Happy Independence Day Pakistan

© Faras Ghani 2006

Laughing for aCaus

Applause and appreciation resonated around the jam-packed Royal Rodale auditorium as Blackfish exited after a delightful performance last Sunday.

The two-day event, organised by aCaus (A Collective Aspiration to Uplift Society) and featuring The Thespian Society as well as Blackfish, attracted over 500 comedy-lovers and helped raise precious funds that will provide medicine to patients in the Civil Hospital. aCaus is a professionally managed, non-profit organisation established in January 2006, which comprises a group of individuals from the corporate world who are working for the uplift of society.

The event, while attracting people of all ages, surprisingly started almost on time, and those scattered outside the auditorium indulging in phone conversations or snack-sprees were ushered in as soon as the stage, lighting, sound and performers were ready. The Thespian Society, directed by Mariam Farhan, who is also the Academic Director of the University of London External Programme at Jinnah University College, enacted their play, Table Manners. Acted out by the Programme students, the play comprised a series of events that occur over a weekend in Mother’s house when Sara (Sumaiya Matin Khan) and her husband Reg (Ali Sohail) come to visit Reg’s sister, Annie (Mariam Farhan) before she sets off on a weekend trip.

While it is assumed that Annie is planning to go away with the goofy vet, Tom (Ali Murtaza), it is, in fact Norman (Ali Shaukat), married to Annie’s sister, Ruth (Amna Khalid), who has offered to take Annie away without informing Ruth or anyone else. It is only after Sara’s unfaltering interrogation that Annie reluctantly reveals whom she has chosen as her partner for the trip and why.

The twists and revelations that followed left the audience awestruck by the young cast, wherein some had acted for the very first time. It also left most in stitches as a result of the unstoppable fits of laughter that even surfaced, at times, on the performers’ faces.

While Table Manners, with its numerous food-related scenes, set off many-a stomachs growling with hunger, anticipating the arrival of Blackfish on stage after the break made for a pleasant conversation over munchies. The delayed and extended break also provided a chance to mingle with various celebrities present at the occasion and a chance to question the performers.

The arrival of Blackfish was marked by a rousing and extended ovation (presumably because the majority of audience members had previously attended their shows). While introducing the group, Sami Shah, the group coordinator, explained how Blackfish would be going about their routine on stage, urging and warning the audience that their involvement will have a major say in how successful the performance is.

Blackfish, for a first-time viewer like this writer, was truly brilliant, and one realised that all the hype surrounding their performance is, in fact, rather true. The expert improvisation from the group — and the selection of skits — involved the audience through and through and set off the auditorium walls vibrating with laughter, proving that the group had lived up to their audience’s expectations yet again.

“It’s been great to see so many people turning up for this charity event and witnessing great performances by not only The Thespian Society but also a job well done by aCaus,” said Sami.

Members of aCaus were present to brief the visitors on the cause behind the event as well as to give them an insight into the organisation. It was also pleasantly surprising to see that the audience members had actually turned their mobile phones off — a feat rarely practiced in most live shows here. Even the stage backdrop had been kept simple (a plain black) so that more funds and time could be set aside for the real cause instead of indulging in window-dressings.

Perhaps one of the very few disappointments was the lack of choice on the food menu; but then again, keeping the greater cause in mind, it is definitely pardonable. The technical side of the event went glitch-free, with the lights and sound system tuned up very well.

It was heart-warming to witness the presence of young people at a theatre-related event in Pakistan, showing how comedy has made its impact and served as a colourful invite to the younger generation. All-in-all, the two-day event provided a weekend of laughs, bringing out some of the finest talent in theatre and stand-up comedy in Pakistan.

© Faras Ghani 2006