Independent Theatre Pakistan

Also, they have adapted the works of progressive South Asian writers like Saadat Hassan Manto, Rajinder Singh Bedi, Krishan Chander, Imtiaz Ali Taj, Ashfaq Ahmed and Meerza Adeeb.

Their first theatrical production Hatak (literal meaning: Insult),[8] featured fashion model and actress Zara Peerzada in the lead role,[9] was based on the short-story of famous Urdu writer Saadat Hassan Manto, staged in November 2012 at Alhamra Arts Council and received positive reviews from critics.

[10] This was followed by the group collaborating with Beaconhouse School Liberty for a theatrical performance Dareecha, based loosely on the writings of the play Qurtaba Ka Qazi written by Imtiaz Ali Taj.

The group went on to perform Rajinder Singh Bedi's classical satire Naql-e-Makani (Moving to a New House) from 4th till 6 October,[12] which was well received by critics and the audiences.

[13][14] In the same month, Azeem Hamid directed Kuttay, a satirical performance based on the writings of Nadeem F. Paracha's article Dog Gone[15] as a mock to society.

"[18] Shoaib Ahmed of Dawn wrote "The 60-minute three-act play had such a strong production value that it kept glued the audience to their seats till the end.

",[19] while during an interview to The Express Tribune, director Azeem Hamid said, "Visualising and creating a 1930s Delhi feel for a radio play was an immense challenge; we walked around Jalander, India to get inspiration for Kamra #9's set design.

"[26] The company supported 'The End Polio Now' campaign organized by Rotary International at Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore and performed an original monologue Scream at the event.

In December, the group produced a set of three theatrical performances, 3 Kahaniyan (Three Stories) which featured Bu (Odour) an original play written by University of Regina graduate Ayesha Mohsin having previously worked with CJTR-FM, a Punjabi language play Sammi Di Vaar (Sammi's Life) written by Najm Hosain Syed and directed by Mehreen Mir from Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London which featured famous Pakistani film actor Rashid Mehmood, and a stage adaptation of Saadat Hasan Manto's short-story Badshahat Ka Khatma (Kingdom's End) by Azeem Hamid.

[27][28][29] The Pakistan Today reported that 3 Kahaniyan received a mixed reception from critics,[30] while Faizan Javed of The Nation praised the performance writing "The immediate response of the audience determines the quality of play being stage.

Soon after, team members from the company participated and lead a delegation to 4th International Convention of SPIC MACAY held in IIT Guwahati, Assam, India.

In September, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences hosted a three-days theatrical workshops program called 'Dramaship', which featured lectures from the group team members including Azeem Hamid and Faiz Rasool.

[32] The objective of the workshop focused to gather talented students at a single platform and develop their theatrical skills so that they can explore and learn basic concepts of theatre in a new medium to translate their expression.

[33][34] On 20 October, Hamid announced that the company will be directing and producing three full-length comedy theatrical performances which includes Arsenic and Old Lace, Run for Your Wife and Around the World in 80 Days.

[35] The Nation reported that the company will be presenting Joseph Kesselring's famous black comedy Arsenic and Old Lace on 19 November in Lahore, Pakistan.

"[47] On 19 May, the company produced the theatrical adaptations of Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, directed by Syed Shabee-ul-Hassan.

This was followed by successful theatrical performances of The Odd Couple by Neil Simon with direction from Azeem Hamid, and Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig co-directed by Zoya Yalmaz and Noor-ul-Huda in November, 2017.

In October 2018, Zainab Muzaffar alongside Noor-ul-Huda directed The Female Odd Couple written by Neil Simon, held at Ali Auditorium.

On 15 November, the company produced the theatrical adaptation of Mumtaz Mufti's play Nizaam Sakka (Water Carrier) in collaboration with Lahore Grammar School, directed by Noorulain Basit and Zainab Muzaffar with choreography by Gillian Georgine Rhodes.

The company's director, Azeem Hamid in a radio interview to Fifi Haroon from BBC Urdu said, "Teaching creative expressions like theatre play an important role in building confidence skills, enhancing leadership qualities and empowering empathy to children.

[56] In March 2018, the organisation hosted the first ASSITEJ Next Generation program, a performing arts residency, in Lahore, Pakistan, "to unite young theatre artists from all over the world for an open exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Zara Peerzada as "Saugandi" in Manto 's Hatak (Insult) directed by Azeem Hamid at Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore , in 2012
Manto 's Kamra #9 (Room No. 9) directed by Azeem Hamid at Alhamra Arts Council , Lahore , in 2014. Visible from left to right: Faizan Naveed as "Nasir", Namwar Ayaz as "Zamaan" and Zoya Uzair as "Shireen".
Rashid Mehmood starred as "Fakir" alongside Shafaq Yousuf as "Munni" in Sammi Di Vaar staged in Lahore , 2015.
The Odd Couple directed by Azeem Hamid at Ali Auditorium, Lahore, in 2017. Visible from left to right: Akash Mufti as "Oscar Madison", Sofiya Khan and Wajeeha Javaid as "Cecily and Gwendolyn Pigeon" with Ali Sultan as "Felix Ungar".