When it comes to theatre, Shah Sharahbeel needs no introduction. He has been producing stage plays in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad for more than 15 years. With memorable hits like Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge, Dally in the Dark and Bombay Dreams, his directorial ventures consistently entertained local audiences in the preceding decade, before he shifted to London some 5 years back. This year, Sharahbeel marks his return to the theatre scene in Islamabad after several years with You Only Marry Twice, an Urdu adaptation of Ray Cooney’s popular play ‘Caught in the Net’. Cooney, recognized by many as the “master of farce”, is one of the most popular playwrights to ever come out of Britain.
Marketed as “a farcical comedy”, Sharahbeel’s latest play becomes a bit too farcical at times, filled with over-the-top humor and exaggerated characters. However, perhaps the ludicrous humor and nonsensical characters were partially or even wholly deliberate, as the performance generated major laughs in the auditorium, with most of the crowd in fits throughout the duration of the play.
Adeal Amjad (right) gave the most laughs as 'Momi'
The story centers around Faisal Mirza, a bigamist wedged between his two families, desperately trying to keep them separated and unaware of each other. However, all his efforts fail when his teenage son and daughter (from separate wives) cross paths on the internet, and discover that their “fathers” have a little too much in common. To Faisal’s horror, his two children decide to meet up in person. Things go increasingly haywire from here on out, as Faisal frantically tries to keep his dual life a secret from both his families. This, coupled with mistaken identities and a number of unwanted guests, makes for a truly chaotic two hours of comedy.
The play was performed in Karachi last month, and features an entirely Karachi-based cast. The lead is played by Faizan Sheikh, who has multiple stage performances to his credit, and also stars in Mehreen Jabbar’s new TV series titled ‘Mera Naam Yusuf Hai’. Faisal’s half-witted tenant, Momi, is played by Adeal Amjad, whose energetic (albeit exaggerated) performance generated the most laughs in the crowd. Momi’s father is played by the talented Saqib Sumeer, who is a NAPA (National Academy of Performing Arts) graduate and a popular theatre actor.
Saqib Sumeer (centre) as Momi's eccentric father
Faisal’s two wives, Fauzia and Rubina, are played by Muzaina Malik and Maham Aamir, respectively. The former is also a NAPA graduate. Syeda Aqsa Rizwan has made her theatrical debut as Faisal’s daughter, Nida. Finally, Ahmed Majeed of Moulin Rouge fame plays Zain, Faisal’s son, who unknowingly falls for his half-sister.
Theatre enthusiasts can rejoice as Sharahbeel, who had been living abroad since the last 5 years, is moving back to the capital for good. In the coming years, people of Islamabad can expect lots more in the world of theatre in general and comedy in particular. You Only Marry Twice will continue at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) till May 15th.
As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.
Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.
Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.
YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.
Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.
Nong Rong
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
January 2021
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.
