A moment of silence

No special programmes arranged to mark ‘World Theatre Day’ in Lahore

LAHORE:

Theatre-enthusiasts across the globe celebrated World Theatre Day on March 27. First observed in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute, many countries have been arranging special programmes to celebrate the milestones of theatre every year since. Despite theatre gradually picking up pace in Pakistan, it was unfortunate that no special programme was arranged in celebration of the day.

With a mission to strengthen the powerful tool of communication and entertainment, local artists pledged to work hard to revive the tradition in Pakistan, calling for government support in reviving both commercial and parallel theatre. Demanding maximum support for cultural activities on World Theatre Day, Madiha Gohar told The Express Tribune, “The government should consider the situations and problems with theatre. For its promotion, theatre lessons should be started at universities and colleges.”

She added, “There are only few people who are working for the promotion of theatre in country and there is shortage of good writers and directors,” she added. She insisted that the government should support all those who are associated with theatre on priority.

For the promotion of parallel theatre and drama in Pakistan, Rafi Peer Theatre has been making constant efforts. The Peerzada family has been promoting theatre for a while now, but they are in the hope that the government will offer support after terrorism struck the cultural scene.

“It is a tradition across the world that national theatres represent any nation but there is no national theatre in Pakistan. The country’s government supports theatre around the world but there is no such practice here. This is the reason why parallel theatre is dying,” said Usman Peerzada, chairman of Rafi Peer Theatre.

Criticising commercial theatre, he lamented about how it has converted into night clubs and hasn’t been playing a role in creating awareness about the dire need for the revival of theatre in the country with the government’s aid.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2015.

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