Dawar Mehmood and Anwar Maqsood’s Acclaimed 14th August Play Trilogy Launches Its Final Leg, ‘Saadhay 14 August’in Lahore.
After the successful shows of Anwar Maqsood’s Saadhay 14 August in Karachi and Islamabad, play is all set to launch in Lahore at Alhamra Arts Council Mall Road Lahore from 28th February till 22nd March 2023
Saadhay 14 August, like Karachi and Islamabad, was able to draw large crowds to each performance, and the audiences were astounded by the incredible presentation, drama, choreography, and, of course, the powerful storyline. Dr. Arif Alvi, the president of Pakistan, attended the performance at the Pakistan National Council of Arts in Islamabad with the first lady. His honorable attendance and fervent admiration for Saadhay 14 August demonstrated that the masterpiece was not only adored by the general public but also by those responsible for setting national policy.
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10 years ago, a determined Pakistani writer wrote a satirical play called, ‘Pawnay 14 August’ that took a dig at the 65-year history of Pakistan. To bring this play to life, he collaborated with one of the most esteemed theatre directors in Pakistan and a beloved play series was created. Anwar Maqsood and Dawar Mehmood’s live-action plays brought a smile to audiences’ faces across the country every time the two collaborated.
After the success of Pawnay 14 August, Anwar Maqsood and Dawar Mehmood blessed the theater industry of Pakistan with a sequel called ‘Sawa 14 August. The 90-minute play summarized the chaotic separation of east Pakistan, and the attention to detail was truly remarkable. The separation of east Pakistan was undoubtedly one of the most tragic events in Pakistan’s history, but Maqsood’s script and Mehmood’s direction added a light-hearted touch to the events so that the scenarios would be more palatable to the audience. It was quite evident that the viewers went through an emotional rollercoaster throughout the play, and this just showcases the writer’s ability to navigate the moods of an audience through his sheer talent as well as the director’s capabilities to turn a script into a visual delight. The plays also earned nationwide success for their distinct ability to merge political commentary and satire in the most enlightening mannerisms.
Now, after a decade, Dawar Mehmood and Anwar Maqsood gave the fans a treat to look forward, by releasing the last part called “Saadhay 14 August”. The plot of the live-action performance revolves around 2 characters Jinnah and Gandhi who get the people’s views on the great divide between Pakistan and India. Jinnah and Gandhi visit 4 places (Kashmir, Lahore, Delhi, and London) to gather people’s reactions and fight a case against the allegations of whether the divide was a good decision or not. In the past, Jinnah and Gandhi never wanted a divide but simply desired freedom from the British. The two leaders agreed on the Muslim Govt in Muslim majority regions, but Nehru didn’t agree and eventually, the solution was a sub-continent divide into 2 countries, India and Pakistan.
The political, economic, and social upheavals in Jinnah’s and Gandhi’s respective countries were explicitly presented to them by the inclusion of well-known historical and contemporary personalities. Even when serious situations are shown, people are seen laughing because of Maqsood’s writing magic and every actor’s immaculate performance. The audience and the main characters of the play are shown everything there is to know about Pakistani and Indian politics from Kashmir to Lahore to Delhi to London. From the bustling streets of Lahore to the burgeoning political activism among its citizens—from a state-sponsored film set in Delhi to London—you see the most outstanding, humorous, and spot-on portrayal of the infamous Altaf Hussain, a notorious political figure in Pakistani politics. Saadhay 14 August provides satire and amusement in one package.
Play is running at Alhamra Arts Council Lahore till 22nd March, tickets can be purchsed from bookme.pk, and Mcdonalds Main Bolevard Lahore.
These three plays showcased the incredible talent and creativity of the young artists who participated in the Next Generation Theater Residency. Through this program, these artists were given the opportunity to explore new ideas, collaborate with other artists, and hone their skills as theater makers.
