Performing for a cause: Detrimental effects of drugs resonate at play
‘Lost Control’ delves into the murky world of arts and drugs.
ISLAMABAD:
Thousands of people all around the world die from drug overdose every year. But what if a ‘state of mind was so precious for some that they wish to die for it’ was the million-dollar question that writer and director of the play — Lost Control — put before audiences on Sunday evening.
Being a huge fan of films like Requiem for a Dream, Shutter Island and Trainspotting, the dark play writer with bits of comedy, Saiban Khaliq, said he kept asking himself the question and ended up with the script of the play. Khaliq also plays the lead role of the drug addict and justified it with his flawless and powerful performance.
The story is about how art and drugs have mingled, and how artists drift into an unknown world just to get ideas and the comfort they desire. Questions such as ‘what if reality is not what you want and what if a sin becomes a necessity’ troubled the painter who comes to a conclusion that he cannot work when he is not under the influence of drugs.
Under these illusions, when the painter is unable to create anything he blames others for his failures. While living in a fake world for a short span of time, he remained surrounded by all kinds of delusions and slowly and gradually blends the line which separates the world of arts and drug abuse.
Being dependent on drugs, he fought with his mother, future wife, rivals, friends and others when they asked him to stop playing with his mind. His reply would always include arguments that they all should focus on his work instead of pointing fingers at his personality. “You don’t hate narcotics but the man,” he would argue.
His opponents would mock him by saying ‘he was only crazy for someone’s love’ leaving him with no option but to indulge himself in more addiction.
Flawless performances by the artists, comprising students-cum-entrepreneurs, from various institutes, backgrounds and professions made the crowd rise in standing ovation at the end of the show.
The head of the Anti-Narcotics Force, which was one of the sponsors of the play, admitted that what they could not spread through lectures, speeches and different campaigns was smoothly done by the performers.
In his speech, he said drug addiction was a disease which needed to be eliminated immediately because a single drug addict could be responsible for the destruction of his family, coming generations and the whole of society.
Overall, the play was not the cliché moral-based story where the finale advises it’s viewers about avoiding drugs. In fact, the play pushes the viewer to ponder and guess over the predicaments of life.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2014.
Thousands of people all around the world die from drug overdose every year. But what if a ‘state of mind was so precious for some that they wish to die for it’ was the million-dollar question that writer and director of the play — Lost Control — put before audiences on Sunday evening.
Being a huge fan of films like Requiem for a Dream, Shutter Island and Trainspotting, the dark play writer with bits of comedy, Saiban Khaliq, said he kept asking himself the question and ended up with the script of the play. Khaliq also plays the lead role of the drug addict and justified it with his flawless and powerful performance.
The play pushes the viewer to ponder and guess over the predicaments of life. PHOTOS: RIZWAN SHEHZAD/EXPRESS
The story is about how art and drugs have mingled, and how artists drift into an unknown world just to get ideas and the comfort they desire. Questions such as ‘what if reality is not what you want and what if a sin becomes a necessity’ troubled the painter who comes to a conclusion that he cannot work when he is not under the influence of drugs.
Under these illusions, when the painter is unable to create anything he blames others for his failures. While living in a fake world for a short span of time, he remained surrounded by all kinds of delusions and slowly and gradually blends the line which separates the world of arts and drug abuse.
Being dependent on drugs, he fought with his mother, future wife, rivals, friends and others when they asked him to stop playing with his mind. His reply would always include arguments that they all should focus on his work instead of pointing fingers at his personality. “You don’t hate narcotics but the man,” he would argue.
His opponents would mock him by saying ‘he was only crazy for someone’s love’ leaving him with no option but to indulge himself in more addiction.
Flawless performances by the artists, comprising students-cum-entrepreneurs, from various institutes, backgrounds and professions made the crowd rise in standing ovation at the end of the show.
The head of the Anti-Narcotics Force, which was one of the sponsors of the play, admitted that what they could not spread through lectures, speeches and different campaigns was smoothly done by the performers.
In his speech, he said drug addiction was a disease which needed to be eliminated immediately because a single drug addict could be responsible for the destruction of his family, coming generations and the whole of society.
Overall, the play was not the cliché moral-based story where the finale advises it’s viewers about avoiding drugs. In fact, the play pushes the viewer to ponder and guess over the predicaments of life.
The show, which was held from November 12 to 16, now moves to Lahore.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2014.