opykats Production’s House Arrest finally arrived in Lahore. Yours truly went to see it last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. The venue, Ali Auditorium, was packed. It was heartening to see that the Lahoris have not lost their love for theatre.
With a writer like Anwar Maqsood at the helm of affairs, and a director like Dawar Mehmood, the expectations were humongous. The play had already enjoyed a successful run in Karachi and Islamabad.
House Arrest’s two protagonists are septuagenarian sisters. They originally hail from Lucknow and migrated to Pakistan during the Partition, the audiences are told. Both are widows. One of them has a male offspring who would like to send her to an early (not so early, actually!) grave and assume full control of the house. His father-in-law is an inspector general of police who promises to pull a few strings to force the two to vacate the place. However, in a surprising development and, rather unexpectedly, the two women turn the tables on them.
The story is deftly narrated and sensitively portrayed. Without being crass or vulgar, and within a span of one and a half hour, through many twists and turns, the story concludes on an optimistic note. Never at any point does the play become overly sentimental. The two old, spunky women with their never-say-die attitude manage to outsmart and outmaneuver everyone else.
Within a span of an hour and half, through many twists and turns, the story concludes on an optimistic note.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that most of the actors in the play were novices. Some were enacting multiple roles. Theatre is an acquired taste. Only a maestro like Anwar Maqsood could have pulled off a political satire as relevant as this one. He spares no one, and takes jibes at the bureaucracy as well as the politicians and the ‘system.’ Every time, he hits the bull’s eye.
The play also has a generous dose of slapstick comedy. Although there is a dash of bedroom and bathroom humour, it never comes across as crass or insensitive and is expertly woven into the narrative. The witty dialogues, fast-paced narrative and the punch lines make it a highly enjoyable affair. The play is fast paced and keeps the viewers riveted. Full marks to the team for pulling it off with so much aplomb and panache.
The two leading women brought the house down with their performance. They could easily give seasoned actors a run for their money. The supporting cast was also superb, and deftly propelled the narrative forward.
I was reminded of my younger days when artists with their troupes from across the border would often perform at Alhamra Cultural Complex and the “culture vultures” would flock to the venue to savour the theatrical attractions on offer. It was the heyday for performing arts. Exquisite classical dance performances by the likes of Fasih Ur Rehman entertained and amused the audiences.
Lahore is the cultural capital of Pakistan. Lahoris are known for their impeccable taste in music, theatre and the arts, making the city a vibrant hub with something for everyone.
Not enough is written about the rich cultural and literary heritage that this city is endowed with, and how it soldiers on, unabated and undeterred, despite all the challenges and obstacles. Plays such as House Arrest must be patronised, encouraged and supported, as they act as a bulwark against corruption, lawlessness and terrorism that mar the political and social fabric of the country.
Gaitee Ara Siddiqi is an educationist. She can be reached at gaiteeara@hotmail.com