The Story of Nativity

By Rahib Raza

Published: December 29, 2010

A re-scheduled Rear View production draws a small crowd.

LAHORE: Security threats and technical faults ruined an otherwise decent performance of the Story of Nativity (the story of Christ’s birth) at the Naulakha Church on Tuesday night.
Students from UET, NCA, SKANS and the Cathedral Schools made up the group that performed. The play was originally scheduled for December 23 but was postponed because of security reasons. Only 200 instead of 500 people showed up since all of the invites could not be re-sent in time. The original chief guests Sister Pillar of Convent and Father Bernard could also not watch the play on Tuesday. Naulakha Church Reverend, Dr Majeed Abel, the chief guest encouraged the students, “The technical faults that we had added a Christmas feel to their performance. Christmas was a very rough time for Mary too. All these students are gifted artists.” The other chief guest, Safia Waheed, a clinical psychologist and a Harvard University graduate, also appreciated the students’ performance, “All of us could see the efforts they put in. More practice could have made it even better! I loved their costumes and the set.”
Mrs Edgar Gulzar, a teacher at St Peter’s School said, “I enjoyed the carols and I loved the kings’ costumes. Had the event not been postponed it would have been a much better performance.”
Aaron, a performer, from St Peter’s said that he was proud of what they had achieved despite the team’s schedule. The event was organised by Rear View Productions. Omer Khan, a UET student admitted that the low attendance de-motivated the performances. “I’m sure the crowd must have felt that.” Asher Shehzad Gill, the event director, was pleased with the students’ performance “considering the fact that we did not have a ‘mature’ cast”. “They should be encouraged more,” he said, “but unfortunately people aren’t interested in charity communities. They don’t help.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2010.