December 07, 2008	Sunday	Zilhaj 8, 1429

The Napa Repertory Theatre (NRT) is presenting its sixth and last play of the year — Jangal Mein Mangal Bazaar — from December 12 at the Arts Council, Karachi.

National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) Director Rahat Kazmi gave a briefing about the play, as well as the NRT, to journalists at a press conference.

The play is the Urdu adaptation of Italian playwright Dario Fo’s “Can’t pay, wont pay”. The adaptation has been done by Babar Jamal, a Napa student.

The play has been directed by Rahat Kazmi. Salman Shahid has been given the main role.

Kazmi pointed out that since its establishment in 2008, the NRT has been casting Napa students, both new and old, in its plays, including Sufaid Khoon, Adhay Adhuray, Janay Pehchanay Ajnabi, Vakeel Sahib and Janab-i-Wala Mar Chukay Hain.

Asked why all Napa plays happened to be adapted, he said it seemed that no local literary figure was interested in writing a play or getting one dramatised. “We even offered Rs100,000 for a script and advertised the offer through brochures and website but without any response so far,” he said.

According to him, playwrights and script writers take interest when theatres are popular, but it is not, unfortunately. Therefore, we will have to remain content with adapted plays.

Theme

“Jangal Mein Mangal Bazaar’ focuses on how life should be changed. The play’s relevance to our times to a great extent is that Fario has highlighted the impact of inflation on the public with the message that “you will have to stand up for attaining your rights to get things done.”

Rahat Kazmi observed that commercial theatre was doing well in Lahore because of vulgarity, masala and humour. “If good plays are presented, the intelligentsia too will develop a habit of watching plays,” he argued.

Salman Shahid said he had recently returned from India in connection with “Ishqiya”, a movie he was doing with Naseeruddin Shah.

“This is my first play with Napa and I am doing four different roles in it,” he said.

“Jangal Mein Mangal Bazaar” will continue till Dec 21.