Run for your wife

It’s a farcical comedy which received an “overwhelming response”at the media night.

KARACHI:

Islamabad-based troupe, ‘The Lush company’ has pulled the Karachi crowd into theatres with their latest production: Run For Your Wife. It’s a farcical comedy which, according to its producer and co-director Usama Qazi, received an “overwhelming response”at the media night.  Many media houses and its representatives welcomed the performance whole-heartedly, he said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Qazi said: “We loved performing in Karachi, even though we have been doing plays in Islamabad for the past seven years, we know now that the Karachi audience is very receptive. People understand comedy and jokes, unlike the majority in Islamabad who are snobbish and near impossible to please!”

Qazi had initially drawn parallels between the city’s media to that of “a cobra, eager to bite” and was pleasantly surprised when they were well-received. When asked whether the ICC World Cup had affected ticket sales and sponsorship he said: “About 10 months back, who could have known what the dates of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 would be? It was back then that our schedule was finalised. But to answer the question, yes we are anticipating a dip in ticket sales -- especially on the day of the Pakistan match; thankfully the sponsors didn’t back-out! They are there but not in a big way because of the ongoing tournament.”

About allowing the play to be staged at the Arts Council auditorium, the president of the Arts Council Ahmed Shah said, “These days, we have allotted the auditorium for Run For Your Wife. I don’t believe the cricket world cup fever will affect the theatregoers especially after Pakistan’s recent performance, the charm has worn out. If at all, it will only be affected when Pakistan plays next.” Shah also said, “The response from the media was good on the opening night of the play and tonight the event has been pre-sold to Rotary International.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2011.