There is a great affection toward the arts in Pakistan. Festering beneath all the adversity broadcast to the outside world are burgeoning talents pushing an industry that has a great many admirers in the region. Theatre is one of the more unlikely bright spots in this industry — in the last few years it has made leaps and bounds on the back of a handful of key players. Made For Stage (MFS) is one of these.
Staging a benchmark
In 2008, MFS produced their inaugural musical, Chicago, which immediately set a new benchmark for theatre in Pakistan. A six-member band performed the soundtrack to a painstakingly rehearsed song, dance and acting routine in what was one of the most expensive and risqué performances ever in the country. MFS has since produced Chicago for a second time, and two productions of another Broadway hit, Mamma Mia.
Nida Butt, CEO and founder of MFS, says there is a high level of potential in Pakistan, but still requires cultivation. "Independent and private theatre groups are working to the best of their capacity. [But] a stronger theatre infrastructure is needed before things can move in a more positive direction."
Speaking of the possibility of venturing into the UAE, Butt says: "Dubai seems like a very attractive market with a large international community. MFS is currently working on its first original live musical, which is a good option to bring to Dubai."
With a lead role in Mamma Mia and Chicago, Sanam Saeed has high hopes that Pakistani theatre will reach new heights. She played the boisterous Rosie Mulligan in the former, and the provocative showgirl Roxie Hart in the latter.
"We had never had live singing on stage in a musical before, and we had never had women playing such daring, strong roles. It was an incredible experience, for performers and the audience alike. New artists have sprung up since, challenging themselves and addressing social issues, while embracing their culture and identity," she tells Gulf News.
In terms of the organisations paving the way for progress, Saeed points to certain significant efforts. MFS has set up a performing arts school called the Mad School, which offers after-school classes in dance, singing and musical instruments. The school helped discover an overwhelming number of young talents. Other organisations include The National School of Performing Arts (NAPA) in Karachi, and the National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore.
Saeed has also performed for a number of plays produced by one of the more purist theatre troupes in the country. KB Thespians, who describe themselves as "followers of Stanislavski's school of method acting", are bringing to stage for the third time Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.
A cut above
Abdul Aleem Shekhani, producer of KB Thespians, offered his understanding of what it would take for Pakistan's theatre sector to emerge from the wings. "For Pakistani theatre to have a worldwide presence, we have to produce original works that reflect our society, our culture and our perception of the rapidly evolving world. Unless we can articulate our opinions about this modern age and express them on stage, we will never be on the worldwide theatre map."
The question is whether Pakistani theatre can stand toe-to-toe with the world's best. Shekhani shares a story that provides some insight into the sheer talent that Pakistan has on tap. "We performed a set of Chekhov's plays in Karachi entitled From Russia with Love in the summer of 2009. After our performance a Russian gentleman visited us backstage to get autographs. He had seen productions of the same pieces in Moscow, in Russian, and felt our performance was at par with those he saw there. Needless to say, I left the theatre that day feeling a good foot taller."
