Lack of security delays Nativity play

By Rahib Raza

Published: December 27, 2010

Students to stage play to help charities for children now on Dec 28.

LAHORE: A Nativity play to be staged at Naulakha Church was called off on Christmas Eve after the British Council officials meant to attend as chief guest could not make it for security reasons.
A group of students from various schools got together to plan Nativity Story: A White Christmas, with the proceeds to go to charities that work with underprivileged children. Despite the last minute cancellation, the students are now planning to hold the event on December 28.
“We were unable to provide the proper security protocol to our chief guests, without which they could not have been called and that’s why we had to postpone the event,” said Asher Shehzad Gill, the director.
“We had already paid for lights, sound, make-up, even the invitation cards. It was all wasted,” said Salmoon John Daniel of Rear View Productions.
But he added that the students were determined to stage the Nativity play, to raise awareness about Christmas, and to raise money for a good cause.
“The way I see it is that we have a chance to redo it so the mistakes we initially made will be resolved and we will have better arrangements by the final date,” Daniel added.
Gill said that 28 students from different schools had come together to stage the play after watching the Rear View Production performance at the Youth Festival 2010. He said the losses from the delay were being made up with the support of the students and their parents.
Dr Edward Gulzar said he was looking forward to watching his child taking part in the play.
Another churchgoer, Colonel Yousaf Ghulam, said that the delay might even allow the play a bigger audience, since many people were busy shopping on Christmas Eve.
The performers include students from the National College of Arts, University of Engineering and Technology, School of Accountancy (Skans), Centre of Financial Excellence, City School, Beaconhouse (ALGC) and Cathedral Cantt School. The principals of several Christian schools and the Peerzada family were also due to attend the play on December 24.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2010.