KARACHI: Psychoanalysis is a term that entered the lexical world of the educated lot after the renowned psychiatrist Sigmund Freud first used it (some say he coined it). It basically refers to a method of treating mental illnesses by bringing patients’ deep-rooted thoughts, who are under hypnosis, into consciousness.

The overuse of the term was turned into comedy play titled Khwabon Ki Nautanki written by Babar Jamal and directed by Uzma Sabeen, adapting it from the American play, Suppressed Desire, on Monday evening at the ongoing World Culture Festival organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan.

The story: Shirin (Zarqa Naz) and Asad (Osama Ranjha) are a married couple. When the curtains are drawn, it’s breakfast time and Shirin is seen nagging her husband by trying to analyse what his subconscious is saying which, according to her, he doesn’t know.

Written and directed by Babar Jamal and Uzma Sabeen, Khwabon Ki Nautanki was part of ongoing World Culture Festival

During their conversation it is revealed that she wakes him up in the middle of the night to know what dream he is seeing so that she can interpret it. Usually, her interpretation, which she calls psychoanalysis, pertain to certain personal aspects of life that Asad has no clue — and ought to know — about, therefore he needs to see a psychiatrist. This irritates him no end.

In comes Shirin’s sister Huma (Alina Gulzar) who joins them at the breakfast table. By chance, she mentions her latest dream to her sister, much to the chagrin of Asad, and Shirin now starts construing her dream for her, suggesting she should see the doctor, too.

The most interesting twist in the tale comes in the shape of Asad and Huma’s psychoanalytical results of their deep-seated ideas: Asad wants freedom from her wife and she has feelings for her brother-in-law. This means that things go topsy-turvy for Shirin.

Khwabon Ki Nautanki was put up by the seasoned writer-director pair of Jamal and Sabeen, who have done quite a few projects together both for the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) and the council. Naz is also a senior theatre actress now. So one was expecting a bit more from the group in terms of execution of the story. Naz looked in a hurry to say her lines and her fidgetiness as Shirin came across as if she was an unhinged character rather than some obsessed with a particular thing. Also, in such comedies, reactions matter a great deal, something that the other two actors need to work on.

Published in Dawn, October 23th, 2024