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    A Comedy of Errors: LUMS Annual Play 'Tom, Dick and Harry'

    Written by: Mahnaz Shujrah
    Posted on: April 25, 2017 | | 中文

    LUMS Annual Play 'Tom, Dick and Harry'

    This past weekend, the weather wasn’t the only crazy thing happening in Lahore. Dramaline, the dramatics society of the Lahore University of Management Sciences, pulled off yet another amazing theatrical performance at the LUMS Annual Play 2017, which took place at Ali Auditorium from the 21st to the 23rd of April.

    Following many hits in previous years like The Producers and Sweeney Todd, there were high expectations and a lot of buzz over this year’s Tom, Dick and Harry. The play was an adaptation of the famous book of the same name, originally written by Ray Cooney and his son Michael. The story follows the life of a young couple, Tom and Linda Kerwood (played by Abdullah Haroon and Hira Naseem), who are hoping to adopt a baby. They are preparing for their interview with Mrs. Potter (Scheherezade Peerzada), the lady from the adoption agency, memorizing the answers to all her possible questions. However, Tom’s two brothers, Dick (Abdullah Ghazanfar) and Harry (Deyar Pasha), enter the frame and soon everything starts to go terribly (and hilariously) wrong.

    Tom trying to explain the situation to Mrs. Potter - LUMS Annual Play 2017 Tom Dick and Harry

    Tom trying to explain the situation to Mrs. Potter

    Director Adil Lalani successfully captured the confusion and hilarity of the situation, and all the actors did a fantastic job in performing their respective roles. The set was created in an interesting manner, showing the main living room of the Kerwoods’ home, where most of the action takes place. There were more than five entrances to this room, and timing was essential in executing humorous situations, with the characters continuously entering and leaving the set.

    Dick smiling as Harry and Tom fight - LUMS Annual Play 2017 Tom Dick and Harry

    Dick smiling as Harry and Tom fight

    The audience found themselves relating to poor Tom, who gets stuck in a very challenging situation, trying to cover up lies with more lies. His brothers attempt to formulate grand schemes to help him, but only end up making things much worse. Dick, who lives upstairs, has smuggled boxes of cigarettes and brandy, along with two illegal immigrants who are now stuck in their house. He does all of this while driving Tom’s van, which is now under inspection. Harry comes up with a plan to help Tom buy his home, by convincing him that the price would go down if a dead body is discovered there – but he fails to mention that he has stolen a body from the hospital for this purpose, which is now lying in the backyard. Linda has been working all morning to make the arrangements; too bad she has no idea what Tom, Dick and Harry have been up to.

    Linda Kerwood is upset at the turn of events - LUMS Annual Play 2017 Tom Dick and Harry

    Linda Kerwood is upset at the turn of events

    Other characters include the constable (Ali Zafar) who adds to the confusion by asking questions no one has the answer to. The immigrants, Andreas (Zohair Abbas) and Katerina (Simran Talreja), bring a whole set of problems, one of which is a mafia lord. So much for making a good impression on Mrs. Potter of the adoption agency!

    A worried Tom watching Andreas and his granddaughter - LUMS Annual Play 2017 Tom Dick and Harry

    A worried Tom watching Andreas and his granddaughter

    The play was very well executed, with the lively characters and engaging dialogues being the highlight of the show. After last year’s suspense-filled Sweeney Todd, this light-hearted comedy provided a breath of fresh air. The ending of the play also brought a smile to everyone's face, as it was quite unexpected.

    Katerina, Dick and Tom - LUMS Annual Play 2017 Tom Dick and Harry

    Katerina, Dick and Tom

    Every year, Dramaline rises up to the challenge with a new genre for the LUMS Annual Play. I for one am already excited to see what they will have in store for us next year!


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021