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Bahria University sets the stage for Performing Arts with Revue

By Aisha Waseem
Fri, 01, 20

The event opened with a performance by the students of Bahria University who participated in the workshop...

UNI EVENTS

Theatre is one of the most difficult form of performing arts where you get instant feedback - if you are good, you will be instantly praised and if you miss to strike a chord, the audience will be ruthless. Theater is a tough medium of entertainment; yet, it is also the most relatable where the performers interact with their audiences up-close.

Since it has its own niche, universities promoting performing arts support theatre. Bahria University, however, is one of the universities that did not see a lot of theatrical activities. Hence the students of final year of Media Science department took it upon themselves to organize a theatre and give their fellow students a memorable experience before bidding farewell to their university.

For this, they organized an event ‘Revue’ which comprised of two activities; a theater workshop and a main play. To make Revue successful, they invited National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) who collaborated with ZAHRSSS to conduct workshops and perform a theatric named ‘Impossible… Possible’ based on social issues presented in a light manner. The event’s Chief Guest was Mr. Zafar Meraj, the writer behind Pakistan’s popular plays including ‘Muqabil’ and ‘Inkaar’.

Revue started off a month ago in the university when they invited a mentor, Zakiullah Khan, a NAPA graduate, to teach the students the basics of theatre. After a short course, the participating students were made to develop a 10-minute performance to be staged at the main event day, followed by the main play titled, ‘Impossible… Possible’, performed in collaboration with NAPA and ZAHRSSS Productions.

The event opened with a performance by the students of Bahria University who participated in the workshop. Their 15-minute play focused on various social issues like political rivalry, intolerance in our society and the role of media in these circumstances. This creatively written humorous play was well-received and appreciated by the audience.

This was followed by NAPA’s 45-minute play, ‘Impossible… Possible’ that had a series of differently themed plays touching topics like acceptance, hope, unity and violence. The first act featured four characters representing different cultures of Pakistan with a comparison of their interpersonal relationships in present time and in the past, highlighting the importance of unity. This act was followed by comedic representations based on the themes of match fixing, strikes in the country, common breaching of basic laws like traffic regulations, etc. It shows how these basic issues in our society can be dealt with if we, the citizens, become aware of our rights and follow the rules. We need to develop a sense of ownership amongst ourselves to make this city, this country, a better place.

‘Impossible… Possible’ ended with a heart-touching performance on a national song encouraging small acts of kindness that can bring a huge change, making our society a better place to live. Accepting others with an open mind, being kind to strangers, listening to someone in pain, extending a helping hand to pick someone up after a fall; all these small acts can change someone’s life, and all these acts combined together can make Pakistan a better place to live.

Mr. Zafar Meraj remarked: “I believe one is mature when one is associated with theatre by either performing it, organizing it, or watching it.” Mr. Meraj presented souvenirs to Zakiullah Khan and his team while certificates were distributed to BUKC students who took part in the workshop.

The audience appreciated the performances with applause and encouraged the young performers through standing ovation in the end. With Revue, the students of Media Science department who organized the event, not just gave their university a meaningful theatre but provided a platform for aspiring actors by giving them a lifetime opportunity to learn from a professional.