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For those who claim theatrical productions must present mighty and grandiose ideas onstage to be critically acclaimed should have watched the play Aesay Hi Chalta Hai directed by Uzma Sabeen, held at the National Academy of Performing Arts on Wednesday.

The 40-minute play, charting the trials and tribulations of a man caught under a tree awaiting help from the ‘concerned’ departments, was crisp and executed with the right dose of humour and dry witticism. No pauses to add unnecessary drama, a cast quick on its feet and improvising wherever necessary, and a story close to the common man’s heart made the production a winner.

The common man, represented by the man stuck under the tree, personifies the poverty and the pain suffered because of different institutions in the country that have attained a semi-divine status — the bureaucracy and the media. From one department to the next, the man’s request to be recovered from beneath the tree is diverted and neglected, while the media does him no favours.

Aesay Hi Chalta Hai was considered by many to be the underdog among the many international productions which are part of Napa’s International Theatre and Music Festival currently under way. However, it was definitely one of the strongest productions so far presented.

Despite an abrupt end to the narrative which could have been vastly improved, the script and the humour were executed almost to perfection by the actors. Special mention goes to the clerk (Hammad Khan), head clerk (Fraz Chhotani), the reporter (Zarqa Naz) and especially the minister who juggles the role of heading the horticultural, agricultural and cultural departments simultaneously.

A social commentary, with caricature characterisation that is close to home, and truthful to boot, is difficult to incorporate within a single production and Sabeen manages to do all that, and more. The audience was thoroughly entertained and in fact a little let down when the play wrapped up much earlier than expected.

Though the director relies on simplistic dialogues to convey the message of utter despair experienced by the common man, she uses the tool of humour to magnify the ludicrousness of the situation. And the audience thoroughly appreciated this strategy.

Originally published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2017