'Twice Upon a Time' retells Urdu, German stories

Play puts spin on classic Urdu, European tales in collaboration with German Embassy

JHELUM:

Raja Nobhar khan Theatre Wallay, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, successfully staged its latest theatre production, "Do Dafa Ka Zikr Hai" (Twice Upon a Time), based on traditional German and Pakistani tales, at the Associate College for Women in Dina Tehsil, Jhelum District on October 23.

The Urdu play, designed for children and equally engaging for adults, transported audiences into a world of creativity, humour and reflection, where familiar tales were retold in surprising and thought-provoking ways. The performance blended storytelling, music and movement to explore timeless themes of imagination, empathy and cultural connection.

Do Dafa Ka Zikr Hai was co-written and co-directed by Fizza Hasan and Safeer Ullah Khan, featuring a talented ensemble cast including Usama Ahmad Khan, Saboora Marium, Ramil Aftab, Ahad Ali Siddiqui, Adil Yousuf, Faizan Ahmad, Sahar Saqib, and Zia Rehman. The production team included Fahad Tariq, Karum Kayani, and Mustafa Hasan.

The fascinating show drew an enthusiastic and diverse audience, including schoolchildren, teachers, families, educators and local officials as well as artists and theatre enthusiasts. Laughter, curiosity and applause filled the hall as children delighted in the playful storytelling and vibrant performances. Adults, meanwhile, praised the production for its layered narrative, creative staging, and the way it invited reflection on storytelling traditions and shared human experiences. Many audience members expressed appreciation for the opportunity to enjoy a high-quality, family-friendly production in Jhelum.

Speaking on the occasion, German Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Arno Kirchhof, commended Theatre Wallay for its creative contribution to cultural exchange and youth engagement. He remarked that, "Theatre Wallay brings Pakistani and German traditional tales alive together and thereby shows us how culturally intertwined South Asia and Europe are. I am grateful for this wonderful experience!"

Theatre Wallay Founder and artistic director Fizza Hasan expressed gratitude for the continued support of the German Embassy and shared, "Storytelling is as old as man; people have always told stories and listened to them. In these times of technology and AI, no one is telling stories to our children anymore and they are losing their ability to listen and to imagine.