Written by: Zoha Rizwan
Posted on: March 20, 2015 | 
The blurred line between reality and dream, desire and struggle
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The play opened to a full house of theatre critics and lovers, students and acclaimed artists. Vajdaan Shah left a powerful impact on the audience with his agile movements and flawless delivery in the opening scene. This was followed by a sequence of dance and celebrations at a lavish party, and then appeared Vajdaan’s alter ego, played brilliantly by Syed M Jamil. Credit is due to Jamil for his passionate monologue, where he battles himself and the darkness around him, venting out his frustration caused by anomalies of the society.
However, the most awe-inspiring moment was when the performers became trapped in a huge plastic covering, depicting the notion of how blurred perceptions have fogged reality in today’s world. “Among Fog” is a story pertinent to the current circumstances in the country, where hostility and malevolence have surpassed the good and moral in all forms and faces. It shows how jubilant celebrations continue amidst dead bodies of fellow countrymen, which makes it even more relevant, given the tense atmosphere in Karachi, the persistent danger to the citizens, and their growing insensitivity towards each other.
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The cast received a standing ovation for their immaculate show of talent |
The cast used contemporary dance forms to build momentum in emotionally charged scenes, which were often followed by thunderous applause. The climax was staged in an eerie but beautiful manner, with both alter egos battling each other. The frequent use of plastic veneer to accentuate the effect of fog remained the highlight of the drama. Artistic Director Napa Repertory Theater, and the Godfather of the festival, Zain Ahmed addressed the audience after the splendid show, praising the quality of work presented, and commending “Among Fog” as another feather in NAPA’s cap. He told the audience how the team had worked diligently for two months to present what came out as a novel piece of creativity, combined with a positive message.
The concept of “Among Fog” was not one that could be easily understood without concentrating on the tiniest of details. It portrayed various facets of the society that we live in: social class inequality, the dual lives we have, insensitivity to atrocities inflicted on others, and our battle with own conscience. With minimal dialogue and elaborate gestures, the message was communicated to the audience through meaningful dance moves. Due to its immense popularity among theatre lovers, “Among Fog” will be presented again at the NAPA Theatre on 20th March.
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