National Academy of Performing Arts Repertory Theatre (NRT) is all set to bring its first theatre production of the year — an adaptation of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons.
The play has been directed by director NRT Rahat Kazmi and adapted in urdu as ‘Jo Chalay Tau Jaan Sae Guzar Gaye’ by Babar Jamal a graduate of the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa). It will star Pakistan’s veteran actor and Napa faculty member Talat Hussain.
According to the institute’s press release, All My Sons centres on the rapacious capitalism, which is often soul scarring and leaves one guilt ridden. The main character in the play reflects the very idea. He goes through the process of accumulating wealth but in that very process loses his first born. He has to live with his guilt and when confronted by his younger son, he has no choice left but to exit.
The play also stars Nimra Bucha, Aymen Tariq, Paras Masroor, Adnan Jafer, Samena Nazeer and Hamad Sartaj. It will open for the public on the April 2 running till April 10 at the Arts Council auditorium.
“We have decreased the ticket prices even more this time. Rs600 is the maximum whereas students get a 50 per cent discount,” Rahat Kazmi told journalists at the press conference.
Talking about the contemporary play ‘Run For Your Wife’ by Lush troupe, Kazmi said: “The ticket is priced at Rs1,500, they are not even professionals whereas we have professionally trained actors and someone like Talat Hussain performing. Even then, we haven’t raised the ticket price”.
Adding to this, Talat Hussain said: “You should appreciate Napa’s effort of lowering ticket prices when the petrol prices are increasing”.
Napa faculty members Arshad Mehmud and Anjum Ayaz urged the press to be a lenient when reviewing plays since it affects the number of people that show up. Given that they are attempting to promote the industry the media should support them.
Theoretically we completely agree with what was said at the press meet, however, one must question the level of support and patronage that the veterans are pledging by making such statements.
NAPA to seek copyright permission
“All My Sons” is a copyright protected play like any other intellectual property in the world and rights remain with the playwright till 50 years after his or her death, when they can be owned by an estate.
When inquired about the copyrights of the play, it was revealed that the institute has not yet asked for the permission to perform it. However, Napa plans to contact the Dramatists Play Service to take permission to perform the play.
“I myself am a member of the copyrights board of Pakistan and Napa has been very particular in taking permission from playwrights who are alive or in case it has been less that 50 years after his or her death,” Arshad Mehmud told The Express Tribune.
“When we performed Dario Fo’s ‘Can’t Pay Won’t Pay’ as ‘Jungle Mae Mungal Bazaar’, we contacted his son and got formal permission from him to stage the play. He was supposed to attend a performance too as he was visiting Pakistan but his trip was restricted to the Italian embassy in Islamabad,” Mehumd added.
Giving more instances of buying copyrights, Mehmud said: “I personally spoke to Tanya, Vijay’s daughter for the performing rights of Vijay Tendulkar’s Khamoshy ‘Yeh Adalat Hai’. She asked for INRs50,000 but I told her that we can only arrange PKRs25,000 which she agreed upon. One of the guilds in India was approached for Mohan Rakesh’s ‘Aadhay Adhooray’.
“We try our best to get copyrights of all productions and will do the same with All My Sons.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2011.
1714129906-0/Clint-Eastwood-(1)1714129906-0-270x192.webp)
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ