Artistes vow to follow SOPs, educate people

Stage plays performed in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Okara, Sahiwal

LAHORE:

The provincial capital’s theatres have reopened after five months. Prayers were offered and sweets distributed in different theatres.

Stage plays were also performed in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Okara, Sahiwal and other cities.

Commenting on the development, leading stage actor, writer and director Naseem Vicky said that cinemas and theatres were closed down by the government to enforce the coronavirus prevention lockdown, due to which people associated with the field, including artistes and owners were affected. “But five months later, theatres closed due to the coronavirus have finally reopened and the fact that a large number of people turned up at the theatres on the first day is a proof that they were looking forward to this day. We have tried to follow the SOPs set by the government and also spread this message among the people through our performance.”

Comedian Qaiser Pia said the coronavirus pandemic had caused many problems but it had also taught the people a lot. “If we think about it, life will be very different now. As far as the opening of theatres is concerned, happiness is now apparent on the faces of those associated with the sector. The last few months have been very difficult for us and our fellow artistes and technicians. That is why we are grateful to the government for issuing orders to open the theatres.”

Actor Shahid Khan said that most of the artistes associated with theatre worked to bring smiles on the faces of troubled people through their art but the way the sector had been affected in the recent past had never happened before. “But now that the theatres are open, the artistes have forgotten their grief and started entertaining people.”

Qaiser Sanaullah Khan, chairman of the Theatre Producers Association, said arrangements had been made to implement the SOPs issued by the government. The use of sanitiser was required before entering the halls and no one is allowed to enter without a mask. All theatres in the city were urged to follow the SOPs. “We have ensured adequate spacing between seats in the theatre,” he said, adding that the SOPs that the government had announced would definitely be implemented.

“But I appeal to the Punjab government to increase the permitted timing and duration of stage dramas and cinema shows so that better work can be done in both the sectors,” he said.

Stage show producer Arshad Chaudhry vowed to entertain the people with standard dramas. “We want to provide a good environment for the people so that a large number of families can come here and enjoy. We will try our best to provide quality entertainment to the people and also to convey a message along with humour in our dramas so that they can take precautionary measures and keep their families safe as well.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2020.