Gasper Crasto / Kuwait...23/09/2017
“So how was the show?”
This is the usual question one gets to hear among Goans after every Goan event - drama, tiatr or show in Kuwait.
The question here relates to DySP Sammy Tavares’ tiatr ‘Police Officer’ staged in Kuwait 22nd Sept 2017 which was well attended.
Well, everyone has their own opinion and views.
IT IS RARE THAT ‘PUBLIC OPINION’ IS IMMORAL OR UNWISE, BUT THE INDIVIDUAL WHO DIFFERS FROM IT OUGHT TO DISTRUST AND EXAMINE WELL HIS OWN OPINION.
“It was nice to see so many great artistes in the show…!!!”
“The comedy was really nice…”
“With most of the plot based in the backdrop of Cuncolim Police Station, a more suitable title for the drama would be POLICE STATION...”
“Well directed and well organized...”
EXPECTATIONS OF GLOBAL GOANS
Goan dramas touring foreign countries usually serve as ambassadors of Goa, passing on a message or two to bring Goans closer to their homeland.
Goans abroad, are naturally hungry to watch something related to Goa and Goenkars in dramas, which was sadly not found in Sammy Tavares' drama.
Although fluent and flowing, there is nothing extraordinary to talk about ‘POLICE OFFICER’.
Except for the brilliance of Comedian Sally and Joana who entertained the crowd with their comedy, the show has no semblance of being called ‘super’ as publicized all over.
The story is quite ordinary with an ending akin to childhood ‘zomnivele khell’. Top it all, a comedian is given the task to ‘cast’ upon the end-message in a typical ancient style.
“...lok tuka mhunntolo tum mhunn ek boro Police Officer!”
SONGS/KANTARAM
The songs were good but not upto ‘international’ level; the singers did not really live up to their ‘super stardom’ image except for Sonia Sirsat whose first song was exceptional and high quality.
There were ‘regular’ songs from Aniceto Lourenco, Marcus Vaz, Benny de Aldona, Ulhas Tari, Joana, Saby de Divar and a solo by Sammy Tavares, but Sonia with her immaculate voice and presentation stood a tad above the rest.
Sonia’s other song was a husband-wife duet (based on the chorus of famous 1982 ‘Jumbo Bwana’ Swahili tune) along with Aniceto, and some people wondered if the renowned Fado singer (a non-acting artiste) had made the trip just for a one and a half song.
While the tiatr lacked ‘open’ political songs which were apparently banned by the director which is good; Kuwait audience 'dearly' missed favorite singer Lawry Travasso who could not make the Kuwait trip because of some visa issues.
THE BAND & ADDED FLAVOR
Famous musician Norman Cardozo led the band supported by Nolvert on trumpet and John on drums.
Famed Kuwait-based musician Maestro Shahu played for the local singers.
Kuwait’s Balthazar Pontes (Aldona), Seby Mascarenhas (Utorda), and famed Kuwait Trio of Cajetan de Sanvordem-Mario de Majorda and Michael D’Silva provided added flavor to the show. The trio lived up to their expectation and were encored twice.
WHAT MAKES ‘POLICE OFFICER’ CLICK
Perhaps what makes the drama tick is its mega star cast. People get to see such stars together only once in a purple moon maybe.
However, after watching the drama, all those die-hard, drama-thirsty gate-crashers in UK and the Gulf, surely must have expected something more remarkable for the value of their pounds and dinars.
Surprisingly though, there is nothing negative written about the drama anywhere on the web or newspapers. Am sure it is probably out of respect to the ‘showman’ director.
Otherwise, stories about police officers - and their deeds - are plenty and sundry, seen in almost every other Hindi movie or serial since ages. When a police officer himself has written and directed, people are probably made to sit back, appreciate and contemplate.
Goans on a ‘personal’ front will definitely admire DySP Sammy Tavares for his deep passion for Konkani tiatr and songs, and his giant strides in keeping our Konkani language alive all across the shores.
#Respect# to the director for all his dedication towards Konkani stage inspite of his position and busy schedule in the police force.
POLICE OFFICER SYNOPSIS
The tiatr details life of a non-corrupt Police Officer whose goodness is not acceptable to other cops at the police station.
A bad cop kills a prisoner and frames the murder on the good, non-corrupt cop.
What happens later is dramatically portrayed with the bad guy arresting the good one for possession of drugs, jailing him, and even going to the extent of murdering the former’s wife before ultimately being caught by the vigilance, in what can be termed as a very ‘mediocre’ ending.
Ulhas Tari plays the good police officer while Franky Gonsalves is the bad cop.
From among the actors, Franky’s act as a bad cop, is one of the best seen in recent years. Franky’s body language and facial expressions should make him a ‘standout star among present-day Konkani stage actors’.
Ulhas Tari catches your eye too. His composure, style and dialogue delivery justifies his establishment as one of the topmost Goan artistes.
Janice Gracias and Justino are the other main artistes of the main plot with Marcus Vaz replacing Lawry Travasso for a cameo role.
COMEDY & COMEDIANS
The comedy is a laugh riot no doubt. For sure it is individual brilliance of the comedians than the script or direction of the director.
It was genuine humour thanks to some hilarious words & phrases used by Sally and Joana.
The other comedians Richard, Caetano (in various characters), and the Goan ‘sumo’ Desmond were super too.
DRAMA HITS GOLD
Police Officer which celebrated Golden Jubilee of the drama in Dubai before the Kuwait show is scheduled to tour USA (for shows in New York, Los Angeles, Texas and Houston) and Canada (Toronto) in October.
Earlier, the show was staged to packed houses in UK (4 shows), Bahrain, Muscat, etc.
Konkani drama lovers are happy for the director and its entire troupe and wish them a great sojourn ahead.
Sammy Tavares, who has a service record of nearly 24 years, has directed 2 tiatrs in the past. 'Police Officer' is Sammy's third tiatr after 'Aplea Bhurgeam Sangata' (2012) and 'Tim Thikam Sanddlelim' (2014).
Sammy also has 2 music albums - Police Porjek and Desak Bhettoi which are well accepted by Konkani music lovers.
SPECIAL GUESTS FOR KUWAIT SHOW
Felix Gonsalves (UK/Divar) was chief guest at the event while Mr. Luis Cardozo - a prominent Goan in Kuwait who has done yeomen service towards Konkani language, was the Guest of Honour.
Peter Fernandes (Dubai/Siolim), Piedade Baptista (Majorda-Goa) and Anthony de Varca (Dubai) attended the show as special invitees.
There are number of restrictions and added ‘entertainment fees’ imposed in Kuwait recent years. Having a ‘show’ needs lot of effort and many a time, organizers suffer huge losses. It is only due to a few hardworking Goans out there who are passionate that people are able to see their favorite stars.
Kuwait organizer Mr. Manuel Goes spoke on the occasion. A commemorative memento was presented to director Sammy Tavares and a rose to each artiste as a token of love and appreciation.
Mementos were also presented to Agnelo Rebello, Rosario Luis, and Greg Mendes for their outstanding support towards organizing the drama.
The presentation was conducted by Gasper Crasto.
(Photos picked up from facebook)
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