ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) hosted a stage play titled Kyun Nikala written by Anwar Maqsood.

Kyun Nikala revolves around a Bengali servant, who works for a former minister of the PML-N and his critical views on the current political situation in the country.

Wassaam Waheed, who plays the role of a flirtatious veteran politician, is in demand because his party’s rule is up and members from PPP and PTI try to tempt him to join their camp. Chaudhry Sahib resists the temptation, believing that his party will eventually come to power.

The politician ignores his Bengali cook’s taunting, who tries to talk some sense into him and his wife’s advice to join PTI.

Then add NAB officers, political workers, a transgender person, a lawyer to this light-hearted critical view of double standards and a lot of fun to the play directed by Dawar Mehmood.

Sitting in the aisles and standing in the back the crammed PNCA auditorium audience watched the cast bringing it all home.

According to most in the audience, both Wassaam Waheed and Mohsin Ejaz as the politician and the cook out did this time compared to some previous performances.

And whether it was the charcoal faced lawyer, both the wives and the Sindhi worker, it was difficult to point out who performed better.

The characters supported one another, from Moshin Ejaz in the role of the Bengali cook, Tulin Hammad as second wife of the Chaudhry Sahib and the first wife Modi played by Rabbiya Shakil, the entire cast handled their roles; challenging tones with finesse.

The stage setting was Chaudhry Sahib’s lounge and was furnished with sofas, a rocking chair and photographs of Nawaz Sharif and Alama Iqbal.

An audience member felt the play lacked in what he described as the not-so-humorous script.

The stage play was a production by KopyKats which has produced dramas like Siachin, Bananistan, Anwar Maqsood Ka Dharna, Pawney 14 August, its sequel Sawa 14 August, Aangan Terah and Half Plate.

Kyun Nikala has done 80 shows in Karachi and another 25 shows in Lahore and is now showing in Islamabad. Kyun Nikala will continue at the PNCA till Dec 2.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2018