ISLAMABAD, May 22: As plays come and go, some leave a lasting impression. Mad Family, the ongoing play at the PNCA is not one of them.

An ANQ production, Mad Family is a musical/comedy that narrates the simple story of a boy, Z, trying to win the heart of a rich girl, Neha, so that he can easily obtain the pleasure of life.

Full with a fast moving plot, two twists, a villain, a pair of twins (or two very similar looking gentlemen), and bollywood dance numbers, the play gave all that ticket buyers might ask for.

In its commercial appeal, it probably did not disappoint. The dances had good choreography, the coordination was almost good and the dancers hit all the moves, but they lacked a full commitment to the moves.

Less sloppy in execution than other similarly commercially oriented plays, Mad Family did not have long delays or lapses in cues. The jokes were hit or miss, a lot of obvious humour based on repetition, but the play had its moments. The humour generated some laughter and plenty of chuckles as it engaged the audience.

The decision by the director to let the actors interact with the audience a couple of times fit the mood of the play and gave a moment of release in an already relaxed environment.

If anything, the saving grace of the play was its honesty about itself.

Meant as a shallow comedy relying on quips that were forced into the audience, the play stayed simple and never became unnecessarily deep or elaborate. And so it was no surprise that when a fight scene was expected, the protagonist decided to tickle the villain until he gave up. The play will go on till the 29th.