The second show of ‘Tujh Say Nahi Ho Ga’ was staged at Alhamara’s Hall 2 to a packed audience, as the original comedy play left those attending leaving the hall in stitches from the absolute hilarity of the entire event.
Directed by Rana Abdul Rehman Tahir and co-written by Syed M Murtaza and Ahmad Umar Ayaz, the play is comprised of a hilariously ridiculous three acts full of recurring gags, self referential and self deprecatory humour which left the crowds attending delighted.
The premise of the play is fascinating in that it is about the production of a fictional play. This concept of a play within a play being used in a comedy is a strange, almost risky decision, but the combination of the script and some inspired performances by the actors proved to be enough to carry the play through without any major glitches.
The cast of the play, all with varying degrees of experience on the theatre circuit, play actors in this production. The first two acts show the time leading up to the play and is full of hilarious gaffes that are undoubtedly made in the production of a play. With constant back and forth zingers it shows the nepotism and favouritism of directors, the many many mistakes and blunders and clash of egos that goes into the production of any collateral form of art – especially something like live theatre.
For this credit has to be given to the writers, Syed M Murtaza and Ahmad Umar Ayaz, for the keeping the play from becoming pretentious. The fact that the play constantly alludes to itself and jokes at its own expense makes for a hilarious and fast paced performance. There is no pretense to profundity in the script, and the dialogue is not just well constructed but has a certain depth to it as well. While techniques such as fourth wall breaks may seem rather afloat, the play is grounded in its own reality – something it has in tandem with the plot – making it an effective use of the dramatic method even though both script writers are fresh on the scene.
It is an impressive debut for the ZigZag production group, which has only recently been formed, and is also great work for the actors involved in the production. A play with surprising depth and refreshing self awareness, it is very much going out and watching its last outing in Lahore today (Saturday).
