Ahmed feels some of the play’s themes and concepts are relevant despite the play being penned almost 114 years ago. PHOTOS: PARAS MASROOR
KARACHI:
The National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) couldn’t have found a better way to round off the financial year than presenting a play helmed by one of Pakistan’s most renowned thespians, Zia Mohyeddin. The veteran artist will direct the upcoming play Dhaiti Deewarain, set to be staged from May 14 to May 31 at Napa.
“We always try to ensure that Zia sahab directs at least one play for the Napa Repertory Theatre (NRT) every year and that, for us, is our epic production. The play, which he will direct, is our best foot forward,” said Napa senior faculty member Arshad Mahmud. Interestingly, the play also marks the NRT acting debut of faculty member Khalid Ahmed, who has previously directed plays for the theatre company.
Based on Maxim Gorky’s play The Phillistines, Dhaiti Deewarain tells the story of a dominating father, a miserly man with dreams of becoming a mayor. He strictly follows traditions and his devoted wife keeps trying to prevent her husband and children from bickering but to no avail. The tense atmosphere in the house is exacerbated by a lodger, who goes through life inebriated, and another one, who is a widow and who the parents hate because they fear their son is besotted by her.
While discussing the play and his character in detail, Khalid said, “Gorky has written the story of a person, the character I’m portraying, who strictly abides by a code and makes his family follow it too.” He added, “A lot of changes take place around him, which also affect his family members. And he comes to a point where he feels he’s gradually losing control over his family,” stated Ahmed.
He feels some of the themes and concepts in the play, such as that of a man who is unable to come to terms with a society in transition, are still relevant, despite the play being penned almost 114 years ago in 1901. While sharing their experience of working with Mohyeddin, the cast and crew members praised the veteran artist for his commitment and attention to detail.
Cast member Nazrul Hasan, whose acting style is often compared to Mohyeddin’s, stated, “It’s an honour and a privilege for me to have worked with Zia sahab more than once. But this time, it is even more special for me as I will act alongside Khalid Ahmed.”
Assistant director Mesam Naqvi joked about how working with a legend like Mohyeddin is no easy feat. “You can tell how easy it is to work with Zia sahab by just looking at my beard. It’s overgrown, unkempt and has even gone a little white.” He added, “That aside, it is an enriching experience for anyone to work with Zia sahab. He pays so much attention to each character and his movements. Above all, for me to watch Khalid sahab perform while assisting Zia sahab was something special.”
The play features an ensemble cast, which includes some of Napa’s best performers, such as Khalid Ahmad, Nyla Jaffery, Paras Masroor, Ali Rizvi, Mesam Naqvi, Nazrul Hasan, Akbar Islam, Farhan Alam, Kulsoom Aftab, Shabana Hasan, Erum Bahir, Maha Ali, and Shumaila Taj.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2015.
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