Karachi theatre scene spotlights alumni talent

'Can We Talk?' showcases new platform for emerging directors, performers

KARACHI:

The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi has launched its new Alumni Series with a theatre production titled "Can We Talk?", marking a fresh platform for emerging directors and performers trained at its School of Visual and Performing Arts.

The initiative aims to stage between eight and ten productions annually, all led by the institution's alumni, as part of efforts to promote new voices in theatre.

Directed by Muhammad Sufi Ghous, "Can We Talk?" is an Urdu adaptation of The Zoo Story by American playwright Edward Albee. The play brings together a cast including Arman Sami, Farhan Rahim, Ayaz Ali, Waleed Khan and Azaib Khan, whose performances were met with strong audience appreciation.

The story centres on an unexpected encounter between two individuals, delving into themes of loneliness, identity and the complexities of human connection. It also weaves in a parallel narrative of a solitary developer constructing a digital world while grappling with unseen emotional barriers.

Audiences responded with enthusiastic applause, reflecting a positive reception to both the performances and the production's thematic depth.

The play opened on 17 April and will run until 19 April 2026.