ISLAMABAD:
The intimate Pakistan National Council of the Arts auditorium hall filled quickly as US Embassy delegates, Lush (Performing Arts Presentation, Talent, and Corporate Event Management) managers and guests arrived in droves to watch the opening night of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple.”
The production is a collaborative Pakistani and American effort-- directed by the US Embassy’s cultural envoy, Allen Nause and produced by Usama Qazi, CEO of Lush.
To kick of the much anticipated play, US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter made a specific analogy in his opening speech. He compared Pak-US relations to the play’s central characters. The two unwilling roommates with contrasting personalities but forced to be together.
“Like Oscar and Felix we can all learn to live together. This is a very effective pairing of American and Pakistani talent,” said Ambassador Munter.
The audience hooted as the 1965 Broadway tale of two divorced roommates living it out in New York- who are constantly at each other’s throats- came to life for the first time on a Pakistani stage.
Supported by a cast of poker players and two ‘British’ girls from the apartment upstairs, Oscar Madison (Atif Siddique) and Felix Ungar (Faisal Imtiaz) kept the energy alive, constantly butting heads over domestic issues.
“I’m ecstatic about the actors and the work they put in. Also, I’m amazed by the fabulous warmth of the audience,” said Allan Nause after the show, delighted it turned out so well. The play is set to continue at the PNCA till July 17.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2011.
COMMENTS (3)
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I've heard its boring, is it? :D :P
faixal imtiaz rox
There should be more & more stage plays in Pakistan.