‘Taming of the Shrew’ hits a hurdle

Pakistani production stands less tamed and more confused about its future.

LAHORE:

Our high hopes for the still underway but much anticipated local production “Taming of the Shrew” featuring actor Nadia Jamil and internet sensation Osman Khalid Butt has plummeted way too soon. The production, which was being put together by Theatrewalay and Kashf Foundation, was set to represent Pakistan at the Globe to Globe, an international theatre festival which showcases multilingual renditions of William Shakespeare’s plays. However, the Pakistani play which could have represented Pakistani theatre internationally and proved to be a major milestone for the country, is facing financial difficulties.

Just the fact that the play had been selected as one of the 37 productions which would represent every one of Shakespeare’s plays in a different language over six weeks, was a big achievement. Sadly, the lack of financial support for the production is hindering its current preparations, which is scheduled to take place on May 25 and 26 in London and is depending primarily on non-profits and expatriate funding for support.

What sets it apart?

The play features several major theatre personalities and also plans to provide the rare experience of a live band which is being directed by music director Valerie Kaul. However, all these preparations may be cut midway due to the unavailability of finances for the tickets and visas needed for the musicians and cast to travel abroad.

UK-based producer Susannah Haris Wilson, who is working on “Taming of the Shrew”, spoke about the production’s difficulties, “Other companies who are participating are not coming across the kind of problems we are currently facing. We need to represent the new breed of talented Pakistani actors, otherwise we will rob them off their true potential.” To make theatre more relevant to the country, Wilson advocates that it needs to be added to the academics of the country so that performing arts can have a valid space for expression within society.

On the other hand, Haissam Hussain, the director of the production, who has developed a name for himself through television with his aesthetic prowess and understanding of context, said about the production, “Whether its film, television or theatre, everything has to be commercially viable. Theatre has to be commercial so that it sells and we all earn money from it. This play is not a student project or a passion project.”

Hussain added that “Taming of the Shrew” could catapult a revival of English theatre in Pakistan.  But unlike musicals such as “Phantom of the Opera” or “Chicago”, who managed to secure corporate sponsorships, the same has not been the case with “Taming of the Shrew”. He said, “If corporations are supporting musicals, it’s a shame that they are not supporting this Shakespearean play even though it will represent the country positively abroad. We require the same support that has been extended to musicals.”

Countries participating in Globe to Globe

While the local production struggles to find some financing, two of the biggest theatre companies of India, which are also part of the Globe to Globe this year, are being supported by the media and have received overwhelming response from the local public.

But when it comes to the Pakistan production “Taming of the Shrew”, which has received little interest from the public and faced considerable financial constraints. Additionally, the international media has placed it in the same category as the troupes from war-torn regions such as Southern-Sudan or Afghanistan who have also made it to the festival.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2012.