The crowds packed not only the chairs, but the stairs of Al Hamra’s hall 2 as they anxiously awaited the arrival of the great Ziya Moheuddin to for the longest session of the entire event, “Why is Shakespeare Shakespeare?”
The moments before the event began were often tense. Tere was bickering between literati over seats. There was shuffling as the organisers fretted over possible fire hazards or emergency situations. People were shut outside as the gates of the hall were closed, and all the while when the stage was being set, lighting, podium, microphone and all, for the arrival of Moheuddin.
But the ready to explode crowd all rallied to one when the man of the hour appeared on stage,
giving a standing ovation to the veteran theatre and film actor.
It was with a sense of wonder and privilege that those lucky enough to find seats, or even a place on the ground, allowed themselves to be transported from the hall of Alhamra to the globe as the master actor lay bare the wonders of Shakespeare.
The session was about “what makes Shakespeare so uniquely Shakespeare” in Moheuddin’s own words, as he began with lines from ‘As you Like It,’ before moving on to other plays, including Antony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet as well as a brilliant bit from The Merchant of Venice.
As one saw him performing so many roles in the two hours he occupied the stage, one could barely tell that this man with such seemingly endless energy was bordering on 90 years of age. The lines he chose and the performances he gave can be called nothing short of experience mixed with inspiration.
In his infinite Shakespearean wisdom, Moheuddin saved the unquestionable jewel in Shakespeare’s crown for last. His inspiring performance of many of Hamlet’s famous soliloquies was a bone-chilling experience, and perhaps the first such experience that many of those in the crowd were having.
The actor bowed out to another standing ovation and a literal showering of petals and praise. It was perhaps fitting that outside the hall gates, another sort of Shakespearean tragedy was taking place, one of those unable to see the great man in action.