KARACHI The National Academy of Performing Arts' Urdu version of William Shakespeare's celebrated comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream, Beech Bahar Ki Raat Ka Sapna, will be staged at the Arts Council Theatre from April 2 to April 11. The play has been translated and directed by Khalid Ahmed.

Addressing a press conference to inform the media about the drama at Hindu Gymkhana on Friday evening, Napa's Rahat Kazmi said Beech Bahar Ki Raat Ka Sapna was the academy's 14th production, keeping with its intent of producing at least six dramas a year. He said three things would stand out in the production the set of the play designed by Jamil Afridi; a majority of the actors performing are acting in a theatre play for the first time; and the live dance performances. Rahat Kazmi said the team had been rehearsing for the play for more than two months.

Khalid Ahmed highlighted the entertainment aspect of the drama. He said “It's a comedy; it has a strong element of music and dance, and discusses different class groups — from kings to the commoner. The element of the fairytale also adds a lot to the play. But it's not a comedy for the sake of comedy. It has layers of meaning and works on different levels.”

Renowned musician Arshad Mahmood said the music composed for the play had an integral role in the scheme of things and was originally made for the production. He said Napa's president of the department of music Nafees Ahmed and Ahsan Bari had specially worked hard on the project. The play was also important because the entire Napa team was involved in it, he said.

During the question-and-answer session, Arshad Mahmood requested the general public to come and watch the drama. He said in England even the prime minister was bound to buy a ticket to watch a theatre production, adding that it's time we started doing the same.