw was the rarest outcome of a fight, not as many gladiators died as is commonly thought. According to Weiss, it isn&#39;t true that one person per fight had to lose their life: &quot;That was an exceptional case, because the fighters were highly trained, respected and really expensive experts, just like today&#39;s boxers or wrestling stars who are known by name and who have their fans.&quot;&nbsp;Some, however, did die in a fight if they gave up, for example, and if the audience or emperor refused to pardon them. &nbsp;



&nbsp;

A famous arena: the Colosseum in Rome

While the gladiatorial games were initially held in marketplaces and large urban areas &mdash; not only in Rome but also in Pompeii and elsewhere &mdash; fights soon took place in amphitheatres.

The&nbsp;Roman Colosseum&nbsp;is the most famous of such venues.&nbsp;This building, commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in the 1st century AD, could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators.

Even today, the ruins bear witness to its former splendour. Each year millions of tourists visit the ancient site.

Between underdog and hero&nbsp;

Gladiators were by no means only prisoners or slaves.&nbsp;Gladiator schools ensured that there was a large supply of highly trained fighters and many &quot;free citizens&quot; also joined.

What may be surprising to many is that women also fought against each other. This topic is touched upon in the Hamburg exhibition. &quot;This did not fit into the Roman worldview, which is why they were probably hushed and officially banned in the year 200,&quot; says Weiss. An imperial prohibition suggests that there must have been many such fights, he points out. In Roman culture, a woman&#39;s role was that of an admirer or lover, not a fearsome fighter.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>The rise and fall of Pakistani theatre</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2265096/the-rise-and-fall-of-pakistani-theatre</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2265096/the-rise-and-fall-of-pakistani-theatre#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 20 21:16:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Zulfiqar Baig]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2265096</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Theatre stage used to be a platform for great artistic expression]]>
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				<![CDATA[Theatre happens to be one of the oldest traditions known to South Asia, dating back to as early as third century BC. In the subcontinent, as a culture growing on the banks of River Indus, theatre was heavily influenced by Hinduism at the time. 

Feeding from immersive Sanskrit literatures, it continued to evolve as a form of folk tradition and artistic expression in the South East for many centuries. It wasn&rsquo;t until much later in the 19th century, when the concept of commercial theatre started taking off with Urdu dramas occupying centre stage. 

However, with the advent of the East India Company, like many other sectors, the local theatre scene too found itself being hijacked by the British Raj. Most stage-dramas to be performed in the region were now scripted in London and soon enough theatre became a tool for the British to impose their culture, language and traditions on the people of the Indian subcontinent.

Where the subcontinent experienced its theatrical heydays before the colonial takeover, the industry&rsquo;s rise and fall in the region has been much more complicated to track in ever since independence. 

After the British made their exit, Pakistan was left with two different forms of theatre: one which relied on English adaptations made to be performed for the silk-stocking crowd at art councils and the other which offered local content for the masses in the form of juggats or comedies. At the same time, the country saw the herald of a new form of theatre; one that instead of producing slapstick comedies and English adaptations focused more on highlighting the various social and political issues of the age. This period was perhaps when Pakistani theatre is said to have reached its zenith and stage plays became the dominant form of public entrainment for the cultured. 

Cities like Karachi and Lahore became the melting pot of stage dramas and names like Khwaja Mueenddin and Bano Qudsia came to define the local industry. However, the rise was short-lived and soon came the fall. With the advent of a dictator rule and growing political unrest, the 1970s saw restrictions on many industries including arts and entertainment. 

What was once a growing form of public entertainment had now gone into the dark and the most radical of performances became limited to private spaces. On the flip side, the repression offered social justice theatre all the fodder it needed to grow and valiant troupes like Tehreek Niswaan and Ajoka Theatre came to the fore.

Later, when the restrictions were finally removed, theatre in Pakistan found itself catering to a newer audience altogether. 

One that sought mere entertainment and no reflection. Dance groups and musicals became the dominant category. Meanwhile, major cinema halls in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi were converted into theaters. For many, this was the bastardization of Pakistani stage scene.

&ldquo;Theatre stage used to be a platform for great artistic expression, but its commodification lead to scripts losing substance and performers choosing money over matter. 

And why wouldn&rsquo;t they? After all, highest paid actors are the ones taken to be the most talented in our industry,&rdquo; commented veteran actor Muhammad Qavi Khan. &ldquo;Theatre performers don&rsquo;t train with the same diligence that they used to in the heydays of the industry, now it&rsquo;s all about the hype generated from movie-like hoardings and fancy production techniques. Most theatre actors of today cannot even read their scripts properly, let alone act them out,&rdquo; he added.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on the matter, Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Director Dr. Waqar Ahmed said that a drama workshop has been organized by PNCA for the training of young actors. &ldquo;Through this workshop, we hope to train young artists for non-commercial dramas. In the coming years, we wish to see them use their training to redefine the Pakistani theatre industry.&rdquo;

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Awaami Theatre Festival to kick off tomorrow</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2264416/awaami-theatre-festival-to-kick-off-tomorrow-37</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2264416/awaami-theatre-festival-to-kick-off-tomorrow-37#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 20 09:37:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2264416</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The 18-day event will mark the revival of cultural activities at the Arts Council Karachi]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Karachi Arts Council is gearing up to revive its cultural activities with the Awami Theatre Festival 2020. Commencing from tomorrow, the festival will last till October 4, marking the first major event since the lifting of the lockdown.

The schedule of the festival was revealed at a news conference on Saturday evening, following which, it was updated on the Arts Council&rsquo;s Instagram page, along with the schedule of the plays that will be featured. &ldquo;Come join us for a fun-filled festival which will incorporate a diversified variety of musicals, comedies and tragic stage plays, held daily at 8:00pm, at the Arts Council of Pakistan,&rdquo; read the post.






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A post shared by Arts Council Karachi (@acpkhiofficial) on Sep 9, 2020 at 5:47am PDT





According to the schedule, during the course of the 18-day event, a different play will be staged each day, starting from Khala Khayalon Mein by Pervez Siddiqui to Yahi Such Hai by Zakir Mastana. Catering to a wider audience, the festival will also feature plays in Sindhi, Memoni, Seraiki and Punjabi. The Sindhi play, Khati Aayo Khair Saan, is directed by Altaf Soomro while M Ali Naqvi is the director of the Punjabi play Mera Viyah Karao. The Memoni and Seraiki plays are titled Ghabrayn Jo Na Aye and Opra, directed by Aftab Kamdar and Zahoor Malik respectively.

The plays will be commercially-inclined, given the festival is for the public and the passes will be free of cost, according to Arts Council president Ahmed Shah. &ldquo;Our festivals are for the people and although the Awami Theatre Festival is an annual event, this year, the actors seem to be enjoying it more,&rdquo; Shah told The Express Tribune.



Referring to hopelessness that prevailed amid the lockdown, Shah recalled how the performing artists had nowhere to go. &ldquo;These artists are often coming from underprivileged backgrounds and rely on theatre as their sole means to earn. These cultural activities are their bread and butter and if you take that away, they will become hopeless,&rdquo; he explained.

Shah went on to explain how the council tried its best to support the artists during the past six months, but the majority was practically jobless. &ldquo;Some artists initiated their online channels but as soon as the lockdown lifted, it&rsquo;s like covid-19 never existed,&rdquo; he laughed. However, &ldquo;All SOPs will be maintained during the festival,&rdquo; he reserved, promising that it would be mandatory for the public to wear masks, which will be provided in case someone shows up without one. &ldquo;We will also make sure that the public maintains distance, although when a family comes, they prefer to be seated side by side,&rdquo; he said.






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A post shared by Arts Council Karachi (@acpkhiofficial) on Sep 16, 2020 at 5:27am PDT





Nevertheless, Shah was certain that the festival would revive hope in both the actors and the audiences, given that the Awami Theatre Festival this year focuses more on uplifting plays and comedy, as opposed to social issues. &ldquo;It is meant to revive happiness and provide an escape from the tense air we are surrounded by these days. I&rsquo;m certain that this festival will be a treat from the council to the people who value and missed theatre,&rdquo; he concluded.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Awaami Theatre Festival to kick off tomorrow</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2264415/awaami-theatre-festival-to-kick-off-tomorrow</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2264415/awaami-theatre-festival-to-kick-off-tomorrow#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 20 09:37:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2264415</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The 18-day event will mark the revival of cultural activities at the Arts Council Karachi]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Karachi Arts Council is gearing up to revive its cultural activities with the Awami Theatre Festival 2020. Commencing from today, the festival will last till October 4, marking the first major event since the lifting of the lockdown.

The schedule of the festival was revealed at a news conference on Saturday evening, following which, it was updated on the Arts Council&rsquo;s Instagram page, along with the schedule of the plays that will be featured. &ldquo;Come join us for a fun-filled festival which will incorporate a diversified variety of musicals, comedies and tragic stage plays, held daily at 8:00pm, at the Arts Council of Pakistan,&rdquo; read the post.






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A post shared by Arts Council Karachi (@acpkhiofficial) on Sep 9, 2020 at 5:47am PDT






According to the schedule, during the course of the 18-day event, a different play will be staged each day, starting from&nbsp;Khala Khayalon Mein&nbsp;by Pervez Siddiqui to&nbsp;Yahi Such Hai&nbsp;by Zakir Mastana. Catering to a wider audience, the festival will also feature plays in Sindhi, Memoni, Seraiki and Punjabi. The Sindhi play,&nbsp;Khati Aayo Khair Saan, is directed by Altaf Soomro while M Ali Naqvi is the director of the Punjabi play&nbsp;Mera Viyah Karao. The Memoni and Seraiki plays are titled&nbsp;Ghabrayn Jo Na Aye&nbsp;and&nbsp;Opra, directed by Aftab Kamdar and Zahoor Malik respectively.

The plays will be commercially-inclined, given the festival is for the public and the passes will be free of cost, according to Arts Council president Ahmed Shah. &ldquo;Our festivals are for the people and although the Awami Theatre Festival is an annual event, this year, the actors seem to be enjoying it more,&rdquo; Shah told&nbsp;The Express Tribune.



Referring to hopelessness that prevailed amid the lockdown, Shah recalled how the performing artists had nowhere to go. &ldquo;These artists are often coming from underprivileged backgrounds and rely on theatre as their sole means to earn. These cultural activities are their bread and butter and if you take that away, they will become hopeless,&rdquo; he explained.

Shah went on to explain how the council tried its best to support the artists during the past six months, but the majority was practically jobless. &ldquo;Some artists initiated their online channels but as soon as the lockdown lifted, it&rsquo;s like covid-19 never existed,&rdquo; he laughed. However, &ldquo;All SOPs will be maintained during the festival,&rdquo; he reserved, promising that it would be mandatory for the public to wear masks, which will be provided in case someone shows up without one.&nbsp;&ldquo;We will also make sure that the public maintains distance, although when a family comes, they prefer to be seated side by side,&rdquo; he said.






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A post shared by Arts Council Karachi (@acpkhiofficial) on Sep 16, 2020 at 5:27am PDT






Nevertheless, Shah was certain that the festival would revive hope in both the actors and the audiences, given that the Awami Theatre Festival this year focuses more on uplifting plays and comedy, as opposed to social issues. &ldquo;It is meant to revive happiness and provide an escape from the tense air we are surrounded by these days. I&rsquo;m certain that this festival will be a treat from the council to the people who value and missed theatre,&rdquo; he concluded.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Theatres face an uphill struggle for survival</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2262560/theatres-face-an-uphill-struggle-for-survival</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2262560/theatres-face-an-uphill-struggle-for-survival#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 20 19:31:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[qaiser.iftikhar]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2262560</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Owners express concerns about new restrictions and the looming financial crisis]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Covid-19 health crisis has disrupted all aspects of life and even as the situation shows some signs of improvement, several sectors still face an uphill battle for their survival. 

Shuttered by the pandemic since March, theatres across Punjab are now dealing with the indelible impact of Covid-19. According to details gathered by the Express Tribune, theatres have lost millions since they were forced to close five months ago. 

While the government has allowed theatres to open their doors once again, the decision comes with a long list of conditions. Theatres, like cinemas, will be required to follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 

As per the instructions issued by the government, theatres and cinemas will be required to limit the number of seats in the hall and ensure there is enough spacing to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. 

&ldquo;If a hall has a seating capacity of 500 people, it will only be allowed to enter 250 for each show,&rdquo; said one theatre owner. No one, he said, will be allowed to enter the halls without a face mask. &ldquo;Theatres will also be required to provide hand sanitizers,&rdquo; he said. 

Commenting on the situation, Chairman Theater Action Committee Qaiser Sanaullah Khan said: &ldquo;We are following all SOPs.&rdquo; Everyone, Khan said, is screened at the point of entry.

&ldquo;The coronavirus has reduced the theatres and cinemas to haunted halls,&rdquo; said one Lahore-based theatre owner. 

Another theatre owner expressed concerns about the plummeting revenue. &ldquo;Artists are earning significantly less now than they did before the health crisis,&rdquo; he claimed. 

On the other hand, Khan said, those who have rented theatres have been seriously affected by the health crisis. &ldquo;For them, it is difficult to pay the rent during this time,&rdquo; he added. 

About the future of theatres in Punjab, Khan cautioned, &ldquo;It looks bleak.&rdquo;

&ldquo;At a time when cinemas are closing down, theatres may face difficult times ahead,&rdquo; he added. 

Khan said the entire sector would need a financial lifeline to survive. &ldquo;The government should consider providing financial support to the industry,&rdquo; he said.

He warned theatres across Punjab are facing a serious crisis and may even close indefinitely. &ldquo;Without support from the government, it seems almost impossible to wade through the crisis,&rdquo; said another theatre owner. 

On the verge of closing, theatres across the province are still struggling to produce new shows. However, there are reservations about the restrictions imposed by the government on the duration of each show.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Financial crunch: Artists continue to struggle amid pandemic</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2262255/financial-crunch-artists-continue-to-struggle-amid-pandemic</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2262255/financial-crunch-artists-continue-to-struggle-amid-pandemic#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 20 21:53:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[qaiser.iftikhar]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2262255</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Post lockdown, performing art activities have now halted in the observance of Muharram]]>
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				<![CDATA[The coronavirus pandemic jammed the wheels of economy around the world and it may take a long time for several sectors to bounce back globally. 

However, during the last six months, certain areas of work were allowed to operate with precautionary measures in Pakistan, except for the art and entertainment sectors. And just a few days have passed since the near five-month lockdown restrictions were eased across the province. But now, due to Muharramul Haram, entertainment activities have once again caved in. 

With respect to the constant hampering, singer Shahida Munni told The Express Tribune that the financial crisis had encompassed all walks of life, but it would not be wrong to say that the most affected social group was of those belonging to the arts sector. 

&ldquo;Thousands of people are employed in other entertainment programmes including film, TV, music concerts, cinemas and theaters but now the situation is becoming overbearing.&rdquo; 

&quot;The long lockdown has pushed us back many years,&quot; she stated. &ldquo;The financial crisis has left the majority of artists in debt. The government needs to come up with solutions and provide alternative earning mechanisms for performing artists.&rdquo; 

Popular actor Meera also chimed in explaining how the unprecedented situation caused many artists, who were heavily involved in finalising their projects, to be left without payments midway. &ldquo;And when a film that has been made to adorn cinemas is taken down only a few days after its premier, do you know how many millions of rupees are lost? People easily pass remarks saying that the film&rsquo;s story, music or the performances of artists are not good.&rdquo; 

She reiterated how just like the lockdown infiltrated the rest of Pakistan&#39;s economic sectors, the field of arts and entertainment had also been affected. &ldquo;And now after lockdown, entertainment activities have naturally ceased again due to Muharram,&quot; she claimed.

The Baaji star went on clarify, &ldquo;Everyone knows that the artist community observe Muharram with great devotion and respect, the community arranges Majalis and Niaz at their homes. But this time it is impossible to do even that due to the financial constraints.&rdquo; 

&quot;Therefore, the rulers needs to pay added attention to our community,&quot; she ended off saying. 

Leading stage actor and dancer Nida Chaudhry also said that it would not be wrong to call the showbiz industry the most deprived sector in our country. &ldquo;An artist entertains people all his life but he does not tell anyone about his own troubles and worries.&rdquo; 

The stage actor elaborated on how the government hadn&#39;t provided any releif to the performing artists despite the aftermath of the lockdown. &ldquo;If the government makes theatre tax free for the next two years, how much damage will it do to the exchequer? Billions of rupees of taxes are waived for other sectors.&rdquo;

Therefore, it wouldn&#39;t be wrong to pay a little attention to this deprived sector, she asserted. &ldquo;We artists are also Pakistanis and we also have some rights. The circumstances have forced us to raise our voices. I urge the government to take practical steps to address the problems of this sector on a priority basis,&quot; she concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3rd, 2020.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Production for Ahad Raza Mir’s 'Hamlet' postponed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2260737/production-for-ahad-raza-mirs-hamlet-postponed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2260737/production-for-ahad-raza-mirs-hamlet-postponed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 20 11:52:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2260737</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Taking to Instagram Mir wrote, “To be or not to be? Unfortunately not this year!&quot;]]>
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				<![CDATA[Popular television actor and theatre performer Ahad Raza Mir announced on Friday that the production for his adaptation of Shakespeare&rsquo;s Hamlet with The Rose Theatre has been postponed to next year.

Taking to Instagram Mir wrote, &ldquo;To be or not to be? Unfortunately not this year! The Rose Theatre and I have decided to postpone our production of Hamlet. Its too bad, but we&#39;ll all meet soon enough to experience the magic of Shakespeare together. Thank you to all my fans for your patience and love. See you at the theater in 2021.&rdquo;






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A post shared by Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) on Aug 21, 2020 at 7:35am PDT





Last year, Mir won the Betty Mitchell Award for his performance inthe theatre play for the category of an Outstanding Performance By An Actor In a Drama. The announcement was made by the Canada-based Vertigo Theatre on their official Twitter page. &quot;Congratulations to Ahad Raza Mir for his Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama award! We were thrilled with this production of Hamlet: A Ghost Story,&quot; read the post, along with a picture of Ahad from the play.




Congratulations to @ahadrazamir for his Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama award!

We were thrilled with this production of HAMLET: A GHOST STORY@HitMyth @ShakespeareYYC pic.twitter.com/4MAZDVOF2W
&mdash; Vertigo Theatre (@Vertigotheatre) June 25, 2019



The Yeh Dil Mera star has been a theatre actor long before he debuted on silver screen. For him, starring in Shakespeare&#39;s Hamlet was like going back to his roots.

&ldquo;I was called back to play a lot of roles I wanted to take on but couldn&rsquo;t and the calls would keep coming,&rdquo; Mir had told The Express Tribune in 2019. &ldquo;That means that I still have a home here. People think of me enough to go, &lsquo;Hey, let&rsquo;s give him a call and see if he wants to play a role. This time, for Hamlet, it worked.&rdquo;

He also spoke of how he &ndash; a brown actor &ndash; had been chosen to play the most popular prince in literature, admitting that there were indeed some alterations made for him to be able to own the character. &ldquo;To suit me, they definitely gave Hamlet&rsquo;s costume a desi vibe,&rdquo; Mir revealed.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Israel opens floating cinema for coronavirus-safe viewing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2260536/israel-opens-floating-cinema-for-coronavirus-safe-viewing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2260536/israel-opens-floating-cinema-for-coronavirus-safe-viewing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 20 05:25:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2260536</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[With the risk attached to indoor theatres, floating cinemas can allow more people to catch a film in the open]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Film-goers boarded boats floating on the shimmering waters of a Tel Aviv lake on Thursday for a test screening at Israel&rsquo;s first sail-in&nbsp;cinema.

With indoor film theatres shut because of coronavirus restrictions, Tel Aviv municipality launched the floating cinema to allow residents to catch a movie in the open air while still keeping a safe distance from each other.

The floating cinema provided seating aboard 70 pedal and rowing boats set in the Yarkon Park lake, two metres apart to maintain social distancing, Tel Aviv municipality said.



Two films will be screened every evening during the last week of August, the municipality said. Thursday&rsquo;s screening, attended by about 200 people, was a pilot event which featured the family comedy Paddington 2.

&ldquo;It was an amazing evening. Great to see a cinema corona-style. We had an amazing time. The whole family enjoyed it. Good move Tel Aviv,&rdquo; said Galia Resnick, 42, a high-tech worker from Tel Aviv.

After successfully containing the coronavirus in May, Israel has been grappling with a second wave of infections and has reported almost 100,000 COVID-19 cases in total and 795 deaths.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>‘Pakistan’s Best Kept Secret’ wins at a South Asian festival</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2259023/pakistans-best-kept-secret-wins-at-a-south-asian-festival</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2259023/pakistans-best-kept-secret-wins-at-a-south-asian-festival#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 20 08:10:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2259023</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The Ajoka Theatre documentary is based on the Lahore Museum]]>
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				<![CDATA[Ajoka Theatre&rsquo;s acclaimed documentary Pakistan&rsquo;s Best Kept Secret: Lahore Museum has won an award at the Indus Valley International Film Festival stated a press release.

The documentary also received a Jury&rsquo;s Special Mention Award. Its screening was followed by a question and answer session conducted by the festival&rsquo;s curator Harsh Narayan with the documentary&rsquo;s director Shahid Nadeem.

Pakistan&rsquo;s Best Kept Secret is produced in collaboration with Samosa Media UK. It follows the narration of the Lahore Museum&rsquo;s director Sumaira Samad as she visits the Museum&rsquo;s galleries. The film has been widely screened at educational institutions and museums across the UK, including the All Souls College of Oxford University in October, 2019.

It was also screened at the Pakistan High Commission in London in October while simultaneously being premiered at the Birkbeck University and Lahore&rsquo;s Institute of Art and Culture in May 2019.







By now the film&rsquo;s Facebook viewership has crossed the 2 million mark.

Ajoka&rsquo;s Chairperson Zara Salman has also congratulated the Ajoka team for its achievements and said the film has helped increase awareness about the Lahore Museum and Pakistan&rsquo;s rich cultural heritage.

The Indus Valley international Film Festival, on the other hand, was organised by the South Asian Forum for Culture and Creative Heritage. It screened various other documentaries from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Iran and the Maldives.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Artistes hail theatre reopening</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2258810/artistes-hail-theatre-reopening</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2258810/artistes-hail-theatre-reopening#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 20 20:48:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2258810</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[It is a source of income for thousands of people]]>
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				<![CDATA[News of the government&#39;s orders to open cinemas and theatres across Punjab from Monday due to easing of lockdown may have given a new lease of life to artistes, producers, directors and technicians.


As soon as the news came to light through the media, the artistes associated with the theatre congratulated each other and thanked Allah Almighty. Following the announcement, Theatre Action Committee Chairman Qaiser Sanaullah Khan said that theatres and cinemas had been closed for the past six months to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, theatre artistes and technicians met top officials of the Punjab government on the occasions of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha, requesting permission to present stage plays with precautionary measures, staged protests and addressed press conferences, but to no avail. They even had to go to court. They would definitely welcome the reopening of theatres.

&quot;Other business sectors across the country are working as usual and as far as we&#39;re concerned, we&#39;ve come up with our own precautionary measures that we&#39;re going to implement,&quot; comedian Qaiser Pia said. He said everyone in the theatre industry was happy over the decision.

Renowned theatre artist Farrukh Shah passes

He said theatre industry is considered as a very lucrative sector in Pakistan. It is a source of income for thousands of people. Qaiser said it was difficult to understand how artistes and theatre technicians had survived the lockdown but it must be appreciated that they did not resort to begging.

&quot;Our only demand was that we be allowed to work, not given aid. This permission has now been granted. So I hope it will have positive results. However, my request to the federal and provincial governments is that we are facing severe financial difficulties due to the lockdown. In view of the circumstances, we should be given a two-year relief in renewing our theatre licences.&quot;

Comedian Tahir Anjum was also very happy. Now things would improve as people associated with the sector would get employment, while the citizens would get entertainment.

On the other hand, some circles noted that the permission was being given after the Eid and ahead of Muharram, so the revival of the theatre business would take time.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Renowned theatre artist Farrukh Shah passes away</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2257405/renowned-theatre-artist-farrukh-shah-passes-away</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2257405/renowned-theatre-artist-farrukh-shah-passes-away#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 20 10:15:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[life and style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2257405</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Late actor was known for mimicking PM Imran Khan]]>
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				<![CDATA[Renowned comedian and stage actor Farrukh Shah, who in recent years gained fame for his resemblance to and mimicry of Prime Minister Imran Khan, passed away earlier this week. Buried in Lahore on Wednesday, he expired after suffering a major heart attack.

According to peers and family of the late actor, despite having an illustrious career spanning more than three decades, Farrukh wasn&rsquo;t doing well financially. His wife Bushra noted that the actor in spite of working hard throughout his life, Shah wasn&rsquo;t able to build a house of his own with the entire family living in a rented space.

&ldquo;Farrukh was worried due to the non-availability of work, ever since theatres closed down due to the ongoing pandemic. He was the only source of bread for the entire family. With my two children in intermediate and all of us staying in a rented home, I don&rsquo;t know how we will survive. I request the Punjab Government to help us if they think my husband contributed to the country,&rdquo; Bushra told The Express Tribune.

As per reports, Farrukh had taken part in protests alongside many members of the theatre community, urging the government to open halls ahead of Eid ul Adha.

His peers, particularly stage actor and singer Megha and senior artists Shiba Butt, have also asked the provincial government to provide assistance to Farrukh&rsquo;s family in these testing times. &ldquo;Farrukh Shah was a down to earth man and a talented actor. His death caught us all by surprise. I request the government of Pakistan to kindly help the family. The artist community should raise its voice for the future of his family,&rdquo; Megha said.

&quot;Farrukh died in the worse circumstances imaginable. He was participating in every protest and requesting the government to open theatres. We artists spend our whole life putting smiles on people&rsquo;s faces . But when it comes to our families, no one is there to help. I request PM Imran Khan and CM Punjab Usman Buzdar to issue a financial support to his family,&rdquo; Shiba added.

Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Ajoka Theatre takes ‘Manto Online’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256918/ajoka-theatre-takes-manto-online</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256918/ajoka-theatre-takes-manto-online#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 20 11:38:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[life and style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2256918</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Company has live streamed a play based on the late writer’s stories]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Renowned performing arts group Ajoka Theatre streamed an online play this weekend. Produced entirely on the cloud meeting platform Zoom, the play was called&nbsp;Manto Online&nbsp;and based on Shahid Nadeem&rsquo;s much renowned play&nbsp;Kaun Hai Yeh Gushtakh.
As the name suggest, the play - directed by Nirvaan Nadeem - is an amalgamation of different stories essayed by legendary writer Saadat Hasan Manto.

The play was essentially an experimental production wherein actors from various cities including Lahore, Karachi and Houston participated via Zoom app. The production was designed in such a way that each actor was able to record their scene in isolation whilst at the same time, maintaining constant continuity.

The production received massive response and appreciation on Facebook and YouTube. The actors expressed their gratitude for Ajoka and director Nirvaan Nadeem for the opportunity to be included in such an experiment.

According to Nirvaan, who is also the executive director at Ajoka, the company has been facing many obstacles countless times before. &quot;Ajoka Theatre has always continued its work, even in the most difficult of circumstances in the country. With Covid-19 being the latest challenge, Ajoka has still managed to come out on top,&rdquo; he told&nbsp;The Express Tribune.

Adding on, Nadeem talked about how this is the first of many online plays by Ajoka. &ldquo;Entertainment is an important factor for the relaxation and peace in society. Ajoka has introduced a new trend of online performances. In future, more such shows will be performed with the purpose of giving relief to theatre lovers in these testing times.&rdquo;
&nbsp;The cast of the play included Feza Farooq, Usama Shah, Jehanzeb Khan, Jawad Tariq, Ahmad Ali, Saad Syed, Asad and Anam Jalil. The play can be viewed on Ajoka&rsquo;s YouTube and Facebook channels.

Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Theatre artists protest against hall closures</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256467/theatre-artists-protest-against-hall-closures</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256467/theatre-artists-protest-against-hall-closures#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 20 11:33:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[life and style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2256467</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Lahore’s artist community demands reopening for Eid ul Adha]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Theatre artists across Lahore have taken to the streets to protest against the indefinite closure of halls in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The community is demanding that theatres be allowed to resume activities on the coming Eid and have urged the government of Punjab to take their plight into account and accordingly, draft SOPs so that it can resume earning its livelihood.&nbsp;

The protest was held on Mall Road with prominent figures of the theatre circuit participating. Chairman of Punjab Theatre Association Qaiser Sana Ullah Khan highlighted that for months, they have been trying to brief the authorities about the grave situation theatre artists are facing due to lockdown. However, as of yet, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
&ldquo;Our demand is very genuine and we will follow government instructions. Theatre artists are dying, committing suicide; their families are starving due to poverty. We knocked on the offices of federal government and provincial government but no one is listening to us,&rdquo; Khan told&nbsp;The Express Tribune.

Adding on, he stressed that the theatre community has contributed a lot to the country&rsquo;s economy and as such, deserves to be heard. &ldquo;We have paid millions of rupees in taxes and played our role in the betterment of society through our contribution. It is sad that now we have to resort to this for our very survival.&rdquo;

Senior producer Qaiser Shahzad warned that the artists would soon have to go on a hunger strike if their demands are not met. &ldquo;During the last four months, our community witnessed the harshest of times. While everyone celebrated Eidul Fitr, we weren&rsquo;t able to do so due to financial constraints. We are artists and cannot change our line of work just like that. It is painful that our voice is now dying. If permission isn&rsquo;t given to resume performances, they (artists) would be forced to go on a hunger strike,&rdquo; Shahzad said.

Veteran stage actor Shiba Butt echoed the same sentiments, pointing out that certain artists and /or their family members have actually died as a result. &ldquo;There are many among us who are patients and due to the closure of theatres, we can&rsquo;t even purchase medicines,&rdquo; she shared. &ldquo;We have no money to eat, pay rent and cover for our children&rsquo;s education. Many theatre artists in different cities have died in last four months. The government should take notice of our situation. We have spent our lives putting smiles on people&rsquo;s faces but now that we are suffering, no one is noticing.&rdquo;
Over 75 commercial theatres in Punjab, including 15 halls in Lahore, have been shut since March 15, as per figures provided by the Punjab Information and Culture Department. Around 12,000 thousand families are said to have been affected by the closure.

Earlier on in the lockdown, the theatre community had appealed to the government to let them resume work on Eidul Fitr. In a letter to Punjab&nbsp;Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, a consortium of Lahore&#39;s theatre artists appealed that theatre spaces should be&nbsp;allowed to open for business during the holiday.]]>
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			<title>Talking in Punjabi does not make you uneducated: Dr Sughra Sadaf</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2252664/talking-in-punjabi-does-not-make-you-uneducated-dr-sughra-sadaf</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2252664/talking-in-punjabi-does-not-make-you-uneducated-dr-sughra-sadaf#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 20 10:34:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2252664</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Dr. Sadaf, recently appointed DG at PILAC shares her vision for the language and the institute]]>
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				<![CDATA[Dr. Sugra Sadaf, a renowned poet and literary writer, has been appointed by the Punjab Government as the new Director General of Punjab Institute of Language Art and Culture (PILAC).

Sadaf had already served as DG PILAC for three years before being replaced by Saman Roy last year, who has now been appointed as the Executive Director at the Lahore Arts Council. Since Roy&rsquo;s departure, the DG post at PILAC was vacant and subsequently filled in by Sadaf, who is widely regarded for her various contributions to not just the institute but the Punjabi language itself.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Sadaf relayed her vision for the institution at this point in time, citing her past tenure and its successes. &ldquo;In the past, I worked with a mission and that was the reason that we saw events at PILAC that were never held before,&rdquo; she said.



&ldquo;The tradition of arranging festivals during the urs of prominent Punjabi saints was started right her at PILAC. We also arranged the first Punjabi Film Maila at PILAC which featured super hit Punjabi films and various Punjabi artists. Not just that, but the biggest dictionary for Punjabi was compiled here at PILAC under my supervision and that is our asset,&rdquo; she shared, stressing that being appointed at such a high and prestigious post calls for hard work and sincerity.

PILAC is the only such institution of its kind that has been set up solely for the purpose of promoting Punjabi language and culture and to highlight the rich history and traditions of the region. Thus, according to Sadaf, it is imperative that the same is made sure of.

Leading literary figures in Punjab also expressed elation at her reappointment, hoping for a renewed vigour at the institute, including Punjabi poet Baba Najmi.

&quot;Dr Sugra Sadaf has a history of serving the Punjabi language and highlighting it at an international level. There is huge population in the province that speaks Punjabi and this region has a rich history including folk music and wonderful traditions. There was dire need of a person at PILAC who understands this and is aware of our history,&rdquo; said Najmi.

&ldquo;We will soon see cultural activities at PILAC. The thing worth lauding is that in a minimum budget, Sadaf managed to do an excellent job and will hopefully do so in future. Us Punjabi poets and the literary community at large are happy over her appointment,&rdquo; he added.

&ldquo;Other than printing a Punjabi dictionary in seven jild which is the biggest Punjabi dictionary in the world, I also worked to establish a folk music promotion studio at PILAC, inviting artists from across Punjab to come and hone their talent,&rdquo; expressed Sadaf, adding that she hopes that PILAC&rsquo;s past glory will be restored soon.



Sadaf also addressed the numerous hurdles that the regional language faces today, saying, &quot;The biggest issue and threat to this language is that it was not given its due status at national level.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Without its implementation as a mother language and without including it as a compulsory language in the academic course we cannot give Punjabi its due value,&rdquo; she added, assuring that under her keen eye, maximum budget will be allotted to the promotion of Punjabi. She also thanked the current government for doing their best for its promotion.

&ldquo;The second big issue with this language is that our parents and families have stopped talking in the Punjabi because they think that if we speak Punjabi, people will consider us uneducated. We have to stop this attitude and we should start speaking Punjabi at our homes, institutions and in offices,&rdquo; explained Sadaf.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below]]>
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			<title>450 US theaters to reopen on July 15</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2245839/450-us-theaters-reopen-july-15</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2245839/450-us-theaters-reopen-july-15#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 20 10:56:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2245839</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[AMC Entertainment expects returning to full seating capacity by Thanksgiving]]>
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				<![CDATA[AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc said on Thursday it plans to reopen theaters at about 450 locations in the United States on July 15 and expects returning to full seating capacity around Thanksgiving.

The world’s largest movie theater operator also said it would reopen the remaining 150 theaters in the country in time for opening of Walt Disney Co’s Mulan on July 24 and Warner Bros.’ July 31 release of Tenet.

The company said it will adopt a four-phase approach to increasing limitations on the seating capacity, adding that social distancing will be enforced across all auditoriums.

In phase 1, beginning July 15, ticket availability in all AMC auditoriums will be capped at 30% of the normal seating capacity and it will block every other row in non-recliner auditoriums.

This cap will be increased to 40% of the seating capacity in phase 2 and 50% in phase 3, which is expected to begin around the Labor Day weekend.

The company plans to operate at full capacity in Phase 4, expected around Thanksgiving.

AMC also said that as part of its health and sanitation program every auditorium will be cleaned between each showtime along with a routine disinfection of all high-touch areas including door handles, stanchions, service counters, handrails, escalator rails, benches, and restroom fixtures.

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			<title>No Eid cheers for cinemas this year</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2226310/no-eid-cheers-cinemas-year</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2226310/no-eid-cheers-cinemas-year#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 20 12:10:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Zulfiqar Baig / Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2226310</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Industry in dire straits as lockdown exacerbates financial problems caused by ban on Bollywood films]]>
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				<![CDATA[Having invested millions on establishing and maintaining their multiplexes, owners from Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Hyderabad have been suffering great losses due to the coronavirus lockdown. And now, it seems like the little making up they could have done on Eid will also not happen this year.

Distributor Nadeem Mandviwala explained how business had already been in the dumps after the government banned the screening of Bollywood films last year. “There was a lack of production of local films to begin with. But even the ones that did manage to be released before covid-19 struck did not perform that well,” he told The Express Tribune.

Mandviwala went onto reiterate how Hollywood is planning to screen its 2020 releases in September but the situation in Pakistan is deteriorating day by day. In a country where entertainment is demanded but entertainers are criticised and films are not fit to compete with heavy budget international productions that are being screened in the same cinemas, survival is difficult.



“With a monthly rent of Rs4 million, expensive films cannot suffice our expenses. Setting up a digital and computerised cinema requires nearly Rs20 million to Rs30 million. Theatres have been closed for 50 days now and without maintenance, the machines we use might stop working. Who would compensate for our loss?” asked Mandiwala.

He continued to complain about the lack of government interest in maintaining these houses, adding that even if the government grants permission to screen films again, owners will remain at a loss after accommodating the audience in line with the SOPs.

“It has already become impossible to arrange salaries, pay bills and taxes,” Mandviwala lamented.

Also read: The Legend of Maula Jatt, Tich Button: Eid releases halt due to Covid-19

The Punjab government has already decided to keep cinemas closed on Eidul Fitr, with the provincial government rejecting the appeal of cinema owners. An official, on the conditions of anonymity said, “Making arrangements to ensure SOPs are being followed in cinemas won't be feasible during Eidul Fitr. Thus, we have decided that all cinemas shall remain closed.”

Not to mention, the release of films slated for Eidul Fitr, including Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan’s The Legend of Maula Jatt and Urwa Hocane’s production debut Tich Button, along with several others that were being produced in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, have been postponed.

https://twitter.com/VJURWA/status/1198588808515768322

In view of the ongoing crises, an announcement allowing the release of these films can only come once the situation improves. According to a senior official of the Central Board of Film, “Censorship certificates were issued to the films in March and the agency had granted approval for the screening of commercial and non-commercial films. But the federal government closed cinema halls for the safety of the public and nothing can be done until they re-open in line with the new SOPs."

Chairman Pakistan Film Distributors Associations, Chaudhry Ejaz Kamran, however, believes the situation is the same around the world. “We had films that had completed before Covid-19 took over, but the producers wanted to wait until Eid to release those films. Since cinemas will not be re-opening – and they shouldn’t until arrangements are made for people’s safety – we will work on a strategy to streamline their halted release. We need to observe the international film market and wait for the right moment,” he concluded.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Broadway to remain closed until at least September</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2220435/broadway-remain-closed-least-september</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2220435/broadway-remain-closed-least-september#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 May 20 04:50:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2220435</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The decision is not particularly surprising given that New York remains the US epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[New York's beloved Broadway theatres will not reopen until at least early September, its trade association announced Tuesday.

While the Broadway League did not set a date for performances to resume, they said refunds and ticket exchanges now are offered for performances through September 6.

[caption id="attachment_766157" align="alignnone" width="640"] The broadway musical which is directed by Julie Taymor, features songs composed by legendary singer Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice. PHOTO: REUTERS[/caption]


The decision is not particularly surprising given that New York remains the US epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, with Covid-19 continuing to kill more than 150 people a day in the state.

Reopening the arts and entertainment sectors, a major feature of life in New York, is in the final phase of Governor Andrew Cuomo's four-part plan to return economic and cultural activity to the state.



"While all Broadway shows would love to resume performances as soon as possible, we need to ensure the health and well-being of everyone who comes to the theatre - behind the curtain and in front of it - before shows can return," said Charlotte St Martin, the Broadway League's president, in a statement.

Along with virtually all events in the city Broadway's theatres shut-in mid-March, when 31 productions were running and eight were in rehearsals with spring opening dates.

The shuttering of the city's most bankable tourist attraction is a major blow: in normal times, those theatres would be raking in $33 million a week in ticket sales.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below. ]]>
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			<title>Christopher Nolan's 'Tenet' could be the first film in cinemas post lockdown</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2218873/christopher-nolans-tenet-could-be-the-first-film-in-cinemas-post-lockdown</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2218873/christopher-nolans-tenet-could-be-the-first-film-in-cinemas-post-lockdown#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 May 20 08:37:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2218873</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Some insiders still think that 'Tenet's' July 17 release date is a bit too optimistic]]>
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				<![CDATA[Hollywood ace filmmaker Christopher Nolan wants his film to be the one to open theatres after the lockdown, reports Variety. 

Cinemas have remain closed for the majority part of this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and while major productions have postponed release dates, Nolan's latest Tenet is still scheduled for a July 17 release.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-sF6nHDdaE/

"Chris really would like to be coming out with the film that opens theatres. I don’t know anyone in America who is pushing harder to get the theatres re-opened and to get his movie released than Chris Nolan," said Imax CEO Richard Gelfond.

Nolan himself has promised to finish up on the film's extensive post-production and visual effects work in the coming weeks, making sure that the film is ready to hit cinemas in July - all this, despite the fact that many of the work has to be done remotely.

For avid moviegoers, Tenet is not just a film, explained Variety. The science-fiction epic that has been largely been kept under the wraps is being counted on as the spark to 'to ignite a movie-going revival in the US and beyond.'

https://www.instagram.com/p/B63HudeDdlQ/

Some insiders still think that a July release is overly optimistic owing to the fact that coronavirus cases are still rising in some parts of the world. They also said that Warner Bros. will make a decision within a week about whether to go ahead with Tenet’s planned July 17 release or push it deeper into 2020.

Tenet stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, and Kenneth Branagh.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below]]>
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			<title>India's Samrat Sharma to launch 'World Home Theatre' featuring Pakistan's Sunil Shankar</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2216216/performing-artistes-12-countries-gather-digitalise-theatre</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2216216/performing-artistes-12-countries-gather-digitalise-theatre#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 08 May 20 09:34:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Asfa Sultan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2216216</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Aside from the NAPA actor, artistes from 12 countries will help digitalise theatre with Sharma's initiative]]>
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				<![CDATA[The ongoing pandemic has moulded our world and with that, our livelihood and habits. As people become physically restricted to their homes, they've become virtually active and mentally charged with surplus energy in store just waiting to come out.

Thus, art forms are aiming to become digitised with musicians performing online concerts to designers conducting online fashion shows. And now it seems like theatre artists will also be finding an online platform.

Samrat Sharma, a Kolkata based artist from India has initiated a 'World Home Theatre' programme which will feature performing artists from around 12 countries so far, including Pakistan.



In a conversation with The Express Tribune, Sharma discussed what pushed him to make the platform - based on Youtube - and how he plans on taking it forward.

"Every moment has become a struggle to survive since the pandemic broke out. You turn up the news, you'll hear about the virus. You open social media, you'll read about the virus. Everything has become dark, and depressing, especially for artistes who are used to the spotlight."

He then explained how the darkness surrounding him illuminated the idea in his mind. "Even though we're physically enslaved, our grey matter roams free. So I came up with this initiative and thought it would show the world that creativity cannot be contained by a virus. I had friends from different countries and when I approached them with the idea, they were all for it."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DXZHP56-5Q&amp;feature=youtu.be

Sunil Shankar, a National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) graduate will be representing Pakistan on The World Home Theatre. Aside from him and Sharma, the project promises to feature performances from Anzelea Lopez from Mexico, Nicola Adel from Palestine, Nilanka Namal from Sri Lanka, Micaela Picarelli from Argentina, Cheung Chun from Hong Kong, Rahul Raj from Bangladesh, Francis Perin from France, Benjamin Gonzalez from USA, Elda Gallo, Jolyane Langlois, Maartje Pasman from Austria and Roman Sidorenko from Russia.

Shankar also opened up to The Express Tribune about his collaboration with Sharma, detailing the ongoing problems performing actors are facing in Pakistan and around the world.

"It was Samrat’s initiative. He told me to record a performance and I sent him a narration of Zindagi Se Dartay Ho with respect to the ongoing situation."



Sharma specified that the initial theme for his Home Theatre will be about coping with pandemic. However, he remarked that the initiative cannot be turned into a permanent solution, unless actors become equipped with the set up of a theatre at home.

He further called it a "temporary consolation."

"Nothing is happening in terms of performing art. But people who can teach theatre are giving online lessons, dancers can also give online lessons but an actor can only serve with his/her art. And how can we act alone in a room with ourselves?" questioned Shankar.

He added that performing artists, especially actors around the world are looking for a means of survival. And he also plans on engaging a screen writer to write a plays which actors can work on from their homes. that can later be combined and shared on YouTube. "But I'm hoping we don't have to do this for much longer."



Sharma, however, felt that his platform may gain viewership due to the number of countries involved and if it does, he can make it bigger by incorporating artistes from all the countries around the world.

"I’m just focusing on the transition phase right now. If things work in our favour, I am thinking of even hosting a World Home Theatre Festival online."

But one can only find out if people would be willing to watch theatre online, instead of films and series which are designed/produced using extensive budgets specifically for digital platforms.

"It will be starting on May 10," he said hopefully. "We can only know if people would be willing to do that once it launches, but I'm hopeful."

He added that his aim was to digitise theatre, considering that it can help engage viewers from around the globe. "I'm thinking of involving the daily wagers as well, the light, camera, set and props crew. If things work out, we can create new employment opportunities for them inside our homes," Sharma opined.

In the end he prayed that the relationships between India and Pakistan improved so artists could collaborate without the fear of being treated like culprits.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Punjab's Theatre industry requests govt to lift restrictions for Eid shows</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2214520/punjabs-theatre-industry-requests-govt-lift-restrictions-eid-shows</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2214520/punjabs-theatre-industry-requests-govt-lift-restrictions-eid-shows#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 05 May 20 11:18:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2214520</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Artists are willing to take all necessary social distancing measures to ensure a safe and healthy production]]>
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				<![CDATA[Theatre fraternity in Lahore has appealed to the provincial government to lift lockdown restrictions during the Eid holidays.

In a letter to Punjab Cheif Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, a consortium of Lahore's theatre artists appealed that theatre spaces should be allowed to open for business during the upcoming holiday.

Producers argued that the lockdown that followed the Coronavirus outbreak has left professionals and particularly the daily wagers in dire straits.

"Daily wagers such as makeup artists, light operators, sound technicians, security guards, and people from various fields who earn on a daily basis to meet their needs are starving," an excerpt from the letter read.

Discussing the woes of the industry, producers maintained that despite the entertainment industry contributing a lot towards overall taxes, none of the stakeholders have been given any financial assistance by the government.

"Majority of our staffers are white-collar people who do not beg for a living or accept charity," the letter pointed out the tricky predicament majority of the people in theatre industry are currently faced with.

Furthermore, the producers assured the government that all productions would strictly comply with the relevant SOPs set by the government.

"We request you to grant permission to the theatre industry to operate on Eid ul Fitr with precautionary measures since this would allow the artists and people associated with theatres to resume work," the letter concluded.

According to senior stage producer Qaiser Javed, artists are usually able to double their earnings during the Eid season. "We usually start rehearsals and preparations for Eid shows in Ramazan.  For Eid shows, the top lot of theater artists and producers get millions of rupees for a two-week spell. However, if the lockdown persists we will incur huge losses. The government must consider the gravity of this situation," Javed told the Express Tribune.

Renowned theatre actor Megha talked about how the past two months have been hard on the families of artists.  "Majority of theatre artists live in rented accommodations and we all know how hard it can be to sustain without a fixed income. Eid Shows are important for us and government should give us relief by allowing us to stage our productions," Megha told the Express Tribune.

Over 75 commercial theatres in Punjab, including 15 halls in Lahore, have been shut since March 15, as per figures provided by Punjab Information and Culture Department. Around 12,000 thousand families are said to have been affected by the closure.

According to producers, major theatres have faced a loss of around Rs110 million, while smaller ones lost around Rs6 million in the 25 days since the lockdown.

“We have not seen such a slump in our entire careers," Producer Sabir Ali Gaga told The Express Tribune. "At the moment, producers and artists are suffering equally. Theatre is all we have as far as making a living is concerned. Keeping in mind the amount of money we have lost in the last month, I won’t be surprised if our poor artists resort to begging on the streets.”

Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below. 

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			<title>COVID-19:More than 12,000 jobs at risk in Punjab's theatre industry</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2195599/covid-19more-12000-jobs-risk-punjabs-theatre-industry</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2195599/covid-19more-12000-jobs-risk-punjabs-theatre-industry#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 20 08:06:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2195599</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Over 75 productions in Punjab have been shutdown]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Commercial theatre in Punjab has taken a major economic blow as a result of social restriction measures undertaken by authorities to curb the spread of coronavirus. Over 75 commercial theatres in Punjab, including 15 halls in Lahore, have been shut since March 15, as per figures provided by Punjab Information and Culture Department. Around 12,000 thousand families are said to have been affected by the closure.

According to producers, major theatres have faced a loss of around Rs110 million, while smaller ones lost around Rs6 million in the last 25 days. “Among the 75 theatres, almost 35 are those that were earning almost Rs7.5 million to Rs8 million for a 15-day spell. The big theatre groups earn an average income which is also Rs3.5 million to Rs4 million in other cities. Hundreds of people and their families are now suffering due to the coronavirus,” senior stage producer Qaiser Javed told The Express Tribune.

“It’s not only producers but artists and their families are also suffering due to the indefinite closure of theatre halls. I think this will lead to the government losing out on money as well since we contribute to taxes. With Ramazan just around the corner, there will be no shows for quite a while. We will be left hand to mouth.”



Producer Sabir Ali Gaga echoed his sentiments as he talked about the theatre community losing out on its bread and butter for a long period of time. “We have not seen this in our whole careers. At the moment, producers and artists are suffering equally. Theatre is all we know as far as our bread and butter is concerned. Keeping in mind the amount of money we have lost out on in the last month, I won’t be surprised if our poor artists resort to begging on the streets,” he said. “Most producers had already paid advance to book halls and venues. We don’t know how we will be able to cover our losses.” 

Meanwhile, chairman of Artist Equity Islamabad, Asma Butt, is of the opinion that the government should step in with a relief project aimed at theatre artists. “There are a thousand families that will die if the government does not offer a special package for commercial theatre artists,” she stated. “Me and some renowned local artists have personally witnessed the condition performers of small productions are currently in and don’t have words to explain their plight. However, I believe that there is only so much we can do and the government will eventually have to step in.



Certain stage performers are faced with a tough dilemma in these circumstances. According to a dancer who sought anonymity, applying for financial packages for them is not as simple as it sounds. “There are a large number of dancers who are supporting their families by performing in theatres. Now all of them are sitting at home and no one is considering our situations. We cannot apply for financial packages, nor can we beg on the streets as we are among the major names of the theatre community. All we can do is wait for theatres to open up once again.”

Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below. ]]>
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			<title>Ajoka Theatre to launch a YouTube channel amid lockdown</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2193535/ajoka-theatre-launch-youtube-channel-amid-lockdown</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2193535/ajoka-theatre-launch-youtube-channel-amid-lockdown#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 20 11:13:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[​ Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2193535</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Digital theatre is the new thing and online theatre classes are also part of the plan]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Ajoka Theatre will soon be launching its own YouTube channel to develop online contact with its audience and followers, stated a press release.

The decision was taken during an online meeting of Ajoka’s core group on the occasion of the World Theatre Day.

The Ajoka Theatre YouTube channel will post memorable snippets of the troupe’s work over the past 36 years, including entertaining songs, dramatic scenes and biting satires. Short versions of documentaries produced by Ajoka Productions and episodes from Ajoka’s popular TV serials will also be shown on it.



What’s more, Ajoka Institute has decided to conduct online classes to overcome the problems created by the lockdown and the spread of the novel coronavirus. The first online writing class was held on Sunday, April 5 and the team is planning to kick off online performing arts classes soon too.

Read: Ajoka Theatre documentary ‘Pakistan’s Best Kept Secret: Lahore Museum’ screened at Oxford University

“Ajoka is used to meeting challenges and overcoming hurdles. In the past, the dictatorial regimes and non-state extremists tried to prevent Ajoka from conveying the message of peace and progress through performing arts."



"Now it is the unseen hideous enemy called corona and we are ready to meet this challenge head-on,” Nirvaan Nadeem, director of Ajoka Institute said. “We are sure our online and offline audience will continue supporting us.”

Not just YouTube but Ajoka Theatre productions will also be available on Facebook and Instagram. The first bit posted is a little-known but amazing kaafi by Bulleh Shah from Ajoka’s masterpiece play Bulha. The singers are Javed Bashir and Party and the composition is by Mian Sheharyar.

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			<title>#Coronavirus: Comedian Ken Shimura becomes first Japanese celebrity to die from COVID-19</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2187116/coronavirus-comedian-ken-shimura-first-japanese-celebrity-die-virus</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2187116/coronavirus-comedian-ken-shimura-first-japanese-celebrity-die-virus#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 20 05:03:16 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[REUTERS]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2187116</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Tokyo confirmed 68 new coronavirus cases alone in just one day]]>
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				<![CDATA[Japanese comedian Ken Shimura, who had been hospitalised after being infected with the new coronavirus, has died, becoming the first Japanese celebrity to die of the virus.

His death, late on Sunday, set off widespread grief among fans.

Shimura, 70, one of Japan’s best-known comedians with a career dating back to the early 1970s, reportedly had lung cancer surgery in 2016. He developed a fever and respiratory problems on March 19 and was hospitalised, media said.

Dominating the television comedy scene in the 1970s and 1980s, one of his best-known acts was a clueless feudal lord with a face painted white with thick black eyebrows.

Fans took to social media to lament his death, which some said should serve to highlight what a major threat the coronavirus actually is.

“So very sad. It’s probably bad to say this, but I hope his death helps Japanese, who still don’t seem to be taking this virus seriously, start to change their attitude,” one Twitter user wrote.

Prince William shares a vital message amid coronavirus pandemic

The government’s top spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, echoed that.

“I pray for the repose of his soul but want to say on top of this that we are at a very critical period and need to make every effort to prevent the spread of this disease,” he told a regular news conference.

Japan on Sunday confirmed 68 new cases in Tokyo alone, a record daily increase for the capital, taking the country’s overall tally to more than 1,800 infections, with 55 deaths as of Sunday afternoon, excluding 712 cases and 10 deaths from a cruise ship that was moored near Tokyo last month, NHK said.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>World Theatre Day celebrations marred by coronavirus</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2185482/world-theatre-day-celebrations-marred-coronavirus</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2185482/world-theatre-day-celebrations-marred-coronavirus#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 20 11:23:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2185482</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Insiders lament cancelled shows, poor state of the industry overall]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Friday, March 27, marked World Theatre Day but as expected, the outbreak of coronavirus across major countries of the world has put a damper on the celebrations.

Like many other forms of performing arts, theatre too has taken a hit in the pandemic, with the world’s largest stage – NYC’s Broadway – also drawing curtains on productions and performances for the time being. Considering this, it is no surprise that all events and shows scheduled for World Theatre Day across the globe could not see the light of day.

But here in Pakistan, stakeholders are dealing with more than just the after-effects of a deadly pandemic. Artists employed in the theatre industry repeatedly say that the government is complacent about it, often completely overlooking its importance as a driver of social change and a medium of artistic expression.



Pakistani theatre has a rich history and currently, the country boasts of two forms of theatre: parallel and commercial. According to sources, both forms are suffering tremendously. The latter is not doing well despite the work of some well-known parallel theatre groups like the Ajoka Theatre and Azad Theatre.

“The state of parallel theatre in Pakistan is akin to a patient that is dependent on a ventilator for survival and this is only due to the negligent behaviour of the governments over many years,” theatre artist Afzal Nabi told The Express Tribune.

Ajoka Theatre co-founder and writer Shahid Nadeem also echoed Nabi’s disappointment at the timing of the World Theatre Day. “It’s unfortunate that this day came at a very troublesome time, when coronavirus is wreaking havoc all over the world. It’s especially sad because it was extremely significant for Pakistan and Ajoka Theatre since the International Theatre Institute (ITI) had invited me to write and speak for the world theatre community,” he said.

Shahid’s message, titled ‘Theatre as a Shrine’, has been distributed via ITI affiliates to over 90 countries and has been translated to almost 60 languages. It aims to highlight the spiritual aspect of performing arts with reference to Ajoka Theatre experimenting with a new form of theatre, which the group refers to as ‘Sufi Theatre.’

“The honour bestowed on me was not just a great one for me or for Ajoka but for the entire Pakistani theatre community and Pakistan itself. It would cement the fact that parallel theatre in Pakistan has come a long way from the agit-prop days in the Ziaul-Haq era,” said Shahid.  “Needless to say, the work of parallel theatre groups like Ajoka has inspired many young artists-cum-activists to play a useful role in society and meet the challenges posed by authoritarian state and non-state actors.”



He also added that his message would be read and published by major theatre groups all over the world and the Ajoka Theatre marked the occasion by releasing a recorded version of it on March 26.

But alas, the reality on ground is bleak. “Theatre could not flourish to its maximum extent due to the lack of support from relevant authorities and today, majority of the stakeholders are at risk. Even though there are many art councils, there are hardly any performances and of course, when there are no performances, how will the industry flourish?” questioned Nabi.

“Right now, one of the biggest issues is the fact that many families avoid attending commercial performances due to vulgarity. We saw a golden time around two decades ago but that’s a thing of the past,” said senior artist Sheeba Butt. She also requested the government to provide welfare to artists who have worked in theatre their whole lives and contributed decades to the industry.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below]]>
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			<title>World Puppetry Day: Where does the art form stand in Pakistan today?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2180840/world-puppetry-day-art-form-stand-pakistan-today</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2180840/world-puppetry-day-art-form-stand-pakistan-today#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 21 Mar 20 10:06:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2180840</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Veterans of the art form discuss the plight of it in the country]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[March 21 marks the World Puppetry Day around the globe. Amid the chaos caused by a global pandemic, the artists involved in this unique craft hope to bring light to the importance of it – not just for entertainment, but also social awareness.

In line with celebrations around the globe, World Puppetry Day is celebrated with much fanfare in the Pakistani puppetry industry as well, however, this year is not quite the same. Much like other entertainment industries, puppetry has also suffered due to the coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan.

Where in past years a festival was routinely organised to keep the art alive, this year it could not see the light of day – the threat of coronavirus is too real to ignore, hence the festival, organised by the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop has been cancelled.



“In every era and period of humanity, puppet art performances have been consistent. This form of art has played an important role for awareness, entertainment, education and guidance of society,” says renowned writer, Tasneem Pirzada. Her words echo reality – puppetry has long been a staple in Pakistan as well. Many puppet art groups from around the world have even performed at various festivals in the country, including at the World Performing Arts Festival organised by Rafi Peer Theatre Group.

“It’s always been a big source of entertainment in every society – when people become sick and there is no other form of entertainment or expression, it aids the society,” adds Tasneem. However, one sad reality, as she notes, are the restrictions imposed on art forms in the country which severely affect this particular art form.

"Puppet art faces major issues in our country - there are many problems at different levels in promoting it too. This is a beautiful art-form but we don’t do enough for it here for its promotion - we don’t even train people in this regard,” says Sadaan Pirzada, CEO of Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop. Sadaan’s organisation is perhaps the only one working to promote this unique art in the country, despite the challenges it faces.



“Rafi Pir did a lot for the promotion of puppet art and we have brought delegates and puppet art groups here in the past. We are still doing our best - we brought in almost 215 puppet performing groups from around 40 countries of the world here recently and have also established a puppet museum. Not just that, but we also perform in far flung areas of the country for the sake of entertainment. We are doing the best in our capacity,” explains Sadaan.

“The government is hesitant to fund the promotion of puppetry and we are moving forward on our own efforts. It is our passion, thus we are doing the effort to revive puppet culture here without any support. However, it is high time that we realise that puppet art can be a big source to create awareness in our society,” he adds.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below]]>
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			<title>COVID-19: Cinemas, theatres in Pakistan to close down</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2176090/covid-19-cinemas-theatres-in-pakistan-to-close-down</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2176090/covid-19-cinemas-theatres-in-pakistan-to-close-down#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 14 Mar 20 09:23:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category><category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2176090</guid>
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				<![CDATA[The decision comes as an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country]]>
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				<![CDATA[Cinema houses, theatres and performing arts departments across the country have been asked to close down all activities till the first week of April in the wake of a global pandemic.

The move comes after more cases emerged in the country over the week, leading to closure of educational institutions and barring of audiences from the ongoing Pakistan Super League matches at stadiums.

Following the decision, commercial theaters in the Lahore closed down their halls, postponing or canceling all scheduled theatre plays. "All sorts of cultural activities including programs for children's and upcoming events at all Alhamra halls are cancelled,” said Subha Sadiq, official spokesman of Alhamra Arts Council.

Not just the Alhamra Arts Council, but also the Punjab Arts Council and all major Arts Councils in big cities have canceled their upcoming events and programs. All major cinemas across the countries have also closed doors.



The decision will also halt the release of Sakina Samo's upcoming film Intezar and the Pakistan Fashion Week among other big events. The special screening of drama serial Ehd-e-Wafa, scheduled for Sunday, was also postponed. The Punjab Festival which was scheduled to take place on Saturday also saw a postponement. The event was to feature the Chief Minister of Punjab as a chief guest.

"The new release date for the film Intezar will be announced after the opening of cinema halls,” said a Distribution Club official.

Senior theatric Shiba Butt expressed her concern about the situation, saying, "There are many artists, especially the lower staff at cinemas and theatres who are worried as it is the only source of income for them. But security is important so we are supporting the government.”

The closure will also impact the already struggling cinema industry. "We are already facing issues due to non-availability of the films and now the closure of cinemas will also increase our financial issues,” said Jahanzaib Ali, Manager of Super Cinema Lahore.

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