In 2019, Theatre Wallay and the Rung School of Music and Arts joined forces to create Islamabad’s very first acting class—a 3-month course designed to introduce students to acting fundamentals and offer a platform to showcase their skills. The course was taught by Safeer Ullah Khan, a seasoned theater professional known for his experience in directing plays, conducting theater workshops, and developing original scripts.
The acting class quickly became more than just a basic introduction to theater. Safeer, drawing on his years of expertise, guided the students through foundational exercises, building their confidence and honing their skills. As the end of the course approached, the students were expected to perform short scenes to demonstrate their learning. However, the participants had something more ambitious in mind: they wanted to stage a full-fledged play. Moved by their enthusiasm and passion, Theatre Wallay extended the course by another three months.
The next phase of the journey was script development. Rather than starting with a pre-written script, Safeer encouraged the students to engage in improvisational (Improv) exercises. Through these sessions, ideas began to take shape, and the group collaboratively developed an original murder mystery, Main Ne Kuch Nahi Kiya (I Didn’t Do Anything). This play delved into the intrigue and suspense of a small community rattled by a series of mysterious murders, with older women as the victims. The central question, which kept audiences on edge, was: who was responsible, and why?
For six weeks, the team rehearsed diligently, refining each scene, each line, and each gesture. They faced the typical challenges of any amateur production—balancing roles, understanding complex characters, and memorizing lines—but their commitment was unwavering. Finally, the day arrived for the debut performance at The Farm in Banigala, an inspiring space that Theatre Wallay managed before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The opening night (28 July 2019) saw a packed hall, with eager spectators filling the seats. The production’s cast was a vibrant mix of characters: Ahmad Abbas as the authoritative District Police Officer, Areej Hussain as the determined Inspector Rani, Shahzaib Baddar as the spirited Constable Bulbula, Adnan Ahmad Khan as the Station House Officer, and Belal Tarique as Chandio. Alizeh Khalili portrayed the enigmatic Khursheed Begum, while Sana Batool and Jamal Khan joined as news anchors, adding dramatic tension and commentary. Nadir Shahbaz brought the role of a madman to life, while Ali Akbar embodied a mystic, enhancing the play’s supernatural undertones. Aamir Ali skillfully handled the lights and sounds, bringing the entire production together. Notably, Sana Batool was the only cast member who wasn’t originally part of the acting class; she joined simply to complete the character lineup.
The performances at The Farm were a resounding success, setting the stage for subsequent shows at various venues, where each performance was met with enthusiastic applause and praise. The play marked a milestone for Islamabad’s budding theater community and demonstrated the potential for theater education in the city.
Main Ne Kuch Nahi Kiya was more than a play—it was a journey of discovery, creativity, and teamwork. For the students, it was an opportunity to develop their acting skills while exploring the complexities of collaborative storytelling. For Theatre Wallay, it was a proud moment, witnessing the birth of Islamabad’s first acting class and its growth into a production that left a mark on audiences and participants alike.