ISLAMABAD: Farooq Qaiser took a jab at moral and ethical corruption in society, in his new stage production Chaar Laachaar, performed at the National Art Gallery on Thursday.

The play revolves around the household of a retired government servant with four unemployed sons and an intelligent, working daughter.

The play, a nearly an hour and 45 minute comedy, was written by Mr Qaiser, who produced the famous Uncle Sargum character. In Chaar Laachaar, Sargum makes life difficult for his sons for being jobless deadbeats, but their sister, a working woman, seems to annoy the brothers the most.

The brothers hatch a plan to get their sister married and out of their lives, and advertise her marriage in the personal ads. However, the advertisement is published under ‘properties for rent’ and people who come to the house looking to rent it are treated as prospective fiancés for Sargum’s daughter.

Meanwhile, Sargum’s daughter wants her beloved to ask for her hand – who does come for her, but in the end makes off with the bribe one of her brother’s offers him to leave their sister alone. Sargum’s daughter’s feelings of betrayal towards her beloved and everyone else reflect the main theme of the play: that the fabric of society and morality have deteriorated.

The play began with Uncle Sargum and Maasi Museebtay performing a song together, and the slapstick humour had the audience in stitches. The stage was simply set, depicting the inside of the characters’ home, and most of the actors were familiar faces.

“We expected it to be this colourful, with jokes every two minutes,” said Sulman Agha, who, like many others, has admired Mr Qaiser since his childhood.

“The play seemed deeply considered and was soundly constructed, and Farooq Qaiser always lives up to his reputation for being hilarious,” said Ayaz Haq, another audience member.

One of the biggest challenges for the cast was to live up to the expectations of the playwright. Suleman Sumi, who has performed in Mr Qaider’s plays for a decade, was undoubtedly the funniest actor in stage in his role as Kadoo.

Pakistan National Council of Arts director general, renowned painter and sculptor Jamal Shah said: “Serious theatre has always played a significant role in bringing reforms and change in social attitudes and is considered a source of change throughout history.”

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2016