Daily Times

LAHORE: The Government College University Lahore Dramatics Club (GCUDC) on Thursday staged an English play “And Then There Were None” which was orginally written by Agatha Christie.

They play unfolds a tale of the unexpected; an experiment in dramatics of the suspense, thrill and sheer horror.

Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Professor Dr Muhammad Nizamuddin was chief guest at the opening day of the play which received an overwhelming response from the spectators who remarked that they never felt detached for a moment from the situation projected before them.

Directed by GCUDC Adviser Irfan Randhawa, the play revolves around 10 strangers stranded on an island, getting murdered one by one mysteriously. The scenes are so well conceived that they cast a spell on the audience and leave them with the question as to who dies next and who is the killer.

Speaking on the occasion, GCU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Hassan Amir Shah appreciated the invaluable efforts put in by GCUDC for the survival of the glorious theatrical traditions in GCU Lahore. He appreciated the play and saif that was a complete show of GCU Dramatics as no technical or any other kind of support was hired from outside.

GCDC President Rana Ali Nawaz Khan sketched the character of Philip Lombard with enviable finesse. He imbibed varying shades of emotions in this persona with considerable ease. Hafiz Muhammad Najamus Saqib breathed life into Justice Wargrave’s character. His acting skills juxtaposed him with the best of thespians GCDC ever groomed. Eesha Razia, Hafiz Muhammad Rahatulain and Afaq Imran also presented impressive performances, the vice chancellor said.

The play’s set was quite embellished and fairly complex. The art director Amna Anwar Khan and her team from the Fine Arts Department made the set aesthetically appealing and quite life-like. Irtiza Aslam and Mahnoor Ajmal tactfully managed the lights addressing the demands of different scenes. Dr Sobia Mubarak made significant contributions in terms of the choice of script, costume design and rehearsing the nail biting mystery thriller.

It was the GCUDC’s second consecutive English production after a gap of nine years.

Dr Hassan Amir Shah dedicated GCUDC’s marvellous enactment to the eminent Ravian actor/director and founder of Ajoka Madeeha Gauhar who breathed her last after a long drawn out battle against cancer on Wednesday. He paid a glowing tribute to her contribution to theatre and social reformation.

Speaking on the occasion, eminent philosopher and writer Professor Mirza Ather Baig said that theatre played an important role in reforming the society and all universities should play a vital role in reviving culture of quality theatre in the country.

A large number of old Ravians from all walks of life are invited to watch the play today (Friday).

Published in Daily Times, April 27^th 2018.