Independent Theatre Pakistan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Independent Theatre Pakistan

Type	Performing arts organization
Industry	Entertainment
Genre	Urdu and English plays, storytelling, musicals, theatre education, promotion of literature and theatre both professionally and in the community
Founded	23 March 2012; 13 years ago (2012-03-23)
Founder	Azeem Hamid
Headquarters	Lahore, Punjab , Pakistan
Area served	Pakistan
Key people	Azeem Hamid

Independent Theatre Pakistan (often called ITP) is a theatre group and performing arts organization from Pakistan. It started in March 2012 and is based in Lahore, Punjab. The group is led by its founder, writer, and director, Azeem Hamid.

ITP is known for being the youngest theatre company from Pakistan to perform both in its home country and around the world. Since it began, the group has put on more than twenty-five plays.

The group mainly performs in Urdu language, but they also do plays in English and Punjabi. They have worked hard to bring back interest in Urdu literature in Pakistan. Independent Theatre Pakistan wants to help young people in Pakistan grow through creative and performing arts.

Independent Theatre Pakistan has created its own plays like Awaaz (meaning Voice), which is a psychological thriller, and the funny short play Kuttay (meaning Dogs). They have also adapted stories from famous South Asian writers. These include Saadat Hassan Manto, Rajinder Singh Bedi, Krishan Chander, Imtiaz Ali Taj, Ashfaq Ahmed, and Meerza Adeeb.

The Story of ITP: A Theatre Journey

How ITP Began in 2012

Zara Peerzada as "Saugandi" in Manto's Hatak (Insult) in Lahore, 2012.

Independent Theatre Pakistan was started in 2012 by Azeem Hamid and Danyaal Syed. Today, it performs in many theatres across Lahore. These include Alhamra Arts Council and Ali Auditorium, where they put on classical Urdu and Broadway plays and musicals. They also visit different schools for theatre workshops and short plays.

Their first play, Hatak (meaning Insult), was shown in November 2012. It starred fashion model and actress Zara Peerzada. The play was based on a short story by the famous Urdu writer Saadat Hassan Manto. Critics liked the play, which was performed at Alhamra Arts Council. After this, the group worked with Beaconhouse School Liberty on a play called Dareecha. This play was inspired by Qurtaba Ka Qazi, written by Imtiaz Ali Taj.

Early Performances in 2013

In 2013, ITP started the year with two short plays. One was Dastak (The Knock) by Meerza Adeeb. The other was an original play called Awaaz (Voice). They worked with Lahore Grammar School for Awaaz. This play won two awards at the Colors & Humour 2013 festival for best actress and best supporting actor.

After this success, they had a sold-out show in March. It was a stage version of Ashfaq Ahmed's TV play Fehmida Ki Kahani, Ustaani Rahat Ki Zubani. Many literature writers, including Ayub Khawar, praised this performance. From October 4th to 6th, the group performed Rajinder Singh Bedi's classic comedy Naql-e-Makani (Moving to a New House). Audiences and critics really enjoyed it. In the same month, Azeem Hamid directed Kuttay. This was a funny play based on an article by Nadeem F. Paracha. It made fun of society. The play won the Imtiaz Ali Taj award at a festival in Lahore.

International Success (2014–2015)

The next year, ITP put on several plays. These included Jhelum Mein Naupar (The Sailing Boat in Jhelum) with actress Amtul Baweja. They also adapted Reginald Rose's famous film Twelve Angry Men into a play called Twelve Angry Jurors. These were performed at different places in Lahore.

In the summer, the group went on their first international tour. They traveled to Chennai, Madras, India, for the 2nd International SPIC MACAY Convention in June 2014. There, they worked with Koodiyattam master Margi Madhu. Together, they performed a classical Sanskrit theatre play called Anguliyankam (The Golden Ring).

Manto's Kamra #9 (Room No. 9) in Lahore, 2014. From left: Faizan Naveed, Namwar Ayaz, and Zoya Uzair.

In December, the company put on their most famous play, Kamra No. 9 (Room No. 9). This was a radio play written by Saadat Hasan Manto and directed by Azeem Hamid. Critics and audiences loved the performance. Daily Times called it "Urdu theatre at its finest." Shoaib Ahmed of Dawn Newspaper said the play was "deeply and meaningfully tailored." Azeem Hamid told The Express Tribune that creating the 1930s Delhi feel for a radio play was a big challenge. He said they walked around Jalander, India, for ideas for the set. The News on Sunday wrote that Kamra #9 showed "insight into human complexities." Aleeza Rasool of Youlin Magazine praised the play. She said it was a refreshing choice because it was a lesser-known type of play by Manto. She also said the acting was great and the direction was balanced, making the play exciting.

After its success in Pakistan, the company performed Kamra No. 9 in West Bengal, India. This was to help promote peace between the two countries. Zoya Uzair, who played 'Shireen', told The Telegraph that the play aimed to educate people against extremism. Azeem Hamid received an 'Address of Honour' from MLA Ajoy Dey for directing Kamra No. 9 in West Bengal.

Rashid Mehmood as "Fakir" and Shafaq Yousuf as "Munni" in Sammi Di Vaar in Lahore, 2015.

In 2015, director Azeem Hamid told My Awesome Journey that he wanted to improve ITP. He was looking for a team of professionals to create smart theatre. The company supported the 'The End Polio Now' campaign by Rotary International in Lahore. They performed an original monologue called Scream at the event. In December, the group put on three plays called 3 Kahaniyan (Three Stories). These included Bu (Odour) by Ayesha Mohsin, Sammi Di Vaar (Sammi's Life) in Punjabi by Najm Hosain Syed, and a stage version of Saadat Hasan Manto's short story Badshahat Ka Khatma (Kingdom's End) by Azeem Hamid. The Pakistan Today said 3 Kahaniyan got mixed reviews. But Faizan Javed of The Nation praised it, saying the audience's reaction showed the play's quality and its lasting social message.

Rising to Fame in 2016

In March, the company put on a funny play called Rumors by Neil Simon. Many famous people and film stars, like Agha Ali and Cybil Chowdhry, praised and supported it. The show was completely sold out. Soon after, team members from the company went to the 4th International Convention of SPIC MACAY in IIT Guwahati, Assam, India.

In September, the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences held a three-day theatre workshop called 'Dramaship'. Azeem Hamid and Faiz Rasool from ITP gave lectures. The workshop aimed to bring talented students together. It helped them develop their theatre skills and learn basic theatre ideas in a new way to express themselves.

On October 20, Hamid announced that the company would direct and produce three full-length comedy plays. These were Arsenic and Old Lace, Run for Your Wife, and Around the World in 80 Days. Azeem Hamid told Daily Pakistan that rehearsals were going well. He said it would be a dream come true for theatre lovers, as they keep working to bring back theatre in Pakistan. The Nation reported that the company would present Joseph Kesselring's famous black comedy Arsenic and Old Lace on November 19 in Lahore.

On November 25, Sana Gilani from Daily Pakistan reviewed Arsenic and Old Lace. She said Independent Theatre put on an "amazingly hilarious play" and praised Azeem Hamid's direction. A week later, Faiz Rasool directed a comedy by Ray Cooney. It received great applause. Daily Pakistan called Run For Your Wife a big success, with full houses for both days. Audiences were deeply involved in the story, and the suspense and humor were not to be missed.

In December, the group started the ASSITEJ Pakistan National Center. This was with other professionals who work in theatre for children and young people in Pakistan. Their goal was to host a performing arts festival the next year in Lahore.

Continued Success (2017–2018)

The Odd Couple in Lahore, 2017. From left: Akash Mufti, Sofiya Khan, Wajeeha Javaid, and Ali Sultan.

The Independent Theatre Pakistan team announced they would host the biggest children's performing arts festival, Tamasha Festival. It was held from April 7 to 9 at Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore. On April 7, Dawn reported that the festival offered plays for young people, workshops for new directors, and master workshops for local artists. It also had discussions for the public. Faizan Javed from The Nation said that important guests attended the opening. These included Salima Hashmi and Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman. Salima Hashmi told The Nation that when she first performed at Alhamra, it was just a garden with a hut. She learned a lot from it. She added that young talent should be appreciated because they are the future.

The Nation newspaper reported on the second day of Tamasha Festival. It said that interesting discussions explored how to entertain and educate children. One of the most interesting sessions was with Asaya Fujita and Sue Giles. Sue Giles, director of Polyglot Theatre, said that theatre helps children's brains grow. She said people often don't value children's place and power. She added that we neglect children's physical freedoms. Another session, 'Society and Drama', talked about theatre issues in Pakistan and Korea. Azeem Hamid led this session with writer Asghar Nadeem Syed and Seok Hong-Kim.

On May 19, the company put on plays based on Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Syed Shabee-ul-Hassan directed these. Later, in November 2017, they had successful shows of The Odd Couple by Neil Simon, directed by Azeem Hamid. They also performed Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig, co-directed by Zoya Yalmaz and Noor-ul-Huda.

In Spring 2018, the group directed and produced Macbeth by William Shakespeare. They also adapted The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and Pirates of the Currybean, a children's musical based on Pirates of the Caribbean. On May 12, Independent Theatre Pakistan worked with the Harsukh School of Performing Arts, Rearts, and Bina Jawwad. They put on a musical called Rang-e-Kainat (The Universe of Colours) at Beaconhouse Newlands, Lahore. The performance also featured Harsakhian, an all-female folk group. In October 2018, Zainab Muzaffar and Noor-ul-Huda directed The Female Odd Couple by Neil Simon at Ali Auditorium.

Theatre for Young Audiences (2019–2020)

On November 15, the company put on a play called Nizaam Sakka (Water Carrier) by Mumtaz Mufti. They worked with Lahore Grammar School. Noorulain Basit and Zainab Muzaffar directed it, and Gillian Georgine Rhodes did the choreography.

In July 2020, Diva Magazine listed 10 modern theatre plays. The group's 2018 play 3 Kahaniyan (Three Stories) was on the list. The magazine said it was a play that explored three different stories. It was beautifully divided into three acts and written by three playwrights. Audiences loved every moment of it.

Learning Through Theatre: Educational Programs

Independent Theatre Pakistan's workshops use acting and storytelling to help people think creatively. Azeem Hamid, the company's director, told Fifi Haroon from BBC Urdu that teaching creative things like theatre helps build confidence. It also improves leadership skills and helps children understand others better. He said storytelling methods are very important to teach subjects creatively.

The group has worked with many top private and public schools. These include Lahore Grammar School, The City School, Beaconhouse School System, Beaconhouse National University, and Learning Alliance. They also worked with non-profit groups like Rabtt. Their goal is to promote theatre and literature in Pakistan.

The group also worked with Justice Project Pakistan, a non-profit organization. They put on short performances in the streets of Lahore to raise awareness about the basic rights of ordinary citizens.

In January 2016, the company members were featured in a documentary. It was on the TV show Kahani Pakistani by Voice of America Urdu, hosted by Ayesha Gilani. They talked about "The importance of theatre and how the art of performing arts is a reflection of our lives in Pakistan." The company continues to offer workshops and classes. These are for people who want to be good at theatre production, performance, and teaching. They provide a place for young Pakistani artists to develop their creative talents. Azeem Hamid told My Voice Unheard that they are researching performing arts in Pakistan. He said they are running a new theatre program for young people across the country. He added that their plays focus on Pakistani values and create cultural conversations through creative expression.

As part of ASSITEJ Pakistan National Centre, the company hosted the 7th annual ASSITEJ Asia Meeting in Lahore from April 6–7, 2017. After this, they organized the Tamasha Festival. This festival showed 8 theatre, dance, and music performances by professional groups. It also featured 21 theatre performances by schools and 10 performing arts workshops for children and young audiences. There were also 8 discussion sessions about performing arts and theatre for young people with famous artists. In March 2018, the organization hosted the first ASSITEJ Next Generation program. This was a performing arts residency in Lahore. Its goal was to bring young theatre artists from around the world together to share ideas.

Plays and Productions by ITP

Independent Theatre Pakistan has put on many full-length and short plays. These plays have been in Urdu, English, Hindi, and Punjabi languages.

Awards and Achievements

Independent Theatre Pakistan has won several awards. In 2013, they won "Best Supporting Role" and "Best Actor" at the Lahore Grammar School's Colors & Humor festival. They also won the "Imtiaz Ali Taj" award for their play Kuttay. In 2014, they won "Best Play" and "Best Actor" at the BNU Bestival.

Their first international award was for Kamra #9 (Room No. 9) at the Rangapeeth Natyamela in December 2014 in West Bengal, India. They also received an "Address of Honour" from MLA Ajoy Dey for promoting peace. In 2019, the organization was part of the Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies (DICE) fellowship program, hosted by British Council Pakistan.

See also

• Theatre of Pakistan