'Waiting for Godot' presented in Urdu

Qissa Khwani Theatrics performs adaptation of renowned English play

ISLAMABAD:

Qissa Khwani Theatrics opened its production of Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot' in Urdu on January 1 at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), Islamabad.

The opening performance received an enthusiastic and deeply appreciative response from audiences. The show was met with sustained attention, thoughtful engagement and warm feedback, reflecting the production's clarity of vision, disciplined performances and faithful engagement with Beckett's text. The audience response affirmed the relevance and resonance of this iconic work when presented with seriousness, precision and artistic integrity.

Regarded as one of the most influential plays of the twentieth century, Waiting for Godot remains a defining work of modern drama, probing human existence, hope, despair and the cyclical nature of time with stark wit and unsettling simplicity. Qissa Khwani Theatrics' presentation seeks to honour the philosophical depth and theatrical precision of Beckett's text while offering contemporary audiences a rigorous and compelling stage experience.

The production is directed by Hammad Zulfiqar, a theatre director known for his disciplined approach to performance, textual clarity, and actor centric staging. It is translated and produced by Ahmad Umar Ayaz, an award winning and critically acclaimed playwright and screenwriter whose original work has been staged across Pakistan at major venues including PNCA Islamabad, Alhamra Lahore and NAPA Karachi.

The cast includes Syed Qasim Shah, Muhammad Arslan, Hammad Zulfiqar, Abdul Basit Mushtaq, and Usman Shafique, a group of highly trained actors recognised for their technical precision, emotional depth and uncompromising commitment to craft. The ensemble demands of Waiting for Godot require exceptional balance and control, which the cast delivers with notable rigour.

The production is managed by Sundas Tanveer and Moazam Rafique, ensuring the operational and logistical execution of the production at a professional standard.