By Qasim Ali
Lahore:Ajoka Theatre will present its new play “Ye Aurtein Kahan Gaeen?” (Where Have All the Women Gone?), on 11 October 2025 at Alhamra Hall 1, on the first day of the Punjab International Theatre Festival.Developed through Alhamra-Ajoka Theatre Workshop 2025, the play is an original work created and performed by emerging theatre artists. It tackles the critical issue of the erasure and invisibility of women in socio-political narratives, exploring themes of marginalisation, gender-based silencing, and resistance through Ajoka’s signature blend of satire, symbolism, and realism.“Ye Aurtein Kahan Gaeen?” continues Ajoka’s tradition of producing socially relevant theatre that engages with pressing issues while nurturing the next generation of socially conscious performers and writers.Shahid Nadeem, Executive Director of Ajoka Theatre, said, “We are happy to perform this delightful and meaningful play on great public demand It marks a significant milestone for our young performers and highlights Ajoka’s commitment to meaningful, socially conscious storytelling. We are re-staging it due to overwhelming public demand, as both previous performances sold out, reflecting the play’s deep relevance and strong connection with audiences.”The play is part of Ajoka’s ongoing collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council to train new voices in progressive theatre through annual workshops. The 2025 workshop cohorts developed the script and staging under professional mentorship, making this performance both a creative achievement and a training milestone.The performance will be staged as an official entry in the Punjab International Theatre Festival, which brings together a range of contemporary productions from across the country and abroad.
