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    Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire Comes to Karachi

    Tennessee Williams A Streetcar Named Desire Comes to Karachi

    Written by: Zahra Khan
    Posted on: August 21, 2015 | | 中文

    A perfect image of Stella caught between her aggressive husband and delusional sister

    Drama Queen Productions does it again by bringing to the people of Karachi a walk down memory lane – a throwback to the era of the ‘50s, by giving the stage to Tennessee Williams’ classic play, A Streetcar Named Desire.

    Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire Comes to Karachi

    Directed by the capable due of Sarah Saifi and Kanzul Fatima, the play delves into the depths of familial relationships, especially where societal status is involved. The character of Stanley Kowalski stands in stark contrast to the personality of his sister-in-law, Blanche DuBois. This tension, coupled with abuse, takes place in Stella and Stanley’s tattered and filthy abode, which Hasham Ali, the man in charge of sets, did complete justice to.

    The two-hour show is accompanied by live jazz music, performed by a fantastic set of individuals, Sharjeel O’Niel, Sherry, Augustan and Zulfi. Subtly positioned on the left side of the stage, under a purple hue spread by a large spotlight, the band’s soothing yet groovy music never allows one to get bored, even during intervals.

    Founder of Drama Queen Productions, co-director of the play, and playing the lead role of Stella, Sarah Saifi does a fantastic job, pulling off a performance that is reminiscent of an olden era in New Orleans. She also manages to subtly tweak the dialogues of the original play, for them to cater to a Pakistani audience. Stella, the loving but naive wife of Stanley Kowalski and the sister of Blanche DuBois, is caught in a dilemma between two extreme personalities. Ultimately, she finds herself having to choose between the two.

    Mashal Khan, who plays the role of Stella’s stunningly beautiful sister – Blanche DuBois, makes her entry by walking through the audience and singing Louis Armstrong’s classic, What a Wonderful World. While Khan had a beautiful voice, the classic American accent didn’t seem to be her forte, as most of what she said was rather difficult to grasp. But to be fair, her part was probably the most challenging to pull off. DuBois comes from Mississippi after having lived a life of supposed glamour, and for a man like Stanley, her “prim and properness” is something he just can’t stand. Her stay at Stella’s shabby apartment slowly becomes the death of her. She begins to lose her mind and overreacts to almost everything by muttering bizarre things to herself. After witnessing Stanley’s horrific behaviour during his poker sessions, she can’t help but complain to her sister about her husband’s anger management issues, and the consequences of always putting up with them. However, Stella’s loyalties remain with her husband despite all odds.

    Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire Comes to Karachi

    Stanley at the kitchen table (which often becomes the poker table)

    The star of the show, the ruggedly handsome Stanley Kowalski (played by Kumayl Zaidi), mastered the highs and lows of his character and perfected the aggressive demeanour Tenessee Williams would have demanded from his role. From pressurizing his boys at the poker table, to creating uproar in the house when he’s disobeyed, to getting down on his knees and begging his wife for forgiveness, and, to top it all off, singing a song about being nothing but an evil man, his every action left the audience in awe, as they witnessed a display of his genius on stage.

    We won’t spoil the ending for you, in case you plan on watching it for yourself. The play’s 8-day long schedule has been in full swing since the 15th of August at the Karachi Arts Council, with the last show airing on the 23rd (this Sunday). Tickets are available at the venue, but if you’re eager, get them delivered to your doorstep, or grab them from Subway Nueplex, Butlers Zamzama or Chai Shai (if you’re a student, get a 50% discount on your ticket too!)


    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