Duration: 1 Hr

For more information:
359 40206, 359 40166, 358 86454Shoaib Iqbal: 0300 810 6463Qamar Mehdi: 0322 400 4020

(Please, do not bring children under the age of 14 years.)

http://www.facebook.com/punjablokrahs

Reviews:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009711story_11-7-2009_pg11_11

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=187496

Writer:
Lakht Pasha

Director:
Qaisar Abbas

Cast:
Adnan Ansar
Ali Saleh
Ali Shan
Irtiza
Laila Bashir
Nouman Qureshi
Sehr Maqsood
Tayabba
Usman Khan
Uzma Matloob
Zunaira

Production:
Sobia Zaida
Zeeshan Naveed

Choreography:
Sobia Zaidi
Uzma Matloob

Lights:
Zeeshan Naveed

Sound:
Asad Iqbal
Shoaib Iqbal
Sobia Zaidi

Brochure and Publicity:
Shoaib Iqbal

 

Play Brief:
The life of ordinary citizens has been turned upside down by not only the extreme fundamentalism and terrorism but also by the monopoly of the so called super powers wanting to control the natural resources of the world. The politically and economically deprived society has been further pushed into the dark abyss by the above mentioned extremism. In this never ending struggle for power and supremacy the prime targets along with the working class are the women and children. As the world is fast becoming a global village due to accessible communication we find that there are still some areas in Asia, Africa and Latin America where the concept of basic liberty and human rights is still a thing of the future. Especially in South Asia we find that along with religious extremism, feudalism and anti social elements, have labeled women as a “commodity” and nothing better then a “sexual plaything/object”.
“Being and Nothingness” aesthetically points out the journey of a woman from the bowls of feudalistic oppression to her evolution as a sexual commodity and object in the international arena. It also reflects on the internal conflict of a woman due to religious fanaticism. “Being and Nothingness” labels the internal conflict of the female as her capitulation to the atrocities committed against her.

It’s true that the women of South Asia are awakening, but their efforts for liberty and equality remain tightly closeted in a circle. As they continually remain to be exploited and subjugated emotionally, socially and relation wise. “Being and Nothingness” has tried to bring all those question to the forefront, in front of the audience, which arise within a female and make her question her being or nothingness.

Now the point that remains to be seen is whether or not women movement has ideologically, collectively and consciously become empowered to take the necessary actions and steps to attain its goals. Or does still it need more time to become mature so that it can analyze itself and face reality.

To portray such a character that overcomes all odds, conquers all obstacles and goes around bringing a successful revolution but - would that be reality? It can be termed wishful thinking but never objective reality. “Being and Nothingness” aims to portray the women liberation movement in its true context, as to what it is with its strengths and weaknesses without glossing over their image. If through this play we can motivate the audience to search for the answers of the questions presented, we’d consider this effort a success.