KARACHI: The Pakistan Theatre Festival with an international representation of theatre groups organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan opened on Friday evening with a double bill presented by the popular film, TV and stage actor and director Salman Shahid.

Written and directed Mr Shahid himself, the two plays were titled Abdullah and Patriot.

The first, Abdullah, is a satirical study of the well-heeled and their treatment of those who are in their service as well as the latter’s attitude to servitude. It focuses on Saima (Yusra Irfan) and Zara (Asma Niaz). The former has a servant by the name of Abdullah (Omar Cheema). With a minimalistic approach to set design, it’s a very short play that mainly

rests on the dialogic exchange that takes place between the two women and one man.

It basically focuses on class disparity through the lens of hypocrisy that exists among the high and mighty. They use those in the lower echelon if and when required. The servant is no oaf either. He is aware of the goings-on and acts the way he pleases. The

script despite all that doesn’t let the socioeconomic disparity to diminish or dissolve.

The second offering, Patriot, has radicalism at its core. The protagonists are played by Shanawar Butt, Shah Fahad and Omar Cheema. Again, like Abdullah, the set has no frills because the story depends on the script which has Butt and Fahad engaged in a discussion against the backdrop of the events of 9/11. The name of Osama is also thrown into the mix. But the lines clearly suggest that the central characters are not uncouth. They are aware of what’s unfolding around them and when they themselves get involved in it their reactions become predictable in spite of the discursive nature of their conversations.

Patriot has a bit of a Pintersque feel to it, and Abdullah keeps things simple.

While the actors on Friday did a pretty decent job, their voice projection left much to be desired. The hall was packed for the first piece and those sitting in the seats at the entrance side of the hall couldn’t hear the dialogue properly. Also, one felt that Patriot could have been lengthened to have a more holistic view of the subject.

Earlier, the festival began with a red carpet ceremony graced by the festival participants. It lasted for a couple of hours after which the guests were taken to the auditorium to watch the plays. Before that could happen the president of the Arts Council Karachi Ahmed Shah and governors of Punjab and Sindh delivered speeches.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2023