Karachi Laughter Fest 2020
Our game-changing artists at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) are back at it with third rendition of their annual event, Karachi Laughter Fest 2020. Being held at the Zia Moheyuddin Theatre from January 10th to 26th, Karachi Laughter Fest is staging a splendid ensemble of belly-aching comedies. This year, Karachi laughter Fest is showcasing three plays, each one staged for fours days from Thursday to Sunday:
10 – 12
JAN
Good Luck Darling!
The first show, Good Luck Darling, is directed by NAPA graduate Farhan Alam and written by comedian Athar Shan Khan Jaidi. It tells a hilarious tale of a father who is trying to work things around for wealth he may lose, thanks to a split between his daughter and her husband. Mr. Seth’s daughter and her ex-husband had shared a joint bank account. The indebted and unfortunate father’s fortune is now stuck in this uncomfortable set up – he can’t access the accounts now that kid and kid-in-law are no longer together. Will his daughter and estranged son-in-law remarry and get him his money back?
This is a unique premise, and with a comical bend, it sure looks refreshing. While the audience is having a great time guffawing around, they take home valuable lessons about the society we live in and the underlying power dynamics that enables problems like this one. Good Luck Darling is raking up tremendous responses by critics and audiences alike. Dawn’s Peerzada Salman regards it as a “laughing riot”.
17 – 19
JAN
Wapsi
If you are aware of Noel Coward’s play “Blithe Spirit” (a comic play that revolves around a socialite novelist who goes to absurd lengths to garner material for his next work), then you are in for a treat!
With a desi tarka, the play is coming back as “Wapsi.” It narrates the story of writer Mansoor and his wife Areeba, who invite the local spirit medium Khanum Batool to hold a seance at their house. Khanum Batool unwittingly brings back the ghost of Mansoor’ first wife, Naureen, to haunt him. Appearing only to Mansoor, Naureen causes havoc between the married couple!
This supernatural spoof comedy is directed by actor-director Zarqa Naz. Zarqa
(graduated from NAPA in 2016) and has since been active in NAPA’s theatrical activities, including dastangoi.
24 – 26
JAN
Beech Bahar Ki Raat Ka Sapna (Midsummer Night’s Dream)
Shakespear’s classic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will now witness another rebirth in South Asian land, thanks to the beautiful writing of veteran actor and writer Khalid Ahmed and elegant direction by Meesam Naqvi. Khalid Ahmed’s previous works, like the recently staged “King Lear”, boast perfect transliteration of beautiful Shakespearean dialogues in urdu language and this work is another one in that remarkable list.
Beech Bahar Ki Raat Ka Sapna tells a story where a feuding Fairy King and Queen cross paths with four young lovers and a rustic theatre troupe rehearsing a play in an enchanted forest. What follows is mischief, magical transformations, mistaken identities and love tangle, all in a fantastical, dream-like world.
The organizers at NAPA have regarded this ensemble as the third largest event in the circle. This is also a great opportunity for artists, writers, directors and theatre-enthusiasts to find a platform to showcase and enjoy similar works. The previous two editions of the fest were also very well-received.
So now that I’ve hopefully convinced you to go and watch the plays, let’s also be mindful of some guidelines for a comfortable experience:
Regular audiences have to pay PKR 800 for their tickets – but if you’re a student, you get a 50% discount! If you’re a regular audience member, click on this link to buy tickets and if you’re a student, head to NAPA with your student card and get your tickets for just for 400 rupees.
People under the age of 14 will not be allowed to enter
The event starts at 8pm and seats will be available on first come first serve basis. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the NAPA management.
