LAHORE: A fabulous performance titled Me, My Mom and Sharmila by an American artist of Pakistani origin drew over 500 people to the National College of Arts on Tuesday night ending in a standing ovation for the show.

Fawzia Mirza brought smiles and giggles on the faces and tears in the eyes of an audience mainly comprising the youth. The acting was so spontaneous and flowing that none in the jam-packed hall felt the entire show was being performed by one person only.

The performance was organised by the Film and TV Department of the National College of Arts in collaboration with the US Consulate General in Lahore. Chief guest on the occasion was US Consul General Zachary V Harkenrider.

The story revolved around personal, nostalgic and emotional pieces from the life of Fawzia and her mother. How her mother used to copy veteran Bollywood heartthrob Sharmila Tagore and how fondly she used to discuss her favourite actress was effortlessly conveyed by the artist.

After the performance, Fawzia told Dawn she was a self-taught artist who had worked with some theatre groups in Chicago. She said: “Performing in Pakistan is like a dream come true.” She called the audience responsive and wonderful.

Fawzia said she had penned the script herself. To a question whether she would perform another show in Lahore or any other city, she said she had performed a show in Islamabad and two in Karachi and Lahore was her last stop in Pakistan.

Based in Los Angeles, Fawzia is an actor, writer, producer and educator and works in theatre, television, comedy and film. She writes and produces short films. She is a niece of poet Murtaza Barlas.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2015

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