Ibsen National Drama Festival: Play speaks out against drugs

By Shoaib Ahmed

LAHORE: Umar Sharif Productions staged a first-rate performance ‘Aik Qadam’ in Ibsen National Drama festival on Wednesday. The play, written, produced and directed by celeberated Pakistani comedian Umar Sharif, centred on drug users.

Sharif, in a short speech before the play, said that with Aik Qadam he had embraced serious and meaningful theatre. The play, he said, was a depiction of the havoc wreaked by drugs on the lives of different people. The performances by actor Kavi Khan and Karachi-based actress Salomi were nothing short of outstanding and several scenes left the audience in tears. The play drew in full crowds, most of them lured by Sharif’s name.

The message against drugs came loud and clear, and heart-moving characters such as a man who was ready to sell his own kidney to buy drugs, left a deep impact on viewers. The well-delivered dialogues pointed out many society’s evils. However, some flaws were evident. One was a bad set by Arshad Javed, Pakistan National Council of Art’s set designer. Sharif made no effort to mask his anger, and blasted the PNCA in front of Daily Times. “I gave Mr Javed a clear description of my idea, but he still managed to spoil the set,” said the comedian, promising to take the issue up with the PNCA management. Today, Kamal Ahmed Rizvi’s production Bala Ki Badzat will be staged at the Ibsen festival.

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