Renowned director, playwright and CEO of Dolphin Communication, Asma Butt, has said that stage theatre cannot be revived through press conferences alone, adding that only quality productions and practical efforts can restore its dignity.
She said family theatre is promoted through dedication to art and by upholding moral and cultural values.
Welcoming the Punjab government’s efforts for the revival of the film industry, Asma Butt urged similar practical measures for stage theatre. She criticised those now advocating family theatre despite having previously been associated with vulgar commercial productions, describing it as a contradiction.
Asma Butt said Dolphin Communication has been promoting quality family theatre in Pakistan and abroad for the past 19 years, while consistently opposing obscenity and refusing to produce unethical plays.
She said artists should prove their commitment through quality performances instead of relying on press conferences, adding that Punjab’s Arts Councils already provide suitable venues for theatrical productions.
She invited the artists who recently held a press conference in Lahore to stage a quality family play at the Rawalpindi Arts Council. She said genuine cultural productions face no institutional hurdles.
Asma Butt said vulgar dance performances and obscene content had driven families away from theatres and called for a complete end to such practices.
Announcing future initiatives, she said a Family Theatre Festival would be held in August, while a new stage play on the life of renowned Sufi poet Amir Khusro would soon be presented at the Alhamra Arts Council.
