December 4, 2004

Entering through the doors of the Finance and Trade Centre (FTC) Auditorium, one is immediately transported into a whole new world, that of the famous Paris Opera House. From waiting long hours in the rush near Shahrah-i-Faisal, the beautiful and elaborate sets provide a sense of relief and soothing.

There was only a week left to the grand performance and the tension was mounting. The graceful dancers (Anushee, Zehra, Sameera, Sameeha, Anam and Natasha) all from the Karachi Grammar School were found on the stage, as usual, mastering their steps for what seemed like the 85th time. I was blessed by their words of wisdom when I was enlightened that this has been an eventful journey for all of us with its respective ups and downs. Meeting new people from all backgrounds have helped us to broaden our horizons”.

At a far corner of the stage a team from the Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture led by Taiyaba, consisting of Siveen, Samina, Ania, Sharmeen, Sheema, Suroor and Hasan were relentlessly trying to decorate the massive sets.

Suddenly, a loud clanking noise grabbed my attention. As I turned around. I found two prominent members of the cast. Omar Askari and Saad Choudri practicing their much talked-about sword fight to perfection, with the former playing the Phantom and the latter depicting the young Christine Dave’s love interest, Raoul.

Oh but wait! Where is the man behind it all? Director Shah Sharahbeel (Arabic for facilitator of goodness) who had been shuttling between Lahore and Karachi was caught eating slims (his latest discovery), talking on his cell phone or helping one of the actors with their scenes. While talking to him I discovered that he loves working with raw people and transforming them into professionals. He has a knack of making perfect decisions. No wonder his cast, though comprising amateurs is the true definition of perfectionists.

Working odd hours for the last two months, the actors had certainly mastered themselves into becoming the characters they portrayed. Little do many people know that Sharahbeel also had a tiny personal affiliation with the play since he himself could relate to the Phantom once in his life. To him the people of Karachi were very friendly and involved. “We were like one big happy family. Never was I made to feel like an outsider even though I am not a karachite myself. And what made me even happier was the fact that I saw parents getting involved. Remarkable!” Well. Sharahbeel truly did justice to his name when he bought this play to Karachi in aid of The Citizens Foundation. His “right hand”, Sana Lutfullah a second year student at the Karachi Grammar School played a large part in this play as the Assistant Director. Managing everything during Sharahbeels absence. Sana’s immense contribution cannot be left unmentioned.

The lights managed by Rabia and Zain, both from A levels were not only “hard to manage but also tedious”. Assigned with this duty just three days prior to the opening night, this responsibility according to Rabia, initially appeared to be “a challenge but eventually grew into an unforgettable experience”. Badar Rais, also the Assistant Producer, put in his immense hard work backstage. Managing the props, light cues and a lot more, Badar truly proved to be an asset in this play.

As the days grew closer. the excitement, anticipation and nervousness grew parallel to each other. Costumes had to be arranged, makeup had to be brought in, numerous props had to be created. lights and music had to be tested, and gestures, lines and facial expressions had to be perfected. After working tirelessly for six hours the cast and crew comprising about 35 people (all from Karachi) were finally exhausted. In came the saviour Sofan Sultan a.k.a Gerard, the composer of the Paris Opera House, and his wonderful cooking. The food seemed to vanish in less than 15 minutes and everyone was back to work.

The unit comprised students from the Karachi Grammar School, Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture, Lecole, Lawyers, bankers and even teachers, all of whom joined hands to bring this play to life in the cosmopolitan city of Karachi, all for a very worthy cause.

And finally, the big day was there at last. Everywhere there was hustle bustle, various things had to be taken care of before the play started. There were only 30 minutes left and everyone was busy doing something or the other. Where Christine (Shandana Khan) was busy getting her makeup done the Phantom (Omar Askari) was found pacing up and down behind the backdrop, rehearsing his lines and trying to “get into character”. The clock struck 9:00 and the curtains went up.

The performances throughout, went smooth. Catching up with Gerard (Sofyan Sultan) after the play, I inquired about his experience of working in this play “It was a harrowing experience, rehearsals went on forever, empty stomachs and frustrations grew simultaneously, but as soon as the lights came on and the curtains went up, we had a great time”. According to him, the introduction of “fresh blood”, such as the dancers and sculptures (Shahrukh, Zaid, Meera, Kamila, Natasha, Zahra and Osman) really helped to liven up the backdrop.

Carlotta and Philip played by Nida Butt and Steve Michael respectively, provided comic relief in the play. Not only that but they also managed to become the audience’s favourite characters. For Steve, working in this play taught him a lot. “I got to learn a lot about how education for children is so essential. I’ve seen various people taking out their time and putting in their efforts for making education much simpler and readily available”. Nida, a human rights lawyer by profession felt that she had “learnt a lot about myself; this is the first project that I’ve committed myself to and it is finally being completed without any major disaster or disappointment. I love my character as it gives me an excuse to act boisterous and throw my weight around. I can always tell people — I’m getting into character”.

Shandana on the other hand felt that there was nothing in common between herself and her character, Christine — she is too much of a baechari. She’s always crying. I would never be friends with her.” Both Nida and Shandana described the cast as the Dream Team – “it is a perfect mix of people. Everyone is so different” And finally the Phantom himself. So what really made him take on this role? “Playing the Phantom was intense, involving and irresistible”. And what’s that one common thing between him and his character? “Well, we both fall madly and passionately in love” .......

Oh wait! What about Strawberry9 a.k.a Jilal Manzar. The only Lahori in the cast. “The highlight of my experience of working in this play was the fact that my picture was absent from the brochure. My name was there but there was no illustration.” Coming to Karachi for the first time he said that he loved the place. But the only annoying thing about this city is the fish trucks and the stench they leave behind”. Well, that’s Karachi for you pal.

This journey had surely been a fruitful and eventful one for many of us. Yet every journey has its own obstacles and turnings. No journey is complete without fights. Mothers waiting in the auditorium till 1:00 in the night, early morning work and school the next day. Thirty minute long parties held at the FTC itself, Peshawari ice creams and cheekoo shakes, unpredictable car rides. Pizzas and of course loss of props last minute. Working for charity was the prime motive for all. It instilled in us a sense of responsibility and goodwill, thus helping us to become better individuals in our own little ways. Talking to the audience after the play I heard nothing but praise.

A recent hit in Lahore and Islamabad it continued to create the same ‘magic’ here in Karachi. The hard work and dedication put in by every member of the unit paid off. The play which had been extended to October 12 (and played to full houses till the last day) certainly proved to be a runaway success.

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