Azad Theatre has achieved a great number of feats in a short span of time. PHOTO: FILE
When Azad Theatre gained azadi from the Ajoka Theatre two years ago, it was faced with a multitude of challenges and a major question mark over its survival. Today, Azad Theatre stands tall, invalidating the doubts that surrounded its decision to separate from Ajoka. Ever since its inception, it has been one of the most rapidly growing theatre groups in Lahore. At such a young age, it has 12 full-scale productions under its belt.
Beginning from a one-room studio apartment behind Lahore’s Metropole Cinema on Abbot Road, Azad Theatre’s office is now situated a few streets away from the old one. The new office is larger, but the dream and mission behind the venture are even more so. Despite initial financial issues, Azad Theatre now has a much bigger team of members. Maintaining a muscular presence in the midst of polarised opinions regarding theatre — one, that theatre is dead. Two, that the only theatre left is distasteful and commercial — is no easy task.
“We have maintained a good presence; we are now considered to be one of the main theatre groups in Lahore,” says Sarfraz Ansari, the art director of the group. Despite the cost involved, the group was determined to introduce authentic theatre to the masses. With what was a feat in itself, Azad Theatre members took part in the production process of, and played supporting roles in, film Zinda Bhaag — Pakistan’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 86th Academy Awards.
The troupe’s effort to highlight societal ills and create harmony between traditional and modern theatre has lent impetus to their venture. It has performed contemporary and politically awakening street theatre projects. Their upcoming production, titled Cover-up, will take place from December 16 till December 18, at the al Hamra Arts Complex in Lahore. Revolving around the US-led War on Terror, the play will be directed by Malik Aslam. “We have maintained a balance by reviving our folk tales, but we also focus on contemporary issues to instil positive ideals in people,” he says.
The play’s script has been adapted from the first place winning story written by Sibghat Wyne for a theatre scriptwriting competition, that the group held in June. The group prides itself for providing newcomers with a platform to project their talent. “There are a very few writers in theatre, so we thought that by holding a competition, we could search for and introduce new talent through our plays,” explains Aslam. The story highlights the current status of the War on Terror and is set in the backdrop of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. The plot revolves around a revolutionary poet in Iraq, who is held in custody by authorities for civil disobedience when his daughter is accidentally killed at a security check post. The play then goes on to explore how authorities ‘cover-up’ the situation and try to justify the act by telling the father that such collateral damage happens during wartime. “I think it will be an interesting topic since it will try to address some of pertinent questions about the morality of war and vested interested, which have sustained conflicts,” remarks Aslam. The play will star Ansari and its supporting cast will include Usman Zia, Alia Abbassi, Nadeem Abbas, Zohaib Haider and Mohammad Waseem, among others.
Malik Aslam, Sarfraz Ansari. PHOTO: FILE
Ansari says that with each play, the pressure on Azad Theatre to consistently expand and increase its scale of production, is rising. “We are getting a good response both locally and internationally. Our goal is to continue to expand our group and keep improving with every project,” he states.
Bearing in mind the progress that the two-year-old group has made, Azad Theatre has undoubtedly emerged as an invaluable addition to Pakistan’s theatre scene.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2013.
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