RAWALPINDI: As part of the Rawalpindi Arts Council’s (RAC) campaign to revive family theatre, which began on Friday, the council will stage various performances for the next week.

On Saturday night, the council had arranged a family comedy titled Mian Biwi aur Wo, written by Yar Mohammad and directed by Anjum Abbasi, while Masood Khawaja served as executive director.

Guests of honour at the play included political and social worker Mubashir Abbasi, PML-N leaders Dr Irshad Ahmed and Naheed Manzoor and the RAC resident director.

The cast included Masood Khawaja, Saeed Anwar, Yar Mohammad, Saleem Afandi, Sapna Shah, Jhalak Ali and Anjum Abbasi.

The play was based on social and domestic issues that can erupt due to dishonesty. Mr Khawaja told Dawn the play aimed to tell people how to end problems between spouses.

He said it was the duty of men not to lie to their wives and to discuss their problems with their wives, and at the same time, women should trust their husbands. Mr Khawaja said trust and truth brought families together, which is the message the play wanted to send.

On Friday, the RAC campaign began with a performance of Dekh Magar Pyar Se, which was rooted in traditional family values about how to handle problems with children.

The play was written and directed by M. Aslam Bhatti, and featured Lubna Shahzadi, Naeem Bubba, Jhalak Ali, Ahsam Awan, Nayyab, Naeem Tota, Asia Bibi, Mehboob Elahi, Neelum, Arshad Khan and Shams Iqbal.

RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed told Dawn the council wanted to promote family-friendly dramatic performances and local artists.

Mr Ahmed said young people from the Potohar region were talented, and the RAC was trying to explore their talent.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2017