ISLAMABAD, May 14: On Friday night Extra stood apart by highlighting the life of those who enter the film’s world to achieve stardom but end up as extras, living on small and insignificant roles.

Written by Yasira Rizvi, the drama narrating the life of an extra dancer in Pakistan’s film world gripped the audience at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) from the outset. It turned out to be one of the best productions to emerge in the drama festival that started last Tuesday.

The extra dancer’s encounter with a thief who breaks into her house caught the audience by surprise. Shabana, played by Yasira, was anything but scared of the intruder who doesn’t get tired of pointing a gun at her. She treats the robber like a movie character. And the play develops under Ibrahim Khan’s credible and lively direction.

The stage was simple but in line with the play’s theme – a window and a table, a rug, sofa and a mirror. Played to a packed hall, its creators dressed up Extra with a stream of jokes, although the theme was serious. The dim lighting captured the mood during power outages in a normal household.

The cast was small – two extra dancers, a couple from the neighbourhood, besides the two lead roles – Shabana and the thief, played by Babar Nadeem.

Babar was believable as a feeble robber trying to get away with whatever the catch. But in this small flock Yasira stole the show.

“We are lucky we keep seeing her on stage. It’s always a gripping experience to see her plays,” said Waqas Ahmed and his wife in the audience. Other fans said they watched drama unfold on the edge of their seats impatient to learn what would come next.

However, it was the ‘abrupt’ ending that again surprised and frustrated the audience. Waiting for the climax, they were left perplexed. In fact many seemed confused whether they should get up and leave or wait for the curtains to open again.

“This was like a joke where you don’t get the funny part and are waiting that the ending is yet to come,” said Mohammad Idris. Another member had both his hands up and asked, “Was that it?”