ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON YOULIN MAGAZINE
Written by: Nayha Jehangir Khan Posted on: December 20, 2019 | | 中文
The Insolent Knights Team (photo credits to the Hassan Naeem)
The first performance I attended of Insolent Knights was almost ten years ago, at Kuch Khaas, Islamabad, at a show called “Wrap Up 2010!”. Tülin Khalid-Azim and Natasha Humera Ejaz, veterans of theatre and the arts in Islamabad, created the Insolent Knights group in 2008. The duo is able to bring together an unapologetic and absolutely insolent group built on the strong contributions of passionate actors like Osman Khalid Butt, Mariam Saleem Nawaz, Zainab Qaiserani, Mustafa Ali Khan, Rabia Pasha, Fareeha Raza, Iman Shahid, Usman Mukhtar and Shahana Khan Khalil.
Beyond the impeccable timing of punch lines, great group chemistry, the seamless transition between scripts, and the action-packed exchanges are the inescapable subtexts that push the audience into a self-reflective state. Tulin explains that Insolent Knights is a safe space to experiment and test pieces they have always wanted to do, but wouldn't otherwise easily have the opportunity.
(Left) Tulin Khalid-Azam, Natasha Humera Ejaz (Right)
These pieces of writing are loosely structured, and the set is stripped down to nothing, with minimal or mimed props, and the actors are dressed as themselves. Tulin goes on to say that “We are not stand-up comedians, nor do we solely perform monologues, although we welcome those with open arms. It's about content, more than being tied down to any one particular form. Whether it's slam poetry, movement, or a short play, Insolent Knights is our creative playground.”
Osman Khalid Butt, Uzair Khan, Tulin Azam-Khalid (photo credits to the writer)
The friendships run deep and their love for improvisational theatre is solidly rooted in an authentic performance. For Osman, “Insolent Knights is a space where madness & creative expression thrives,” bringing forth raw emotion, strong delivery of lines and an unlicensed motion to challenge audiences with gut-wrenching drama and strong language. These experiences are rarely done for an intimate audience anywhere in the country. “It is where we put our experimental foot forward, taking audiences on a journey of laughter, satire, music, tragedy, drama - everything imaginable on the spectrum of human emotion.”
The process of making content for such a show is an art form in itself. Mustafa calls it exhilarating and challenging. He explains, “Figuring out what to perform, what you want to express, how you're going to express it, whether you use an existing piece or adapt one, or write a new one, how do you want to perform it and what will make it more impactful?” These are questions that are an utmost priority to the group. The result is, “You can be silly, slapstick and you can be vulnerable”, according to Rabia Pasha. She shares that whatever the chosen creative expression is, you will be accepted with open arms.
The idea is to create communication between performers and the audience, said the newest member of the group, Usman Ali Khan. The emotion they create on stage is felt equally by both actors and audience. The Insolent Knights, as explained by Tulin, “is an ever-evolving organism, because it is driven by the collective.” Fareeha feels it is a way for the performers to bring out what they’re truly good at, and put it out there for people to see. Iman shared similar sentiments; she hopes to continue to not only inspire, people but make them laugh and enjoy themselves.
Performing Snow, Glass, Apples in 2013 (photo credit to Insolent Knights)
The intention is to be whoever they authentically are, says Shahana, or just a bunch of people who wanted to do something wildly different. Their combined efforts result in a collectively unique voice. Participating remotely from the USA, this time around, she says, “The chemistry, the energy - it’s alive. Personally, I grew up with the Knights, so it’ll always be home even when I’m continents away.” Another participant who performed his comedy segment all the way from Denmark, was Hassan Kilde Bajwa.
Over the last decade, Insolent Knights has discovered up-and-coming talents from within the city. Zara Zaman Khan Afridi brought laughs to the audience, with her insightful and brutally honest comedic commentary in the form of a standup set. Zainab, who writes, acts and sings during the show opined, "For me, Insolent Knights has always been unpredictably exciting, maddening, enticing, inspiring, strange, magical, terrifying, and yet, a sort of sanctuary for someone like me, who deep down always knew there was more to me than the life I was living.”
Zara Zaman, Mariam Saleem, Zainab Qaiserani, Iman Shahid, Shahana Khan Khalil (photo credits to the writer)
Similarly, Mariam commented that “A whole lot of love, mischief, making fun of each other, not taking ourselves too seriously, exchanging ideas and having a bloody good time,” was part of the joy of working together to create the show.
The show shatters the “Fourth Wall” of theatre, as the audience is transported into the same headspace as the actors. “It's a space where I have had the pleasure, and the privilege, to express myself in ways I didn’t think would ever be possible. And it's no wonder, for it was born of beautiful minds, each a kind, unique, daring, powerful and crazy talented soul without whom none of this would be possible,” says Zainab.
The cast of Bright Lights, Big City in 2013 (photo credits to Insolent Knights)
Joining Insolent Knights this time was a vocal choir called Gin Taara, with members Nimra Gilani, Zohair Elahi, Zain Elahi, Iman Shahid, Zainab Qaiserani and Natasha Humer Ejaz, along with Durran Amin, who provided the piano accompaniment for a Christmas carol performance. Durran also serenaded the audiences before the show, with moody and heartfelt instrumentals.
When talking about what Insolent Knights means to her, Natasha said, “The gratitude I feel towards each and every person [of this group] over the last 12 years who have graciously worked with us is what makes IK special for me…Tulin and I had an idea. What brought it to reality is the talent, commitment and love that the Knights put into writing, performing and organizing the shows.”
Black Box Sounds Islamabad (photo credits to the writer)
She explained that the actor’s flexibility to rehearse on their own time, and to always be available for group sessions and rehearsals with her and Tulin, make the show a success. Natasha believes she can sleep better at night, knowing everyone is working towards one common goal, putting on the best show they can. Gripping and honest, Insolent Knights have had two shows in the last half of this year. Both were performed at Black Box Sounds in Islamabad. Be sure to follow Insolent Knights on Facebook for more updates on their latest shows.
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