Theater show Ishq's opening performance receives huge applause in London

LONDON: The Anglo Sufi musical 'Ishq' - based on the legendary romance of Heer Ranjha – received a huge applause from the audience on its opening night at the prestigious Sadler's Well Theatre here in central London.

The full-to-capacity audience welcomed the play and appreciated the performances by the actors. The cast is from Pakistan and the UK, includes Ahsan Khan, Adnan Jaffar, Rasheeda Ali, Rachel Viccaji, Irfan Damani and Arti Daltri and many others. 

Ishq: The Musical has been brought to London in association with Geo TV Network and Jang Group of Newspapers.

Theatre lovers were full of praise for the artists, their energy, the choreography, the specially commissioned fusion music, the themes and the story of the musical which revolves around the legendary Punjabi tale of love and devotion which has global meanings.

The first show was on the evening of September 7, there will be a second show on September 8 and two shows on September 9.

A spokesman for the Pakistan High Commission said they had helped bring the show over to London to "celebrate the 70th Independence Anniversary of Pakistan" and to showcase before the world the cultural heritage of Pakistan.

Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, on the opening of the musical said: "Ishq the Musical presents the rich cultural ethos of Pakistan, which is the custodian of the oldest civilisation of the world - the Indus Valley civilisation. Culture transcends the barriers, busts the myths and brings people together. Our effort aims towards that end."

The High Commissioner further said: "From the ancient land of Pakistan, bringing the Anglo Sufi Musical Ishq to London - the global cultural hub - is part of our cultural outreach to showcase our rich heritage to the world. I am confident that the musical will help put in perspective the true image of Pakistan."

Based on the legendary folklore of Heer Ranjha, the romantic story reminisces about the rich Sufi culture of our land. The legend of Heer Ranjha written by great Sufi saint and poet Waris Shah, presents the Sufi ethos of our civilisation characterised by compassion and peaceful coexistence.

The Anglo Punjabi Sufi musical has been produced by Serendip Productions, an international award-winning company from Pakistan.

Huma Beg and Farooq Beg, director and producer, said that they were overwhelmed with the response. They said they had spent months preparing for the play and spent hundreds of hours for its production. They said that their hard work had paid off as the play was well liked by everyone and won critical acclaim.