Mahesh Bhatt, global artists to grace Karachi stage despite security threats

NAPA’s International Theatre Festival will commence on March 12

KARACHI: It is that time of the year when thespians from across the globe take centre stage at the National Academy of Performing Arts’ (Napa) International Theatre Festival. Preparations for the second edition of the 20-day event, which commences on March 12, are under way.

Zain Ahmed, artistic director of Napa Repertory Theatre (NRT), told The Express Tribune about how this year’s festival will be different from last year’s. Citing the play Among Fog, a joint effort by Napa graduates and German director-choreographer Brigrl Gjoka, he said, “There are more collaborative projects between Napa students and international artistes this time around to ensure that the learning process is greater.” He added that Gjoka flew from Germany and worked with Napa graduates for a month to create the play which will feature actors and dancers from Napa.

Amid a host of expectedly promising performances, a play that Ahmed feels has all the earmarks of success is Daddy, as it is set to be presented by noted Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. “I think the show will be sold-out,” Ahmed said, owing to Bhatt’s star power. Daddy has been directed Dr Danish Iqbal and is a stage-adaptation of the 1989 eponymous film, which was directed by Bhatt.

The festival which will host drama troupes from England, India, Germany and the United States, will also showcase local talent. Pakistani troupes Azad Theatre, Ajoka, Tehrik-e-Niswan along with the academy’s own group are set to perform at the festival. Ahmed described last year’s festival as a “learning experience” for the hosts, highlighting that the team is better equipped to cater to the audiences this year. “We didn’t know what sort of performances would work and the ones which won’t last time,” he stated.



Of the festival’s line-up, Ahmed said it will feature exciting plays, such as Museum of Species in Danger. Written by Akbar Chaudhry of Lol Waalay fame, the play comprises an Indo-Pak cast. He shared that once the scripting for the play is complete, both teams will rehearse for it separately and will have “seven days to pull it off” after they come together. Ahmed added that the comedy play attempts to explore the “hypocrisies in our society that aren’t visible to us as we are living them.”

In response to criticism that the festival only presents contemporary and experimental theatre as opposed to commercial plays, such as Pawnay 14 August, Ahmed said, “The purpose of the festival is to showcase non-commercial work, where there is no pressure to earn money. Festivals are generally meant to explore new ideas.” He stated that he would have ‘loved’ to have the Pawnay 14 August team onboard, but they were unavailable, and also approached Nida Butt’s theatre group but the director-choreographer had nothing ready.

It has not been all smooth-sailing for the organising committee as they had a tough time convincing drama troupes to come to Pakistan. Ahmed said several troupes had applied for the festival but backed out in the wake of the Peshawar school massacre. This year the festival’s duration has been reduced to 20 days from last year’s 25 days.

“It got exhausting for the staff and people who were working [for the festival] the last time. The (backstage work) everyday became tiring for everyone,” Ahmed explained.  Initially, Napa had planned the festival to be two weeks long but increased it to 20 days in an attempt to “pack in as much material as possible.”

The opening ceremony of the festival, which marks the 10th anniversary of Napa, will feature a tribute performance by third-year Napa students. “They will select scenes from different plays that have been performed at Napa, over the last 10 years and will weave them into a story,” Ahmed said.