Want to experience theatre? Or you’re a theatre aficionado? Read on to find out why or why not Jungle Mein Mangal Bazaar could be the watch for you!
From the 6th to the 11th of June 2023, MNQ productions is presenting Jungle Mein Mangal Bazaar at the National Academy of Performing Arts, in Karachi. The play has had a few runs in the past years and now bought back on stage. The narrative is based on an Italian Play by Dario Fa.
Produced by MNQ Productions, Masooma Nadir, Directed by Meesam Naqvi, the play essays 2 married couples, police, robberies and the perils of the working class in times of inflation and social crisis! Oh and not to forget fake pregnancies…with comedy that just might tickle your funny bone.
In a world that today is so heavily reliant on digitalization & technology for all purposes, be it communication, education, entertainment or the Arts, somewhere along the way we have lost the true essence of the above. The traditional way of experiencing Art and stories can sometimes also be a very personal experience. Going back to classic ways (as opposed to the onscreen experience) can be good for the soul too.
Hence we decided to give Jungle Mein Mangal Bazaar a watch last night and are back to tell you more:
Peak Into The Storyline
The play opens with two housewives, Shehla (Kiran Siddiqui) and Kiran (Masooma Nadir) returning back home after orchestrating a big loot of food items along with other women at a large supermarket. The 2 women now find it difficult to hide all that stuff from their working-class husbands, Umair (Fraz Chhotani) and Daniyal (Farhan Alam).
As they scramble to stash away the “loot”, fearing their husbands will return from work soon, Shehla ends up hiding the bags of food underneath Kiran’s burqa, now making her appear pregnant. Shehla’s husband Umair returns home and is confused at how Kiran, who a few days back, was nowhere near pregnant is now quite heavily so. Throwing in some comic thrill, a policeman (Nazr Ul Hasan) literally risks some crazy acrobatic moves to climb his way through a window to Shehla & Umair’s flat to investigate the supermarket robbery. Following this, the play takes one twist after another with a fake pregnancy, and a cat and mouse chase.
Highlighted Themes & Sub Themes
As per the producer Masooma Nadir, who was also a part of the cast as Kiran (quite multi-faceted), mentioned how, even if you haven’t experienced a theatre watch before and intend to finally get that off your bucket list, Jungle Mein Mangal Bazaar could be a first watch to dive into your future love for Arts and Theatre. It’s got material audiences could relate to, today: with the rising inflation, job uncertainty, invisible pressure on women, socialist issues, law and order, working class struggles even highlighting housewives and their struggles.
It strikes a relevant chord in audiences’ minds as the current economic scenario prevails. All mighty messages, dark themes are conveyed with a light-handed comical approach. You will also be able to witness some light husband-wife banter. With sub themes highlighting housewives who strive to control the household expenditure, organize a running daily system for their entire family while juggling everything on a tight budget – throw in childbearing, and then also withstanding society’s taunts and you have a message.
There was also a hint of dark comedy between the general comic tone to break the monotony. The humour kept building up at a steady pace, and the sound and light effects sure added to the comic factor. The attention to detail in the set design portrayed the true surroundings of the working class and showed it was given due thought.
Effortless Performances
The performances were effortless, engaging and ones that truly were reflective of the cast’s abilities. Nazr Ul Hasan was the undivided star of the production, he essayed 2 different roles, a feat in itself, and his range of acting and the impressive ability to switch between characters so seamlessly, changing the style, voice and even the accent was notably laudable. He is said to be one of the best NAPA has produced!
Kiran’s (Masooma Nadir) quirky Punjabi character was a constant source of laughter and the element of lightness added into the show – a natural and versatile theatre actor! Another recent Napa graduate, Kiran Siddiqui was too, quite a natural, her fast-paced dialogue delivery and acting was smooth, mind you if we are forgetting, it WAS all live. Fraz Chotani as husband 1 was delivering his dialogues in a way that commanded audience’s attention and for sure received it, he was good at relaying audiences’ sentiments. Farhan Alam’s was another enjoyable performance; very suave and engaging.
Our Verdict
As mature audiences facing economic & social turmoil, if you are frustrated, not able to vent and want to relate and watch your feelings being represented through Art, you could go watch Jungle Mein Mangal Bazaar!
What was missing? We anticipated that the narrative could have touched upon the socioeconomic struggles in a more ‘out of the box’, refreshing manner. We missed an original approach to our forever problems, and there was a tinge of monotony in the storyline. Furthermore, it could be deemed that the play is more suited for an older audience, married couples and older couples! Not to say young people can’t watch it but the general target audience would drift towards a mature audience. People also particularly interested in current affairs and the socioeconomic scene would appreciate the references. Mind you, if you have the patience for a gradually building slow watch, this might be the thing for you!
Take A Look At Some Of The Images From The Play Below!
Jungle Mein Mangal Bazaar is playing till the 11th of June at NAPA in Karachi. Here is a link for you to get your tickets now!
