Artistes hail theatre reopening

LAHORE:

News of the government'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.

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

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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.

"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."

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 10^th, 2020.