Napa to stage original play inspired by Manto’s stories from 11th

The National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) will stage from September 11 an original play, Kamra-e-Afsana, which is inspired by two short stories from Saadat Hasan Manto.

This was announced by Napa CEO Junaid Zuberi at a press conference on Friday. The play, which is not an adaptation of any of the stories, is written and directed by Syed Qasim Shah, who was also present at the press conference.

Zuberi said Napa is committed to promoting quality original work and this is another effort in that direction. He praised the efforts that have gone into the production of this play, saying it was originally staged in Napa’s Basement Theatre, but due to its unique approach it was decided to stage it on the main stage, the Zia Mohyeddin Theatre.

Shah told the media that his small team had done a lot of hard work in producing this play. He introduced the cast members as well. The cast, present on the occasion, included Zubair Baloch, Shahrukh Arif, and Akthar Abbas, and musicians Gul Muhammad and Rahat Inayat Ali. The play will run for five evening and two matinee shows from September 11 to 15.