ISLAMABAD, April 23: Avanti is mischievously entertaining, that blasts audience out the doors of the auditorium humming and happy. As the stage came alive with movement and music, the audience described this new musical comedy, that hit the stage Saturday night, as ‘cool’ and ‘intoxicating'.
Avanti is cleverly crafted and hilariously smart song and dance extravaganza and the show on the media night at the National Art Gallery was a hit.
“It is rare that a musical comedy comes along that is ambitious as it is emotional and then succeeds on both counts,” said theatre goers, comparing Avanti with recent stage productions in the city.
“Avanti brings a franker and contemporary sensibility,” described another member in the audience. Still, few thought that the show was ‘entertaining but synthetic’.Nonetheless, the musical comedy filled the audience to the top with exuberant tunes and witty script, with several old and new compositions to knock the socks off. The stage was simple with pillars in the background and furniture coming on and off, costumes, lighting, choreography that was inventive and thoughtful and supporting cast were almost first rate.
Directed by Flora Mehmood and produced by Javed Saeedi, Avanti began with some gentle comedy about the unexpected incidents, memories resurfacing and nostalgia, but things soon built to a more frantic pitch.
It was a captivating combination of strong material and sharp talent.
Flora Mehmood’s production shines blinding spotlight on almost all actors at the top of their game in this rich story with rich theatrics.
The audience laughed and sang along to hip Indian tracks and cheered throughout the performance, and by the looks of it had a rather good time – not bad for a show which had only come together in six weeks with a few stage veterans and mostly young actors who debuted.
This comedy depends on spot, on comic timing of its cast.The ensemble of this drama is more than prepared for the task.
The catalyst for the night’s increasingly silly happenings was Sheila, who gave the play a high-flying start. Dancing his way off the stage, in the aisles, in the crowd, Amir Khan (who played Sheila) turned the heat up and was the reason for side splitting laughter especially when he caught the audience unaware with the surprises he had in store. In this gustiest role of a eunuch, Amir Khan’s mastery of words, soulless tunes in a not so rich and handsome voice and moves were unmatched by any performer on stage.
Sundas Jamil, a veteran on stage, is a wonder who seemed to have endless reservoirs of kinetic energy which lights up the stage. No other actress could have been so stylish and stunningly sophisticated as Khwahish, perfectly reflecting the aspects and emotions of the story.
Hannan Tariq handles the role full on as the forgetful SHO and it is easy to fall in love with his wife Mehek Gulfam played by Rubab Tanzil who is another charmer of the production and no amount of makeup could smother her talents for some who faced so many people for the first time.
It’s not just that Fatimah Zahra nails every step, note and joke. It is the attitude with which she does so as Laila o bhains. And for a few moments it’s impossible to not be transported by this girl’s presence on stage.
Furqan Kayani has slick moves as a gangster and how Ibrahim Kayani as Rana Sahib and Ismail Kayani in the role of Farhad Khan the mixed nuts - collaborated with and fooled with others demanded much strutting of assorted tedious comic styles that enhanced humour. Mohammad Ishaq plays the Arab while Shehryar Raheem is Madad Chacha. Mustafa Ali Khan and Aleem are hilariously talented as Sarosh and Tabrez.
The play’s finale was illuminated by astonishing performances. This glittery display featured almost everything audiences would expect in a production - exciting adventure and a few hours of respite from the everyday turbulent winds. Avanti will run for 12 days at the PNCA.
Avanti is cleverly crafted and hilariously smart song and dance extravaganza and the show on the media night at the National Art Gallery was a hit.
“It is rare that a musical comedy comes along that is ambitious as it is emotional and then succeeds on both counts,” said theatre goers, comparing Avanti with recent stage productions in the city.
“Avanti brings a franker and contemporary sensibility,” described another member in the audience. Still, few thought that the show was ‘entertaining but synthetic’.Nonetheless, the musical comedy filled the audience to the top with exuberant tunes and witty script, with several old and new compositions to knock the socks off. The stage was simple with pillars in the background and furniture coming on and off, costumes, lighting, choreography that was inventive and thoughtful and supporting cast were almost first rate.
Directed by Flora Mehmood and produced by Javed Saeedi, Avanti began with some gentle comedy about the unexpected incidents, memories resurfacing and nostalgia, but things soon built to a more frantic pitch.
It was a captivating combination of strong material and sharp talent.
Flora Mehmood’s production shines blinding spotlight on almost all actors at the top of their game in this rich story with rich theatrics.
The audience laughed and sang along to hip Indian tracks and cheered throughout the performance, and by the looks of it had a rather good time – not bad for a show which had only come together in six weeks with a few stage veterans and mostly young actors who debuted.
This comedy depends on spot, on comic timing of its cast.The ensemble of this drama is more than prepared for the task.
The catalyst for the night’s increasingly silly happenings was Sheila, who gave the play a high-flying start. Dancing his way off the stage, in the aisles, in the crowd, Amir Khan (who played Sheila) turned the heat up and was the reason for side splitting laughter especially when he caught the audience unaware with the surprises he had in store. In this gustiest role of a eunuch, Amir Khan’s mastery of words, soulless tunes in a not so rich and handsome voice and moves were unmatched by any performer on stage.
Sundas Jamil, a veteran on stage, is a wonder who seemed to have endless reservoirs of kinetic energy which lights up the stage. No other actress could have been so stylish and stunningly sophisticated as Khwahish, perfectly reflecting the aspects and emotions of the story.
Hannan Tariq handles the role full on as the forgetful SHO and it is easy to fall in love with his wife Mehek Gulfam played by Rubab Tanzil who is another charmer of the production and no amount of makeup could smother her talents for some who faced so many people for the first time.
It’s not just that Fatimah Zahra nails every step, note and joke. It is the attitude with which she does so as Laila o bhains. And for a few moments it’s impossible to not be transported by this girl’s presence on stage.
Furqan Kayani has slick moves as a gangster and how Ibrahim Kayani as Rana Sahib and Ismail Kayani in the role of Farhad Khan the mixed nuts - collaborated with and fooled with others demanded much strutting of assorted tedious comic styles that enhanced humour. Mohammad Ishaq plays the Arab while Shehryar Raheem is Madad Chacha. Mustafa Ali Khan and Aleem are hilariously talented as Sarosh and Tabrez.
The play’s finale was illuminated by astonishing performances. This glittery display featured almost everything audiences would expect in a production - exciting adventure and a few hours of respite from the everyday turbulent winds. Avanti will run for 12 days at the PNCA.
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