Napa to stage Maxim Gorky classic from May 14

Karachi
The National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) will stage Russian author Maxim Gorky’s classic play “The Phillistines” – translated as “Dhaiti Deewarein” – at the academy from May 14 to May 31.
This was announced by Napa Director Zain Ahmed at a press conference held at the academy on Friday evening. Also addressing the conference were senior faculty member Khalid Ahmed and others.
Ahmed said the play, written in 1902, was totally socialist in content. It was penned at a time when the world was changing and follows the story of an elderly person who has political ambitions, is resisting change and wants his progeny to do the same.
The play has been translated into Urdu and adapted to contemporary conditions by the internationally acclaimed film and stage personality, Zia Mohyeddin, who also happens to be the director of the play.
The cast and faculty members had very positive opinions of Mohyeddin’s work. Kulsoom Aftab, a faculty member who is also part of the play’s cast, said that she’d had the pleasure of working with Zia for many-a-play and found him to be a highly committed person who was meticulous to the minutest detail.
Akbar Islam said, “Zia takes up assignments others shun on account of their being very exacting. He is very particular about the minutest historical detail, like, the style of the caps and the way they were worn in that particular era, and others.”
The special press preview will be held on May 13 at 8pm.
Besides, Napa is also to sponsor a three-day folk music festival on May 21, 22 and 23 at the auditorium of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs. Tickets for each performance will be a nominal Rs100.
The academy is also to stage an Urdu play, “Chotti, Mota, Tota, aur SA Hamid”, from May 17 to just before the advent of Ramazan.
The play will be staged at various venues, including one in Lyari. It will be free of charge for children of low-income localities.