Sau Din Chor Ke came back in its attempt to steal the show. Written and directed by the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) alumni Uzma Sabeen and Babar Jamal, respectively, the play is an adaptation of Michael Cooney’s play Cash on Delivery. After its initial set of hit shows in September, it returned for a final spell of performances, from November 20 till November 30.
Sau Din Chor Ke revolves around the life of Amir Hasan (Hammad Sartaj) and how he and everyone he knows get entangled in the lies he weaves to con agencies for funds. Amir, who is unemployed for the past two years, tricks governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) into giving him money by posing as a physically challenged person. He assumes identities of the people around him, creating tragic backstories, to make his narratives seem more plausible.
Amir is aided by his uncle Mamoon Basheer (Tariq Raza) in his scheme, who provides him with a medical certificate to authenticate his disability. But what complicates the situation is when the NGO employee steps in, causing Amir to spin a lie that exacerbates the disarray. From Mamoon to Amir’s friend Irshad Painter (Hasan Raza), everyone gets dragged into the mess. Interestingly, what makes matters worse is that Amir’s wife, Samra Hasan (Zarqa Naz), suspects him of cross-dressing behind her back.
“The cast almost entirely comprises Napa graduates and current students. And most of them are presently honing their skills at the academy,” Uzma tells The Express Tribune. “The play is a farce where situations, created by the protagonist, inspire laughter from the audiences,” she shares about the nature of the play.
This second run of Sau Din Chor Ke is being performed in a revamped in-house theatre at Napa. A notable difference between the September and ongoing final showcases is that the character of Mamoon is being played by Tariq. The play is set to be followed by another Napa production titled Aik Diary Jo Kho Gayi. The play, which is an adaptation of Neil Simon’s coming-of-age drama, will be directed by television and theatre legend Rahat Kazmi. Its opening night will take place on January 15, 2015.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2014.
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