No one has the time to stand in a queue to buy tickets for any shows. Now there is a facility to buy online show tickets and also get seat preference. Numerous programs are listed online. One can get a wide selection of premium tickets. Many Las Vegas Show Tickets, Entertainment tickets, Comedy show tickets are on sale and they are delivered by the vendors. There are many companies that are not affiliated to any sponsors or advertising company but they do keep tickets to help people watch favorite weekend shows.

There was a time when booking was difficult at the box office. It was a tedious process. Not everyone got the best seats either. A weekend could also get spoilt if everyone else could see it and not you! Times have changed and online bookings have made it easier to get tickets for all types of shows. The tickets can be ordered via phone and confirmed seats can be got at a premium price. The payment is also made online via credit card. Most of the shows sell tickets online. Today a plethora of tickets of concert, theatre and sports with entire calendar are listed. The online event calendar lets one decide what entertainment is going on. Some of the most sought after show tickets are of comedy shows, Las Vegas shows like Madhouse, Celine Dion, Danny Gans and Elton John tickets. No matter how many times one sees the houseful boards a memorable weekend is a click away!

The Royal Opera House is the third theatre on the Covent Garden site. In 1728 an actor/manager by the name of John Rich commissioned “The Beggars Opera” from John Gay, a poet and dramatist. The success of this production helped provide the capital for the first Theatre Royal to be built and on the 7th December 1732, it had its opening night.

The theatre was primarily a playhouse for the first hundred years or so, with King Charles II granting John Rich and the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, as well as the Drury Lane theatre, almost exclusive rights to present drama in London. Rich also began developing pantomime as an art form which led to the tradition of pantomimes being performed every Christmas - a tradition that lasted until the 1930’s at Covent Garden and still continues today at theatres across the country.

The first serious musical works to be performed at Covent Garden were the operas of Handel, who gave regular seasons there from 1735 until his death in 1759. Unfortunately his organ, which he had bequeathed to John Rich, was burned, along with most of the theatre, in a fire in 1808.

The rebuilding of the theatre began at once and, in September 1809, the second Theatre Royal opened in Convent Garden with a performance of Macbeth. To attempt to recoup the costs of rebuilding the theatre, ticket prices were raised. However, after two months of disgruntled theatre goers disrupting performances with booing and hissing, prices were forced back down.

In 1846, a dispute with the management at Her Majesty’s Theatre (the exclusive home to ballet and opera in London at the time), conductor Michael Costa aligned himself with Covent Garden, taking most of his company of singers with him. The auditorium at Convent Garden was completely remodelled and the theatre re-opened in April 1847 as the Royal Italian Opera.

Fire struck again in 1856, completely destroying the theatre, and work on the third and present theatre began in 1857, before re-opening in 1858. Just over thirty years later, in 1892, the theatre officially became the Royal Opera House, with summer and winter seasons of ballet and opera produced regularly. This carried on until the First and Second World Wars, when the Royal Opera House became a furniture repository and a dance hall, respectively.

Several renovations took place in the 1960s including improvements to the amphitheatre, but it was clear that the theatre needed a complete overhaul. Despite being given land adjacent to the theatre to make room for the renovations in 1975, it wasn’t until twenty years later before work began when the newly created National Lottery granted the Opera House £58.5 million towards the rebuilding costs. The new Royal Opera House was opened in December 1999, with two new, smaller performance areas added to the theatre as well as the now historic main auditorium.

Now open all day and not just for evening performances, visitors come from all over the world to the theatre, packing the nearby hotels in London, and enjoying not only the wonderful shows, but also the beautiful interior of a historic building. The views that the Royal Opera House commands across London from the Amphitheatre Terrace have delighted tourists and guests since it’s re-opening, almost as much as the productions performed.

In today’s date and time, no relationship is forever. Failed relationships have become a norm and broken hearts can be seen wandering for some comfort and solace. In case you think you are not that young anymore and finding love again in your life would be a problem, you are highly mistaken. If a broken heart doesn’t let you trust people on an instant, then again the medium we are talking about comes in for your rescue.

Internet! What a boon it has been for everyone. For the ones longing for love, or for ones who are looking for long commitments, and even for ones looking for instant gratifications…Internet comes as a mean and a medium to fulfill all your needs and requirements. Adult dating is a common term today in the arena of the World Wide Web. Adults finding it difficult to ignite again the love and passion in their lives can now resort on various adult dating sites on the internet that can actually let you meet like minded people who have needs and desires that match yours.

Adult dating is easy and convenient. Any website that you become a part of would initially ask for some information about yourself, this might also include your photograph. This would help them match you with the person having a similar looking profile. Always try and fill in true details, be careful about your username, as well as create an ad for yourself that is distinct from the others.

Another great advantage of adult dating is that it doesn’t leave you with a flaming hole in your pocket. It is cost effective and you don’t spend much to be with your date…dinner dates are passé! Life can be truly fun once you find an adult date for yourself, who is ready to share your life, experiences, joys and sorrows.

Trust adult dating sites on the internet, join one today and welcome again the joy and passion in your life.

Laura Schutter has been lighting up audiences all over the world, starring on Broadway and in London’s West End. She currently appears in the Broadway hit Mary Poppins. We took a few minutes to find out how her career began…

Q: We heard that you were discovered in a very dramatic way, like something out of 42nd Street…?
A: It was backstage during the Broadway tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. I started the tour as an understudy to the lead and one night during the show the lead became ill after the start of Act II. The stage manager grabbed me and sent me to quickly get my wig and red dress, and within two minutes I was on stage singing the biggest number in the show. The funny part is that I am about a foot shorter than the girl who normally played the part, and when I entered the stage I could sense the audience's confusion. However, at the end of the show I still received a standing ovation.

Q: How would you say performing in a Corporate Event is different than a Broadway show?
A: Performing in a corporate event differs from a full Broadway production in that the show often has many production numbers from a variety of shows - every number is different and exciting. One of my favorite numbers to perform is "All That Jazz" from the musical Chicago. Most people have seen or heard of Chicago from either the movie or the Broadway show so the audience response is always amazing.

Q: Do you have any special memories of these “audience responses”?
A: My favorite show was a recent event in Hawaii for Prudential (and not only since it was in Hawaii!). There were many songs in the production that had the audience singing along. By the end of the show they were on their feet and dancing with us on the dance floor. It was such a thrill to see how much they enjoyed our show.

Laura Schutter is currently performing in the Broadway Production of Mary Poppins. Other Broadway credits include The Apple Tree, Kiss Me Kate and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Laura has toured with many Broadway productions including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Parade, Kiss Me Kate, and Showboat in London's West End. www.lauraschutter.com

In fact, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, 9 million households are likely to purchase HDTV products during the next 18 months. Another 30 million consumers consider themselves likely purchasers within the next three years.

This newer technology can be overwhelming for consumers, especially when they are not properly educated about the tools needed for the best setup of a high-definition home theater system.

Four basic elements are needed: picture, source, sound and assembly. Interestingly enough, the CEA says that approximately 30 percent of U.S. homes already have these basic ingredients.

* Picture: Most digital, high-definition televisions feature large screens in widescreen formats that create a theater-like experience right in your home. HDTV delivers crisp images that make you feel like you're part of the action.

Plasma and liquid crystal display televisions have generated the most excitement so far. These thin, lightweight sets can hang on a wall and only take up four inches of depth. Other examples include the microdisplay rear-projection televisions such as digital light processing sets. These TV sets are thinner, lighter and brighter than traditional projection TV sets.

* Source: Some high-definition televisions have a built-in tuner to receive local high-definition broadcasts. These are referred to as having "HD Built-In." Sets without an integrated tuner are "HD-Ready" and need a set-top box to decode the high-definition signal. Starting next year, many digital televisions will come with a high-definition tuner and the cable box built in, simplifying the connection for consumers.

* Sound: Most people don't realize that the high-definition television format incorporates digital 5.1 surround sound into high-definition broadcasts, giving you that "in the middle of the action" feel. For a truly engaging viewing experience, it is important to get a sound system that is comparable in quality to your television.

* Assembly: To tie it all together, you need to make sure you have the right cables and accessories to connect your system. Many consumers prefer using service personnel to deliver and set up the system at home - making sure everything is in place, connected and calibrated for the optimal home theater experience.

So how much does a home theater system cost? A wide range of prices are available, depending on an individual's needs and desires. For example, high-definition televisions sold at Best Buy start at less than $500 and go all the way up to $10,000, with numerous models in between.

Stand Up for Sundays
If your Sunday seems dull and boring, and you reminisce of the days when you had some fun entertainment to keep you busy. We have a solution, “Stand Up for Sundays!” A fresh and witty crew of local Stand Up comedians has high jacked the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square and is occupying her stage for a month of Sundays.

The Comedy Shop is not new to the theatre; their previous performance of “Stand Up for Sundays” was in December 2005 and won mass critical praise. The troupe of five comedians offers fresh fast paced humor coupled with audience interaction and smooth roll of the tongue punch lines. The Five piece show includes, Mel Miller, Al Prodgers, Kedibone Mulaudzi, Etienne Shardlow and Alistair Plint.

Al Prodgers, has just returned from Canada, where he represented South Africa in the Yuk Yaks comedy festival. Al is not new to performing abroad he was part of the “Stand Up South Africa” show in London, is regularly seen on stages in Abu
Dhabi and left Dubai in raucous laughter. Al Prodgers is a regular headline act on local stages and was the perfect choice to open for Steven Wrights visit to Cape Town, never the less Al seems eager to be listed as part of the team on “Stand Up for Sundays.”

Kedibone Mulaudzi, has a never ending biography of impressive shows, he was invited to perform for the Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 50th Wedding anniversary and after the show the Arch bishop went to Kedibone and said “You good, no actually you very good!” he went on to host the Comedy Nine Nine festival, Arts Alive and the Wits He, he festival’s.

Mel Miller has been performing on South African stages for over 40 years, his diverse humor and no topics untouched attitude, wrap together to bring audiences a laugh per minute performance of unstoppable joy! The veteran performer is known in the stand up market as “The Godfather of South African Comedy” and his title is evidently deserved when seen strutting punch line after
punch line from any stage.

Alistair Plint and Etienne Shardlow, are part of the original “Stand Up for Sundays” cast, the two crazy stand up comedians have been hard at work since last they visited the theatre, Alistair a regular show producer, entertainment agent and
comedian, has been responsible for many a successful show including the “comedy supper club”, “five funny guys” and “The shortcut to Pluto”. Etienne’s character “The Schoolboy” stole the hearts of avid television viewers when he won the reality comedy competition on MNets Laugh Out Loud, but that never stopped him, he currently runs two comedy venues and is always surprising
audiences with new characters that you think you’ve met at work.

This team of local comedy stars, will launch into a laugh a millisecond routines and raucous antics at The Old Mutual theatre on the square, in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton on the 24th February, and through the Sundays in March. You areinvited to join them.

Tickets are available from Computicket and the theatre box office at (011) 883 8606. Fortunately, the show caries a 18 age Restriction, so a cash bar will be available. Should Eskom grace with great service, we may have
a fully enlightening performance. Show starts at 7pm, see you there!

Stand Up for Sundays
If your Sunday seems dull and boring, and you reminisce of the days when you had some fun entertainment to keep you busy. We have a solution, “Stand Up for Sundays!” A fresh and witty crew of local Stand Up comedians has high jacked the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square and is occupying her stage for a month of Sundays.

The Comedy Shop is not new to the theatre; their previous performance of “Stand Up for Sundays” was in December 2005 and won mass critical praise. The troupe of five comedians offers fresh fast paced humor coupled with audience interaction and smooth roll of the tongue punch lines. The Five piece show includes, Mel Miller, Al Prodgers, Kedibone Mulaudzi, Etienne Shardlow and Alistair Plint.

Al Prodgers, has just returned from Canada, where he represented South Africa in the Yuk Yaks comedy festival. Al is not new to performing abroad he was part of the “Stand Up South Africa” show in London, is regularly seen on stages in Abu
Dhabi and left Dubai in raucous laughter. Al Prodgers is a regular headline act on local stages and was the perfect choice to open for Steven Wrights visit to Cape Town, never the less Al seems eager to be listed as part of the team on “Stand Up for Sundays.”

Kedibone Mulaudzi, has a never ending biography of impressive shows, he was invited to perform for the Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 50th Wedding anniversary and after the show the Arch bishop went to Kedibone and said “You good, no actually you very good!” he went on to host the Comedy Nine Nine festival, Arts Alive and the Wits He, he festival’s.

Mel Miller has been performing on South African stages for over 40 years, his diverse humor and no topics untouched attitude, wrap together to bring audiences a laugh per minute performance of unstoppable joy! The veteran performer is known in the stand up market as “The Godfather of South African Comedy” and his title is evidently deserved when seen strutting punch line after
punch line from any stage.

Alistair Plint and Etienne Shardlow, are part of the original “Stand Up for Sundays” cast, the two crazy stand up comedians have been hard at work since last they visited the theatre, Alistair a regular show producer, entertainment agent and
comedian, has been responsible for many a successful show including the “comedy supper club”, “five funny guys” and “The shortcut to Pluto”. Etienne’s character “The Schoolboy” stole the hearts of avid television viewers when he won the reality comedy competition on MNets Laugh Out Loud, but that never stopped him, he currently runs two comedy venues and is always surprising
audiences with new characters that you think you’ve met at work.

This team of local comedy stars, will launch into a laugh a millisecond routines and raucous antics at The Old Mutual theatre on the square, in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton on the 24th February, and through the Sundays in March. You areinvited to join them.

Tickets are available from Computicket and the theatre box office at (011) 883 8606. Fortunately, the show caries a 18 age Restriction, so a cash bar will be available. Should Eskom grace with great service, we may have
a fully enlightening performance. Show starts at 7pm, see you there!

Pantomime is a uniquely British tradition with a history stretching back over 100 years. It features on many peoples’ ‘to do’ list, and gives those with children an excuse to indulge in a bit of escapism and joviality, although unaccompanied adults have also occasionally been spotted in the audience at Panto productions!

Children’s favourite stories such as Aladdin, Puss in Boots, Cinderella and Peter Pan are perennial panto favourites. Plot lines are mercilessly slaughtered in pursuit of laughs, and in major productions which feature one or more celebrities their punch line is inevitably incorporated into the pun-filled script.

To add to the fun a ghastly selection of burly, masculine, cross-dressing ‘dames’ take to the stage alongside pretty young actresses in tights, who in turn are pretending to be men. With all of this served up with a soupcon of audience participation, a raucous and fun-filled evening is guaranteed once the curtains open and everyone gets into the spirit of the production.

Indeed, the audience is actively encouraged to regularly help out the heroes by alerting them to the presence of the panto villain. With frantic cries of “he’s behind you”, they collectively shout their warning to the hero whilst also hissing and booing the villain. Other dialogue between the audience and on-stage characters occurs when a conflict of opinions arises, such as when the Wicked Queen in Snow White insists that she is “the fairest of them all”. “Oh, no you’re not!” will be the inevitable response from the audience, and then a game of verbal ping pong will ensue, with the Queen insisting “oh, yes I am!” several times until the audience eventually wins.

Many popular characters from British TV take part in panto each including popular actor Christopher Biggins who had a 38-year continuous streak of starring in various panto productions until 2007, when he opted to appear in ‘I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’ in Australia instead. He eventually won that reality TV competition, and no doubt the 59-year-old will be returning to Panto next year as a Jungle King!

And it’s not just UK stars that are appearing in Pantomime; it has become so popular in recent years that even big names from Hollywood such as Henry Winkler and Mickey Rooney have agreed to appear in them. Indeed, their presence has encouraged many people to consider travelling much further than in the past to watch such big productions.

As a result London Theatre Breaks are no longer confined to offering the latest West End musicals, comedies and dramas, as more and more people add pantos to their must see list on a visit to the capital.

Arc Lights
When I set up Dreamz Unlimited the logic was to start a company where everybody was well-fed, got their money and were self reliant. The idea behind Arclightz was to have an equipment unit which would back up Dreamz Unlimited.

We saw things in perspective. The only way you can make a film without compromising is to make a film cheap. The simplest way to make a cheap film is to have a backend equipment company. So that’s Arclightz. And how will Arclightz run? We will earn our equipment cost within three or four hirings and by the third film we will have no equipment costs. So that film will be cheaper. It will not be much cheaper but will at least save a crore of rupees on a seven crore budget.

And then some of the set props we make can be used again. And everything is backend. We don’t spend 35 lakhs on the publicity, we spend 25 lakhs and own the unit. Today if I buy publicity equipment, it will cost me 25 lakhs. But now that I have made the investment, I will have that equipment free to make the next film. So slowly, slowly there will come a time when I won’t have to spend any money on too many things.

Going Digital

Internet is a medium which is there for the taking right now. Like television was at one point. I want to there when that medium happens. This time I won’t let go of the opportunity, like I did with television. I have a camera and filmmaking equipment. Tomorrow, if I’m not making a film for 20 days and if this medium catches on, then I may make a 10-minute film for this medium. All the companies are finally going to tie up.

So then the entire unit may finally turn out to be self reliant. And mutually beneficial if all my partners think alike. It is not about just about making the Internet company successful. At the backend is software, which comes from the creative team at Dreamz Unlimited. For the equipment we have Arclightz. So all three should be interdependent which I believe is the correct model to have.

I see a huge studio with post-production facility on one floor and equipment storage on one floor and the office of the creative on top. So when you come in, you get the three mediums under one roof. And if that company can be a five-star hotel with a multiplex inside and three floors of office, it would be great. And that, without being pompous, is the dream behind SRKWORLD.

Dreamz Unlimited

The logic of Dreamz Unlimited is not to make money but to make different films and to make sure not to lose money. We should not have to sell our houses to run the company. So when I decided to join hands with Aziz and Juhi for Dreamz Unlimited I was very clear that the company should be self-reliant. I was not aiming to be the biggest film producer in the world but I wanted that we should be able to make our kind of films without being dependant on producers who were not like-minded.

Our first film, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, was not as successful as we would have liked it to be, but the publicity has made us a name in the market within a year. Today, if I ask you what is the name of Sunny Deol’s production company, you would probably not recall Vijeyta Arts. But everyone knows Dreamz Unlimited.

TV

Since I entered films through television, I do have a soft corner for the medium. A few years ago, I was trying so hard to convince all my friends to get a headstart in television but no one thought it was good idea. In fact, I had spoken of doing a game show, but everyone around told me that people won’t accept a big screen star who appears on the small screen. So now, a little late perhaps, we are starting to provide software for television, though not necessarily featuring me. Once again, the idea is to make the kind of programmes that we would like to watch, programmes which don’t insult your intelligence. We know we can provide content which is at least a little above the average.

Vision

My childhood was not a wealthy one, but a contented one. My family was not rich but then we never saw poverty either. Since my father had been a freedom fighter he had a lot of connections and he could have gone on to become a lawyer or a politician, but he tried to set up his own business. He tried his hand at many businesses but he was too nice to make money at someone else’s expense, so he was never very successful. He was never depressed or unhappy though. I call him the most successful failure.

At the Asia ‘72 Expo, he got permission to set up a chola batura stall. He hired a small staff to prepare the dish and it was a huge hit because it was right next to the Russian Centre, which had samples of mud from the moon. We made money from it but he distributed it amongst the people who worked with him. Then, he had a transport business but his partner cheated him. He had a refinery business. He also had a huge furniture business. My mother felt that he was too nice a man. He couldn’t take advantage of people. He would just give out money. At one point he used to also run the canteen at the NSD. To date, actors like Mr. Raj Babbar and others owe him some money.

That’s the way he lived and that’s the nature I have too. But I also saw my mother suffer because of his niceness. I realised when my mother died that there is a reasonable essential quality about money. Since then I have always remembered one thing: you should do business to the extent that you have a position of choice. You get that position of choice when you fulfil your basic needs. It should not be that you don’t marry because you don’t have enough money. That is my basic line of thought when it comes to business. Even when I price myself, I don’t go according to my stardom or the market rate. My price is based on how much I require. There are a lot of times when I have been underpaid because of this attitude and there are a lot of times when I have been overpaid too.

Secondly, at heart I’m a retailer. It should never be that you have to sell your personal belongings to make the business run. It should pay for itself. This is the basic premise of a retailer. If you open a shop it should pay for the electricity bill, the water tax and the staff salary at least. It may not make crores, but it should be self-sufficient.

Also, I believe that you should not take interest money. I believe in the Islamic principle that you should not take money if you don’t deserve it. You should work for it. I don’t dabble in shares. Nor do I dabble in speculation, lottery, gambling. I know it’s an old-fashioned thought but I believe that money is no good money. I don’t think I deserve it unless I have wrestled for it, boxed for it, run for it, made a painting for it…I like that money.

These four principles cover my business philosophy: You should work for it, you should not lose money in any business, you should make enough money so that you are in a position of choice. And finally, if you start a business employing a lot of people, the end result, regardless of whether it made money or not, should be that all those people involved should be happy that they gave it a shot.

Many people say creative artists should not do business. But I don’t do business at that level. Then again, a lot of people tell me I’m a very good businessman, but that’s not true either. I believe in simplicity and clarity in business. I believe in honesty and quick decision. And I am ready to give more than what you expect from me. But what you promise should be delivered otherwise I feel cheated because I invariably give in more than what was negotiated for, whether it’s a film, an ad, a TV serial or the production of a film.

Also it should have some newness to it. It should not be the done path. I have never taken amazing big risks in business as I have done in my career…which also became a business at one time. It should be a little bit different from what others are doing. If I find that everyone is opening a toy store, I would like to open a toy store with one special toy which nobody has.

One of the greatest gifts of God to me is that I have never felt a lack of money. God has given me a lot of things - name, talent, fame, looks, success - but the one aspect he has given me for which I am most grateful is that I have never had to ask for money. Even in my growing years, I remember I once told my mother, ‘Mom, can I have a car?’ not knowing whether she could afford one, but the next day she would tell me, ‘You know, Shah Rukh, while going through the accounts I realised that an FD is lying with me.’ And from that money I would find a car standing outside the door.

When I wanted to buy a flat, Ratan Jain gave me cheque of seven lakh rupees. When I wanted to buy a bungalow, star prices suddenly shot up so much that I had the money to buy the bungalow. When I couldn’t afford a Pajero, the dealer gave it to me at half the cost. It has always been like that. If I have wanted something it has always come to me. That’s why I never wish for material things. Maybe God has said that He will grant my wish only 48 times in his lifetime so I don’t want it to run out.

I have not been greedy for wrong things. But in a different context, I think greed is the mainstay of life. I believe that you should have a greed for knowledge, for money so that you can have choice, greed for love. Greed is the core of mankind’s existence. Greed is what makes me what I am. I am greedy for doing more than what I am doing. I am geedy for more money too. I have enough money right now, but I will never let go of a chance to make money. Opportunity knocks only once. And if you don’t let her in she walks past and knocks on the other door. Opportunity is like a lady. Dad used to say ‘waqt ki choti aage hoti’. Opportunity is like a woman and her braid is in the front, so if you let her pass you can’t catch hold of her. You have to hold her when she is facing you. So I believe in initiative and in striking when the iron is hot.

Before me, no actors and actresses used to do ads. Friends of mine like Anil Kapoor and Juhi used to say I was stupid. I take the credit for bringing honour to stars doing advertising. Now every star is doing it. No medium is too small for me. I will dance at weddings, I will dance on the street, on stage, on TV… Today, Amitabh Bachchan is the biggest star, thanks to the small screen.

I did ads because I need the money. And I find nothing wrong in having money. It is a proud moment for me when I earn money through my work. With the money I earn at weddings, I get the choice of not doing a film I don’t want to do. Many actors have done 70 films out of which 30 are just for the money. Like, many actresses are stuck with films they did only for money.

I am very proud of the fact that I never did a film because I wanted money. Even Guddu was to be directed in a very fine way by Lekh Tandon, though it didn’t eventually work out that way. I never did a film because I wanted to buy a house. A person who does a film because of money will dislike the film when it does not do well. This doesn’t happen with me. There is not a single film from the 35 films which I dislike. As a matter of fact, I have made it a point not take money when I do guest appearances. So that door of making money is closed for me. There is no easy money for me. That is my business philosophy. You should only earn money with your hard work.

Whatever business I do will be in some way connected to entertainment. I dream of one day owning a five-star hotel with a multiplex cinema and a bowling alley. I think there is some entertainment value attached to the hotel business. It forms a part of the entertainment industry. I like people to watch me shoot at Marine Drive and to have a smile. Similarly I would want people to come out of my hotel with a smile on their faces.

Pantomime is a uniquely British tradition with a history stretching back over 100 years. It features on many peoples’ ‘to do’ list, and gives those with children an excuse to indulge in a bit of escapism and joviality, although unaccompanied adults have also occasionally been spotted in the audience at Panto productions!

Children’s favourite stories such as Aladdin, Puss in Boots, Cinderella and Peter Pan are perennial panto favourites. Plot lines are mercilessly slaughtered in pursuit of laughs, and in major productions which feature one or more celebrities their punch line is inevitably incorporated into the pun-filled script.

To add to the fun a ghastly selection of burly, masculine, cross-dressing ‘dames’ take to the stage alongside pretty young actresses in tights, who in turn are pretending to be men. With all of this served up with a soupcon of audience participation, a raucous and fun-filled evening is guaranteed once the curtains open and everyone gets into the spirit of the production.

Indeed, the audience is actively encouraged to regularly help out the heroes by alerting them to the presence of the panto villain. With frantic cries of “he’s behind you”, they collectively shout their warning to the hero whilst also hissing and booing the villain. Other dialogue between the audience and on-stage characters occurs when a conflict of opinions arises, such as when the Wicked Queen in Snow White insists that she is “the fairest of them all”. “Oh, no you’re not!” will be the inevitable response from the audience, and then a game of verbal ping pong will ensue, with the Queen insisting “oh, yes I am!” several times until the audience eventually wins.

Many popular characters from British TV take part in panto each including popular actor Christopher Biggins who had a 38-year continuous streak of starring in various panto productions until 2007, when he opted to appear in ‘I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’ in Australia instead. He eventually won that reality TV competition, and no doubt the 59-year-old will be returning to Panto next year as a Jungle King!

And it’s not just UK stars that are appearing in Pantomime; it has become so popular in recent years that even big names from Hollywood such as Henry Winkler and Mickey Rooney have agreed to appear in them. Indeed, their presence has encouraged many people to consider travelling much further than in the past to watch such big productions.

As a result London Theatre Breaks are no longer confined to offering the latest West End musicals, comedies and dramas, as more and more people add pantos to their must see list on a visit to the capital.

Laura Schutter has been lighting up audiences all over the world, starring on Broadway and in London’s West End. She currently appears in the Broadway hit Mary Poppins. We took a few minutes to find out how her career began…

Q: We heard that you were discovered in a very dramatic way, like something out of 42nd Street…?
A: It was backstage during the Broadway tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. I started the tour as an understudy to the lead and one night during the show the lead became ill after the start of Act II. The stage manager grabbed me and sent me to quickly get my wig and red dress, and within two minutes I was on stage singing the biggest number in the show. The funny part is that I am about a foot shorter than the girl who normally played the part, and when I entered the stage I could sense the audience's confusion. However, at the end of the show I still received a standing ovation.

Q: How would you say performing in a Corporate Event is different than a Broadway show?
A: Performing in a corporate event differs from a full Broadway production in that the show often has many production numbers from a variety of shows - every number is different and exciting. One of my favorite numbers to perform is "All That Jazz" from the musical Chicago. Most people have seen or heard of Chicago from either the movie or the Broadway show so the audience response is always amazing.

Q: Do you have any special memories of these “audience responses”?
A: My favorite show was a recent event in Hawaii for Prudential (and not only since it was in Hawaii!). There were many songs in the production that had the audience singing along. By the end of the show they were on their feet and dancing with us on the dance floor. It was such a thrill to see how much they enjoyed our show.

Laura Schutter is currently performing in the Broadway Production of Mary Poppins. Other Broadway credits include The Apple Tree, Kiss Me Kate and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Laura has toured with many Broadway productions including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Parade, Kiss Me Kate, and Showboat in London's West End. www.lauraschutter.com

Stand Up for Sundays
If your Sunday seems dull and boring, and you reminisce of the days when you had some fun entertainment to keep you busy. We have a solution, “Stand Up for Sundays!” A fresh and witty crew of local Stand Up comedians has high jacked the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square and is occupying her stage for a month of Sundays.

The Comedy Shop is not new to the theatre; their previous performance of “Stand Up for Sundays” was in December 2005 and won mass critical praise. The troupe of five comedians offers fresh fast paced humor coupled with audience interaction and smooth roll of the tongue punch lines. The Five piece show includes, Mel Miller, Al Prodgers, Kedibone Mulaudzi, Etienne Shardlow and Alistair Plint.

Al Prodgers, has just returned from Canada, where he represented South Africa in the Yuk Yaks comedy festival. Al is not new to performing abroad he was part of the “Stand Up South Africa” show in London, is regularly seen on stages in Abu
Dhabi and left Dubai in raucous laughter. Al Prodgers is a regular headline act on local stages and was the perfect choice to open for Steven Wrights visit to Cape Town, never the less Al seems eager to be listed as part of the team on “Stand Up for Sundays.”

Kedibone Mulaudzi, has a never ending biography of impressive shows, he was invited to perform for the Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 50th Wedding anniversary and after the show the Arch bishop went to Kedibone and said “You good, no actually you very good!” he went on to host the Comedy Nine Nine festival, Arts Alive and the Wits He, he festival’s.

Mel Miller has been performing on South African stages for over 40 years, his diverse humor and no topics untouched attitude, wrap together to bring audiences a laugh per minute performance of unstoppable joy! The veteran performer is known in the stand up market as “The Godfather of South African Comedy” and his title is evidently deserved when seen strutting punch line after
punch line from any stage.

Alistair Plint and Etienne Shardlow, are part of the original “Stand Up for Sundays” cast, the two crazy stand up comedians have been hard at work since last they visited the theatre, Alistair a regular show producer, entertainment agent and
comedian, has been responsible for many a successful show including the “comedy supper club”, “five funny guys” and “The shortcut to Pluto”. Etienne’s character “The Schoolboy” stole the hearts of avid television viewers when he won the reality comedy competition on MNets Laugh Out Loud, but that never stopped him, he currently runs two comedy venues and is always surprising
audiences with new characters that you think you’ve met at work.

This team of local comedy stars, will launch into a laugh a millisecond routines and raucous antics at The Old Mutual theatre on the square, in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton on the 24th February, and through the Sundays in March. You areinvited to join them.

Tickets are available from Computicket and the theatre box office at (011) 883 8606. Fortunately, the show caries a 18 age Restriction, so a cash bar will be available. Should Eskom grace with great service, we may have
a fully enlightening performance. Show starts at 7pm, see you there!

On 2nd November 1965 a normal occurrence happened at the Talwar Nursing Home in New Delhi. Just like many newborns, I was born with the umbilical cord entangled around my neck. A nurse said that it was by the blessings of Hanuman and that I would be a very lucky child. I don’t know if I believe in it but it is the one thing I was told by my parents about my birth that I remember.

We lived in Rajinder Nagar, I even remember the house number it was F-442. I have vague memories of my playschool, I think it was called Tiny Tots and was right next to our house.

After playschool I began my formal education at St. Columba's High School, New Delhi. It was near Gole market, run by Irish brothers who believed in discipline and a very high standard of education.

I can recall my first day and the teacher who interviewed me, Mrs. Bala, asked me to tell her what my father’s profession was. And at that point my father had a transportation business, I had seen him dealing with tempos, trucks, etc. I believed anyone having anything to do with vehicles was a driver. So I replied that my dad was a tempo driver. Mrs. Bala told me that I had very cute dimples and then asked me to kiss her. That was my first kiss. Oh yes, and I was admitted to the school.

We were given black and golden stars for our behaviour and test results. Five black stars meant lying across Mrs. Bala’s lap and getting spanked three times, I think. Being quite naughty I was spanked a lot. I wish the same treatment was meted out to me even now. Looking back one realizes that what one thought punishment was actually quite pleasurable.

Overall my early years of schooling were quite wonderful. I had my share of spanking, and was often made to stand in the corner with my finger on the lips. I was forced by my teacher to learn how to swim by being thrown into the water and expected to survive with gallons of water in my stomach, eyes and ears. Till date I hate swimming…and my teacher for subjecting me to this torture.

But all said and done I love all my teachers. They were very kind and sweet. I guess the essence of one’s life is developed during these formative years. And I feel I had the best formative years because of the nice teachers I had.

Here’s to all of them…good morning ma’am and thank you ma’am.

Incidents & Accidents

One important turning point in my life occurred because I was very bad in Hindi. I used to get 2 or 3 on 10 and always failed in this subject. Once, my mother told me that if I got full marks in Hindi she would take me to see a Hindi film in the theatre. I had never been to a movie hall before. So I stayed up all night and studied my butt off and managed to get full marks and my mother took me to see my first Hindi film, in a theatre.

Two things happened because of this incident. One, I became quite the Hindi pundit and later always did very well in Hindi. And secondly, I got the feel for Hindi films. My command over the language helps me immensely to essay my roles in films today. The moral of the story is, if your mom tells you to study hard, do it. You may just become a film star and your education will help you one helluva lot. But if your mother is insisting on anthropology or biochemistry or perhaps aromatic therapy, then ignore her.

I remember sitting on the wall and blowing flying kisses to the schoolgirls passing by. Once a girl came complaining to my dad but my father was sure that it could not be me as I was too young. He made the girl wait so that she could see me and realise that it was the neighbour’s son who was teasing her and not me. But to my father’s embarrassment I walked in without my pants on and on seeing the girl blew her a flying kiss and told my dad that this was my sweetheart. This was the first and last girl I ever made a pass to.

St. Columba's School

Right or wrong…east or west, my school is the best. St. Columba's was a strict disciplinarian school run by Irish brothers. One could not wear the wrong uniform or grow their hair beyond a certain length. Many a times I had to get my hair cut in front of the whole assembly of students early in the morning. The barber used to be from a nearby street-side shop who hadn’t bathed or brushed his teeth. He was as sorry to be there as I was to be sitting on his uncomfortable chair. And before beginning his hack job, he would ask if I wanted a Dharmendra or an Amitabh cut. By the time he was through, I just hoped I didn’t look like a porcupine or a pineapple. My hair never recovered from these frequent attacks. ;-) This truly is the secret of my hairstyle, if one can call it that.

I was quite a good student, though I never studied throughout the year. The only time I studied was the night before the exam, when I wouldn’t sleep a wink and go straight for the exam. I did rather well and this gave me the opportunity to do a whole lot of interesting stuff in school.

In School…

My favourite soccer stars are Socrates, Pele, Maradona and Mattheus. And I loved Aslam Sher Khan and wanted to be like him and represent the country.

Electronics was my favourite subject at my A levels, and I think I got the highest marks in it when I passed out.

Mathematics was my weakest subject in school and I still have a problem with numbers. So much so if someone tells me a phone number I have to ask for it several times before I can write it down on paper. I even forget my office and residence phone number.

English, and especially Shakespeare, was my other favourite.

Mumtaz…

Mumtaz was my absolute favourite. We used to listen to the radio at night and this is when all my dancing abilities were best showcased. One had to just tell me that the song on radio was from a Mumtaz film and I would move 20 frames per second, like the way people move in the old Charlie Chaplin films.

I loved the way she moved her hips. I think nobody in this world can be as beautiful a sight as she used to be. She was sensual, innocent, naughty and very energetic, all at the same time. She was the first personality I mimicked. I loved to walk like her and dance like her.

Usually actors have very important personalities and performers as their idols. Mine was Mumtaz. Not to say that she was unimportant or not special. What I mean is that for a guy she was an unconventional role model. To me she was the single most important cause of my tilt towards anything that had vaguely to do with the performing arts.

My favourite song used to be from a Shammi Kapoor film, Brahmachari. Its lyrics still intrigue me: “Chakke pe chakka, chakke mein gaadi, gaadi pe nikli apni swaari...” Anyone who can explain the meaning of "chakke" to me, please send me an e-mail. (If you're serious about this, you can get the email address at www.srkworld.com!)

My Father

My father, Mir Taj Mohammed, was 10 years older to my mother, Fatima, and therefore much older to me. I remember him as a gentle giant - 6’2” tall with typically Pathan good looks, grey eyes and brown hair. But he was very well-read and well educated too. He did MA, LLB and knew six languages - Persian, Sanskrit, Pushtu, Punjabi, Hindi and English. He was, in his time, the youngest freedom fighter.

Even today whenever I bump into people who knew him, they talk about his sense of humour, and how he was a gentleman. And I remember the same about him. I wish I could be like him or bring up my child in the same way that he brought us up but I don’t know if I will be able to because I am more temperamental than he was.

Somehow, my sister and I listened to him more than we listened to our mother. He was gentler than her. Of course, my mother loved us too but with my father we were friends. We used to sit for hours and listen to him talk on various topics. We used to call each other ‘yaar’. I did call him ‘papa’ but yaar was used more often. Probably because he never cajoled or pampered us like people do their children but instead, always treated us as individuals, as adults. It was always one-to-one.
My father had a great sense of humour. We used to stay on the top floor of our building. Once, an old couple staying on the ground floor complained to my father, “Upar se cheese neeche aati hai.” My father laughed at the comment and said, “Newton discovered that long ago."

In another incident, I was teasing a south Indian girl next door by blowing up their letter boxes. Her mother came home to complain and my father opened the door. The lady could not speak Hindi well and she said, “Aapka ladka ladki ko chedta hai meri.” He replied, “Is she as pretty as you are?” She said, “What?” My father repeated his question. She replied, “Yes…” My father said, “Then I don’t blame him. If I had met you earlier even I would have been after you!” She smiled.

Besides his sense of humour, another quality I have imbibed from my father is his passion for reading. My father was a very good human being. I try to imbibe that too. I think I have inherited his goodness, though not to the full extent. The only aspect I didn’t inherit was his love for gardening. My father even enjoyed talking to flowers but I have never done that. Perhaps when I am older…

I have definitely inherited my absent-mindedness from my father. I have seen him walk out of the house in just a shirt, shoes, socks - without his pants! He would eat his breakfast in the toilet! He would just forget he was in there. I too forget names, I forget to eat sometimes. But where work is concerned I do not forget anything.

My father never screamed or shouted at my sister and me. My mother did that; even fulfilling his quota. He never hit us but scolded us once or twice. Even if he got serious for even a second, it would scare me but after a while he would laugh it off. He once told me, “Shit, I can’t even get angry with you.”

In another incident, he told me, “Look, your sister is now supposed to be studying. So I will go into her room and throw the novel she is reading, out of the window. You go and get the novel back.” He went, shouted at her and threw the book out. It was a joke and his method to tell us what is to be done.

My dad had a hot temper, not like an Army officer, but he liked correct behaviour. He didn’t expect me to get up and touch the feet of elders but a certain kind of respect had to be shown towards them. Even today if an elderly person is seated next to me, I cannot keep my feet on the table. He never told me not to do so. His persona made me realize that I should not do it.

One routine which formed on its own was my dad giving me milk in the morning. It started because my mother could not get up sometimes. Then it became a routine. He would warm the milk and give me but later decided against it. So every morning we would we would walk to the Mother Diary booth (a milk dispenser typical of Delhi). He would insert a token and I would cup my hands and drink milk directly.

I never got irritated or angry with my father. In fact, I used to love watching my father come home in the evening. My dog would react to him when he was 15-20 feet away from the house. I would rush down take his bag and walk back with him or pick him at the bus stop if he came in a bus or car.

Because of my father, every activity in the house, every duty, was transformed into a game. He charged us with the idea that we were doing such-and-such work because we were having fun. Because of this, I find work fun. That is why, I guess, I’m so energetic. I enjoy small things like sitting and watching a squirrel climb a tree or sleeping on the terrace in the Delhi summers. It becomes a game for me - the best thing that could happen to me that day.

At four years of age, my father taught me that I alone would have to deal with my screw-ups. I was very naughty in school and in the colony and I regularly got into trouble. Once, during a game, I threw a rock at a boy called Tara. The rock bounced on the ground, hit his face and broke his teeth. He began bleeding. We were very scared. I had not done it on purpose. The boy’s father got drunk in the night and armed with a knife, came knocking on our door. As soon as my father opened the door, that man began abusing and screaming: “Your son hurt my son. I’ll kill him.”

He was a rowdy kind of a guy but my dad asked him if he wished to speak to me! Imagine, there was this drunk person with a knife in his hand and my father sent me to speak to him! My father closed the door, came inside and questioned me, “Shah Rukh, have you hurt somebody?” I said, “Yeah.” My mother was hyper but he coolly said, “He is standing outside, go deal with him.” I told Tara’s father, “Uncle I am really sorry. I didn’t mean to harm Tara. It just happened.” I was literally in tears. Of course he didn’t mean to hurt me. My father had that much confidence in human nature, I guess. Dad later opened the door and asked if everything was sorted out. He told that man, “If you have a problem with me, you talk to me. If you have problem with my son, you talk to him.” I could have taken my father’s stand to mean that he didn’t want to stand by me, but I realised that it was his very nice way of teaching me that if I got into trouble, I would have to sort it out myself.

My dad taught me that in the long run, honesty always pays. In my school, St Columba’s, whenever we took a day off we had to submit a leave letter or we would get caned. My father never stopped me from doing anything. If I said, “I don’t want to go to school today,” he would say, “If you don’t feel up to it, it’s okay.” And he would give me a leave letter next day.

One day, he called me and said, “Today you go to school and tell your teacher that you don’t have any excuse for being absent yesterday. I used to be really scared of Brother Morris, our tall, well-built Irish teacher. When he caned us, it really hurt. I told him, “My father normally gives me the letter but today he didn’t. Not because he did not want to but he said I have no excuse for not coming yesterday.” Brother said, “That’s the right attitude. At least you did not lie. You were honest.” And he let me go. My father had seen the whole world and had wonderful experiences in his life. He had fought for the freedom of the country, joined Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, fought the elections against Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and lost. He enjoyed the fact that he had lost even his zamanat, perhaps he was happy to lose to a great person. When he was 16 years old, he left his home in Peshawar and walked to Kashmir, India. He studied law in a girl’s college, in Delhi. He had no place to stay, so he went to the principal, an Englishman and asked him to let him stay in the hostel. There he was the only guy. It was illegal. He said he pulled it off because he was a charming and decent guy.

(To be Continued in Part - II)

In fact, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, 9 million households are likely to purchase HDTV products during the next 18 months. Another 30 million consumers consider themselves likely purchasers within the next three years.

This newer technology can be overwhelming for consumers, especially when they are not properly educated about the tools needed for the best setup of a high-definition home theater system.

Four basic elements are needed: picture, source, sound and assembly. Interestingly enough, the CEA says that approximately 30 percent of U.S. homes already have these basic ingredients.

* Picture: Most digital, high-definition televisions feature large screens in widescreen formats that create a theater-like experience right in your home. HDTV delivers crisp images that make you feel like you're part of the action.

Plasma and liquid crystal display televisions have generated the most excitement so far. These thin, lightweight sets can hang on a wall and only take up four inches of depth. Other examples include the microdisplay rear-projection televisions such as digital light processing sets. These TV sets are thinner, lighter and brighter than traditional projection TV sets.

* Source: Some high-definition televisions have a built-in tuner to receive local high-definition broadcasts. These are referred to as having "HD Built-In." Sets without an integrated tuner are "HD-Ready" and need a set-top box to decode the high-definition signal. Starting next year, many digital televisions will come with a high-definition tuner and the cable box built in, simplifying the connection for consumers.

* Sound: Most people don't realize that the high-definition television format incorporates digital 5.1 surround sound into high-definition broadcasts, giving you that "in the middle of the action" feel. For a truly engaging viewing experience, it is important to get a sound system that is comparable in quality to your television.

* Assembly: To tie it all together, you need to make sure you have the right cables and accessories to connect your system. Many consumers prefer using service personnel to deliver and set up the system at home - making sure everything is in place, connected and calibrated for the optimal home theater experience.

So how much does a home theater system cost? A wide range of prices are available, depending on an individual's needs and desires. For example, high-definition televisions sold at Best Buy start at less than $500 and go all the way up to $10,000, with numerous models in between.

When as play is shown to audiences very seldom is a thought given to the immense amount of hard work which has gone into the production of a play. One of the key elements for any play is that of a script. While it is important to have a script it is even more important that the play script be ones that is very good at capturing the imagination of the audience.

You will find great examples of play scripts which have gone on to successfully capture its target audience. These will of course include the famous My Fair Lady, Cats and also Starlight Express. These plays are ones that many people have gone to see many times while they were offered for the publics’ pleasure. you should understand that the script which is behind these various plays is the main reason why the popularity of these plays still linger even when they are not in our sights.

While there are many ways of getting a good play script it is still a good idea that the script reflects original ideas. This way the audience is going to see an item that will hold their interest instead of a play where the dialogue and even the play theme are well known. Some of the best play scripts that you can find are immortalized in memorable plays like South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Cats, The King and I, Rent among others.

The play scripts which have been developed by the creators of these plays allow talented actors, actresses, dancers, singers of stage and drama to show their incredible talent. There is another use for these play scripts. For the actors these scripts allow them the ability to remember the lines they need to say.

Likewise the places where the other actors need to insert their lines are clearly depicted. This means that each person will know where they need to start and finish. A play script is ideal for the directors of the play as well as the other people like the musical director. For these people the script will have various details which can help them steer the play in the direction that it needs to go.

As you see for us to enjoy a great play there are a multitude of items which need to be thought of. And among these a key item is that of a well thought out play script. Play scripts are therefore among the most important items that you can find to make any type of play a roaring success.

While there are many different types of plays that you can see, all of these have different themes to them. As the patron you will have the chance to choose which of these different plays you want to see. From a variety of comedy to drama to even action type plays there is something for everyone. In these plays the best ones are given a twist to their script. This twist provides a sense of wickedness. The wicked scripts are ones which will leave you with a heightened sense of anticipation.

These scripts will have all of the action and thrills that you crave. In general you are feeling like having which can usually be seen in movies and television shows. You may need to think twice about taking someone whom you are just acquainted to one of these shows which has a wicked script.

The really nice thing about these shows is that the dialogue between the characters is snappy and full of energy. You will be drawn into the show without really knowing it. You should however be prepared for anything to occur as the script of these shows is wicked – in terms of energy - and the action just pours out of them. A wicked script will help you to see just how an ordinary scene can be changed.

The only items that need to be remembered with a wicked script is that as the play is being shown in front of an audience it is best if the level of wickedness is toned down to an acceptable level. In these plays as well as the ordinary ones you will find that people enjoy seeing twists and turns that are not that familiar.

A wicked script that is well written will therefore be acceptable if the play is not one that the will cause the theater patrons to turn away in total horror. Since the plays which are written for audiences with tastes for the dramatic you will find that various scenarios have been given new takes.

All in all you could say that a wicked script has more going for it than your usual one. As the final link this is creative process you will be the recipient of programs which are wonderful. Plays that use a wicked script will help you to see life around you in a different manner. For this reason you may need to take a while to live the play and let your mind absorb all that is being conveyed in the play.

You will find that these plays have something for everyone. There are many plays which are based on popular movies and likewise there are movies which have been taken from these Broadway plays. If you are someone who loves watching action but would prefer to see this action happening right before your eyes it is perhaps a good idea to see what Broadway plays you can dig up.

The many different Broadway plays which are available can be ones which are perfect for an outing with the family or they can be ones for adults only. As you look at these many different plays you will notice that they are designed primarily to provide you with some quality entertainment.

The entire cast of these Broadway plays practices for quite a long period of time in order to bring you some great acting. When you are looking at the choices that you have it will become clear that many memorable plays have made their way through the doors of Broadway. These can be ones like the Disney movies which have been turned into plays.

You also have other Broadway plays that are known to people around the world due to the fact that they have also become movie history. If you have a wide ranging taste for different Broadway plays and musicals you will find lots of different plays to keep you entertained.

The discerning patrons of theater will find that there is lots of quality entertainment to be found in Broadway plays. The many immortal plays like Cats, The King and I, Rent and My Fair Lady are still influencing how we judge the Broadway plays of today. You will therefore find that good quality plays are capable of bringing lots of people to see them.

You should however keep in mind that not everyone has the same taste in Broadway plays as you. For this reason you will find that some plays are based on scripts which are unique to these plays. As a result there is bound to be instances where you will be quite disappointed with the shows that you have chosen.

On the other hand you just might find yourself spellbound by the sheer artistry and beauty of a play which has been created by an unknown playwright. This variety of Broadway plays is the reason why so many people still prefer to see live entertainment even with the advances in modern entertainment.

Stage work would definitely be very difficult to carry on without the use of an all-purpose item such as gaffer tape. Often called gaff tape, this is a very common tool used by photographers, film and theater directors to organize any form of artistic performance; basically consisting f cotton cloth with an adhesive part, gaffer tape is sensitive to pressure and incredibly strong at the same time. Where is gaffer tape actually used on stage? Well first of all, think about all those countless cables that seem to be in the way all the time; when going backstage you'd be surprised to see all the “cable” web that hides behind a scene.

Hence, gaffer tape is mainly used for securing light and motion cables directly to the floors, the walls or to any other surface where they're needed. Gaffer tape actually covers two main roles: on the one hand it ensures a safe work background by eliminating exposure to electric sources, and on the other hand, it camouflages the cables from the audience. Nevertheless, there are plenty other situations when gaffer tape works wonders: very often a simple, but absolutely necessary, fix is required, and gaffer tape sheerly makes the easiest and safest solution to it.

Some other times, gaffer tape replaces the so called artist tape in the fixation of a prop or in the labeling of the special broadcasting channels used for a certain show. There are all sorts of gaffer tape models, and they are special not just in size and design but in color as well. First of all, narrower gaffer tape may be required for certain applications, whereas others depend on wide sizes. Moreover, the color of the gaffer tape is equally important when it comes to integrating a certain prop in the background without showing any sign of differentiation.

For people who'd like to have it customized according to some particular specifications, gaffer tape can be ordered with many online manufacturers. Yet, the most common and widely used variates are the black and gray ones since the are generally applied to electricity cables that have this very same color. After being removed, there are no traces of gaffer tape left behind, which is a great feature for the clean use on occasions when residues are completely bothersome. It is not uncommon to try and substitute gaffer tape with duct tape for instance, but the latter is definitely lower in quality, leaving lots of residues behind.

There is nothing more satisfying than listening to great music. You will find that some of the really nice songs which you hear today are ones that come from Broadway show tunes. These many different show tunes will provide you with an insight about the current tastes that people have as regards to their relaxational moments. For people who are interested in listening to Broadway show tunes there are a few ways that this music and songs can be heard.

You can choose to buy these show tunes from stores which sell great musical tunes. The many different shows which have provided the songs and tunes that you will find on musical CDs makes listening a real pleasure. There are some CDs which have a mixture of different Broadway show tunes. By purchasing these CDs you will be able to choose from the various songs that you like to hear over and over again.

Besides buying musical CDs which feature Broadway show tunes you can also hear these show tunes when you visit the theater. The many different Broadway theaters should have a variety of shows that you can attend. As most of the selections in Broadway are of the musical variety it is inevitable that you will find fantastic sounding show tunes.

These many plays will allow you to see action, comedy, drama, musicals, classic themes and many others. The show tunes which you will hear from these plays are designed to enhance your enjoyment of the show. The many Broadway show tunes will for this reason allow you to experience the play in the manner to which it should be seen. When you hear these Broadway show tunes you will be able to forget that you are in a theater.

By going to a theater you have a better chance of really hearing how these Broadway show tunes are supposed to sound like. The height of the hall plays its part in the acoustics of the show tunes. By the time you are ready to leave the theater hall you will hear these show tunes and the songs ringing in your head. This memory of the play or musical will play its part in your wanting to hear the show tunes many times over.

If you like the Broadway show then you might want to see if there is any way that you can get a complete CD which features the show tunes from that play. These plays will provide you with many great memories. The Broadway show tunes are ones that will open a window into lots of songs that have influenced our lives.

Laura Schutter has been lighting up audiences all over the world, starring on Broadway and in London’s West End. She currently appears in the Broadway hit Mary Poppins. We took a few minutes to find out how her career began…

Q: We heard that you were discovered in a very dramatic way, like something out of 42nd Street…?
A: It was backstage during the Broadway tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. I started the tour as an understudy to the lead and one night during the show the lead became ill after the start of Act II. The stage manager grabbed me and sent me to quickly get my wig and red dress, and within two minutes I was on stage singing the biggest number in the show. The funny part is that I am about a foot shorter than the girl who normally played the part, and when I entered the stage I could sense the audience's confusion. However, at the end of the show I still received a standing ovation.

Q: How would you say performing in a Corporate Event is different than a Broadway show?
A: Performing in a corporate event differs from a full Broadway production in that the show often has many production numbers from a variety of shows - every number is different and exciting. One of my favorite numbers to perform is "All That Jazz" from the musical Chicago. Most people have seen or heard of Chicago from either the movie or the Broadway show so the audience response is always amazing.

Q: Do you have any special memories of these “audience responses”?
A: My favorite show was a recent event in Hawaii for Prudential (and not only since it was in Hawaii!). There were many songs in the production that had the audience singing along. By the end of the show they were on their feet and dancing with us on the dance floor. It was such a thrill to see how much they enjoyed our show.

Laura Schutter is currently performing in the Broadway Production of Mary Poppins. Other Broadway credits include The Apple Tree, Kiss Me Kate and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Laura has toured with many Broadway productions including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Parade, Kiss Me Kate, and Showboat in London's West End. www.lauraschutter.com

A headshot is a 10 x 8 (inches) or similar sized portrait. It commonly has person’s head & shoulders, and focuses on the face. The headshots that include a person’s shoulders are called ‘three quarter’ shots.

A 10 x 8 headshot is a business card for actors or entertainers and is presented to casting directors who decide whether a person’s look is right for the particular role.

In the UK actors headshots are traditionally black and white, whereas in USA they are often in colour. Therefore it is important to make sure that your photographer knows what market the actor intends to present their headshots to.

The best headshot should show a person as they are (age, look, style, etc.) and reflect their best qualities. It should be natural and reflect person’s current look. Therefore, for example, if an actor/actress has cut and coloured their hair, he/she would then require a new headshot… that includes scars ageing.

It is also important that an actor/actress wears simple neutral coloured (usually black or white) clothing that does not contain prints. The focus and attention should be emphasised on the face and not the t-shirt with imprinted flowers or palm trees or logos!

Headshot should invite the viewer in and make them want to know a person better. It should also provide a glimpse into the person’s character or present their potential for the role a casting director is looking to fill. It is the only thing casting director is judging you by and there is no a second chance.

Commercial – typically (not always) has the person smiling and projects warmth and friendliness.

Theatrical – usually serious, focused and actors are NOT smiling.

How much does the headshot cost?

Actors’ headshots could cost anything between £50 and £250. Going for the cheapest or the most expensive options may not be the best choices sometimes. There could be possibilities of either not getting a good quality or simply overpaying for the services that could be obtained elsewhere.

Many photographers offer different service packages that may include make-up, hair styling, an option of costume changes, variations on hours and number of photographs taken. Some photographers also offer cheaper sessions because they shoot from home and do not have large overheads from hiring studios. It is up to an Actor to decide, which option is the most appropriate for them. Make sure that it is safe and professional.

Therefore, it could be advised:

Firstly a person planning to do their headshot needs to look at photographer’s portfolio (online or a hard copy) to determine if their style of headshots photography is right for them.

Second, enquires if services such as make-up and a costume change are available. Many photographers collaborate with professional make-up artists that could be hired for an extra fee.

You will find that these plays have something for everyone. There are many plays which are based on popular movies and likewise there are movies which have been taken from these Broadway plays. If you are someone who loves watching action but would prefer to see this action happening right before your eyes it is perhaps a good idea to see what Broadway plays you can dig up.

The many different Broadway plays which are available can be ones which are perfect for an outing with the family or they can be ones for adults only. As you look at these many different plays you will notice that they are designed primarily to provide you with some quality entertainment.

The entire cast of these Broadway plays practices for quite a long period of time in order to bring you some great acting. When you are looking at the choices that you have it will become clear that many memorable plays have made their way through the doors of Broadway. These can be ones like the Disney movies which have been turned into plays.

You also have other Broadway plays that are known to people around the world due to the fact that they have also become movie history. If you have a wide ranging taste for different Broadway plays and musicals you will find lots of different plays to keep you entertained.

The discerning patrons of theater will find that there is lots of quality entertainment to be found in Broadway plays. The many immortal plays like Cats, The King and I, Rent and My Fair Lady are still influencing how we judge the Broadway plays of today. You will therefore find that good quality plays are capable of bringing lots of people to see them.

You should however keep in mind that not everyone has the same taste in Broadway plays as you. For this reason you will find that some plays are based on scripts which are unique to these plays. As a result there is bound to be instances where you will be quite disappointed with the shows that you have chosen.

On the other hand you just might find yourself spellbound by the sheer artistry and beauty of a play which has been created by an unknown playwright. This variety of Broadway plays is the reason why so many people still prefer to see live entertainment even with the advances in modern entertainment.

In different cities in America some theater organizes special broadway and off-broadway show for children. In major cities and town there are many show organize each day. The local newspaper and the big hordings at the main road are the key source of information about the show. There are different types of show organized for the children’s where children gets the more entertainment. It is ideal to select the proper show from your children. Here are the tips to select the broadway show for your children.

1. First tips is to identify the show from the newspaper and magazine or hordings. You must have to discuss with your children and know their interest. There are broadway or off broadway shows organized so you have to select the proper one for your child. Also give some description about the show. Once your children get agree on the show you move further.

2. You must have to get the inquiry about the show time and availability of the booking. You must have to decide which class of ticket you need to buy from the booking office. Also confirm the timing of the show. You must have to through about various alternative for the tickets.

3. While booking the show ticket you must have to ask for discount. There are many show offer different types of discount if you book in advance or if you book the ticket in bulk. The theater give discount from 20 percent to 60 percent.

4. It is advisable to book your ticket in advance to avoid last time rush and get the good discount on the ticket.

5. It is essential to presence in the show early because you get the idea about the seat location and select the proper seat. Also interest with your child while show get start.

You will find that these plays have something for everyone. There are many plays which are based on popular movies and likewise there are movies which have been taken from these Broadway plays. If you are someone who loves watching action but would prefer to see this action happening right before your eyes it is perhaps a good idea to see what Broadway plays you can dig up.

The many different Broadway plays which are available can be ones which are perfect for an outing with the family or they can be ones for adults only. As you look at these many different plays you will notice that they are designed primarily to provide you with some quality entertainment.

The entire cast of these Broadway plays practices for quite a long period of time in order to bring you some great acting. When you are looking at the choices that you have it will become clear that many memorable plays have made their way through the doors of Broadway. These can be ones like the Disney movies which have been turned into plays.

You also have other Broadway plays that are known to people around the world due to the fact that they have also become movie history. If you have a wide ranging taste for different Broadway plays and musicals you will find lots of different plays to keep you entertained.

The discerning patrons of theater will find that there is lots of quality entertainment to be found in Broadway plays. The many immortal plays like Cats, The King and I, Rent and My Fair Lady are still influencing how we judge the Broadway plays of today. You will therefore find that good quality plays are capable of bringing lots of people to see them.

You should however keep in mind that not everyone has the same taste in Broadway plays as you. For this reason you will find that some plays are based on scripts which are unique to these plays. As a result there is bound to be instances where you will be quite disappointed with the shows that you have chosen.

On the other hand you just might find yourself spellbound by the sheer artistry and beauty of a play which has been created by an unknown playwright. This variety of Broadway plays is the reason why so many people still prefer to see live entertainment even with the advances in modern entertainment.

The 80’s is back, if not in time, it is in demand. Old clothes thrown out at the beginning of the 90’s are slowly being spotted on the high street again, and the crazy hair style reminiscent of the great boom and bust era are once again all the rage – for some.

So is it any surprise that two iconic 80’s themes are being merged at the Novelio theatre this November? Desperately Seeking Susan the Musical is based on the hit 80’s romantic comedy movie which Starred Madonna in 1985. And to top it off, the musical is set to feature the back catalogue of Blondie songs to get the heart beating and the nostalgia really flowing.

The plot – Well Roberta Glass is a suburban New Jersey housewife looking for escape from her boring life, and Susan is a street savvy New York Drifter, who with her boyfriend lead a faar from dull life involving jewel heists, magic shows and rock n roll.

This classic rite of passage film caught a tidal wave in the 80’sand the musical looks set to do the same. When you consider the music’s set to this show it is one you just can not miss if you lived through the 80’s or just love the 80’s.

The tracks that are set to feature include the classics, One Way or Another, Dreaming, Heart of Glass and Atomic. Get searching for some of the great hotel and theatre package offers that are out there at the moments, and come down and re-live the 80’s.

In fact, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, 9 million households are likely to purchase HDTV products during the next 18 months. Another 30 million consumers consider themselves likely purchasers within the next three years.

This newer technology can be overwhelming for consumers, especially when they are not properly educated about the tools needed for the best setup of a high-definition home theater system.

Four basic elements are needed: picture, source, sound and assembly. Interestingly enough, the CEA says that approximately 30 percent of U.S. homes already have these basic ingredients.

* Picture: Most digital, high-definition televisions feature large screens in widescreen formats that create a theater-like experience right in your home. HDTV delivers crisp images that make you feel like you're part of the action.

Plasma and liquid crystal display televisions have generated the most excitement so far. These thin, lightweight sets can hang on a wall and only take up four inches of depth. Other examples include the microdisplay rear-projection televisions such as digital light processing sets. These TV sets are thinner, lighter and brighter than traditional projection TV sets.

* Source: Some high-definition televisions have a built-in tuner to receive local high-definition broadcasts. These are referred to as having "HD Built-In." Sets without an integrated tuner are "HD-Ready" and need a set-top box to decode the high-definition signal. Starting next year, many digital televisions will come with a high-definition tuner and the cable box built in, simplifying the connection for consumers.

* Sound: Most people don't realize that the high-definition television format incorporates digital 5.1 surround sound into high-definition broadcasts, giving you that "in the middle of the action" feel. For a truly engaging viewing experience, it is important to get a sound system that is comparable in quality to your television.

* Assembly: To tie it all together, you need to make sure you have the right cables and accessories to connect your system. Many consumers prefer using service personnel to deliver and set up the system at home - making sure everything is in place, connected and calibrated for the optimal home theater experience.

So how much does a home theater system cost? A wide range of prices are available, depending on an individual's needs and desires. For example, high-definition televisions sold at Best Buy start at less than $500 and go all the way up to $10,000, with numerous models in between.

But many businesses are using them to keep track of meetings and ensure clients and business associates stand behind their word. Cameras can also provide proof of wrongdoing, connecting the dots when people are where they shouldn't be.

At anytime and in any place you can't watch, a camera can. Many surveillance systems offer remote accessibility. This option allows people to see what is going on from their PC or laptop, whether they are across town or in a hotel room across an ocean.

CCS International (OTC BB: SITG) is one of the most well-known makers of surveillance equipment. Its video surveillance systems can monitor, record and broadcast real-life conditions to ensure peace of mind.

CCS video systems can be either covert or overt. Covert video does not allow subjects to know they are under surveillance, while overt video does.

Video images are an invaluable tool for companies, whether they are used to help protect against theft and sabotage, or merely to keep an eye on warehouse operations.

The Spy Line-4 from CCS International, for instance, can be set up in a variety of settings - stores, factories, warehouses, board rooms or even in a home office - and can be accessed and controlled from a remote personal computer.

This video security system is available in color and with audio and can transmit high-quality compressed video images from four cameras.

On 2nd November 1965 a normal occurrence happened at the Talwar Nursing Home in New Delhi. Just like many newborns, I was born with the umbilical cord entangled around my neck. A nurse said that it was by the blessings of Hanuman and that I would be a very lucky child. I don’t know if I believe in it but it is the one thing I was told by my parents about my birth that I remember.

We lived in Rajinder Nagar, I even remember the house number it was F-442. I have vague memories of my playschool, I think it was called Tiny Tots and was right next to our house.

After playschool I began my formal education at St. Columba's High School, New Delhi. It was near Gole market, run by Irish brothers who believed in discipline and a very high standard of education.

I can recall my first day and the teacher who interviewed me, Mrs. Bala, asked me to tell her what my father’s profession was. And at that point my father had a transportation business, I had seen him dealing with tempos, trucks, etc. I believed anyone having anything to do with vehicles was a driver. So I replied that my dad was a tempo driver. Mrs. Bala told me that I had very cute dimples and then asked me to kiss her. That was my first kiss. Oh yes, and I was admitted to the school.

We were given black and golden stars for our behaviour and test results. Five black stars meant lying across Mrs. Bala’s lap and getting spanked three times, I think. Being quite naughty I was spanked a lot. I wish the same treatment was meted out to me even now. Looking back one realizes that what one thought punishment was actually quite pleasurable.

Overall my early years of schooling were quite wonderful. I had my share of spanking, and was often made to stand in the corner with my finger on the lips. I was forced by my teacher to learn how to swim by being thrown into the water and expected to survive with gallons of water in my stomach, eyes and ears. Till date I hate swimming…and my teacher for subjecting me to this torture.

But all said and done I love all my teachers. They were very kind and sweet. I guess the essence of one’s life is developed during these formative years. And I feel I had the best formative years because of the nice teachers I had.

Here’s to all of them…good morning ma’am and thank you ma’am.

Incidents & Accidents

One important turning point in my life occurred because I was very bad in Hindi. I used to get 2 or 3 on 10 and always failed in this subject. Once, my mother told me that if I got full marks in Hindi she would take me to see a Hindi film in the theatre. I had never been to a movie hall before. So I stayed up all night and studied my butt off and managed to get full marks and my mother took me to see my first Hindi film, in a theatre.

Two things happened because of this incident. One, I became quite the Hindi pundit and later always did very well in Hindi. And secondly, I got the feel for Hindi films. My command over the language helps me immensely to essay my roles in films today. The moral of the story is, if your mom tells you to study hard, do it. You may just become a film star and your education will help you one helluva lot. But if your mother is insisting on anthropology or biochemistry or perhaps aromatic therapy, then ignore her.

I remember sitting on the wall and blowing flying kisses to the schoolgirls passing by. Once a girl came complaining to my dad but my father was sure that it could not be me as I was too young. He made the girl wait so that she could see me and realise that it was the neighbour’s son who was teasing her and not me. But to my father’s embarrassment I walked in without my pants on and on seeing the girl blew her a flying kiss and told my dad that this was my sweetheart. This was the first and last girl I ever made a pass to.

St. Columba's School

Right or wrong…east or west, my school is the best. St. Columba's was a strict disciplinarian school run by Irish brothers. One could not wear the wrong uniform or grow their hair beyond a certain length. Many a times I had to get my hair cut in front of the whole assembly of students early in the morning. The barber used to be from a nearby street-side shop who hadn’t bathed or brushed his teeth. He was as sorry to be there as I was to be sitting on his uncomfortable chair. And before beginning his hack job, he would ask if I wanted a Dharmendra or an Amitabh cut. By the time he was through, I just hoped I didn’t look like a porcupine or a pineapple. My hair never recovered from these frequent attacks. ;-) This truly is the secret of my hairstyle, if one can call it that.

I was quite a good student, though I never studied throughout the year. The only time I studied was the night before the exam, when I wouldn’t sleep a wink and go straight for the exam. I did rather well and this gave me the opportunity to do a whole lot of interesting stuff in school.

In School…

My favourite soccer stars are Socrates, Pele, Maradona and Mattheus. And I loved Aslam Sher Khan and wanted to be like him and represent the country.

Electronics was my favourite subject at my A levels, and I think I got the highest marks in it when I passed out.

Mathematics was my weakest subject in school and I still have a problem with numbers. So much so if someone tells me a phone number I have to ask for it several times before I can write it down on paper. I even forget my office and residence phone number.

English, and especially Shakespeare, was my other favourite.

Mumtaz…

Mumtaz was my absolute favourite. We used to listen to the radio at night and this is when all my dancing abilities were best showcased. One had to just tell me that the song on radio was from a Mumtaz film and I would move 20 frames per second, like the way people move in the old Charlie Chaplin films.

I loved the way she moved her hips. I think nobody in this world can be as beautiful a sight as she used to be. She was sensual, innocent, naughty and very energetic, all at the same time. She was the first personality I mimicked. I loved to walk like her and dance like her.

Usually actors have very important personalities and performers as their idols. Mine was Mumtaz. Not to say that she was unimportant or not special. What I mean is that for a guy she was an unconventional role model. To me she was the single most important cause of my tilt towards anything that had vaguely to do with the performing arts.

My favourite song used to be from a Shammi Kapoor film, Brahmachari. Its lyrics still intrigue me: “Chakke pe chakka, chakke mein gaadi, gaadi pe nikli apni swaari...” Anyone who can explain the meaning of "chakke" to me, please send me an e-mail. (If you're serious about this, you can get the email address at www.srkworld.com!)

My Father

My father, Mir Taj Mohammed, was 10 years older to my mother, Fatima, and therefore much older to me. I remember him as a gentle giant - 6’2” tall with typically Pathan good looks, grey eyes and brown hair. But he was very well-read and well educated too. He did MA, LLB and knew six languages - Persian, Sanskrit, Pushtu, Punjabi, Hindi and English. He was, in his time, the youngest freedom fighter.

Even today whenever I bump into people who knew him, they talk about his sense of humour, and how he was a gentleman. And I remember the same about him. I wish I could be like him or bring up my child in the same way that he brought us up but I don’t know if I will be able to because I am more temperamental than he was.

Somehow, my sister and I listened to him more than we listened to our mother. He was gentler than her. Of course, my mother loved us too but with my father we were friends. We used to sit for hours and listen to him talk on various topics. We used to call each other ‘yaar’. I did call him ‘papa’ but yaar was used more often. Probably because he never cajoled or pampered us like people do their children but instead, always treated us as individuals, as adults. It was always one-to-one.
My father had a great sense of humour. We used to stay on the top floor of our building. Once, an old couple staying on the ground floor complained to my father, “Upar se cheese neeche aati hai.” My father laughed at the comment and said, “Newton discovered that long ago."

In another incident, I was teasing a south Indian girl next door by blowing up their letter boxes. Her mother came home to complain and my father opened the door. The lady could not speak Hindi well and she said, “Aapka ladka ladki ko chedta hai meri.” He replied, “Is she as pretty as you are?” She said, “What?” My father repeated his question. She replied, “Yes…” My father said, “Then I don’t blame him. If I had met you earlier even I would have been after you!” She smiled.

Besides his sense of humour, another quality I have imbibed from my father is his passion for reading. My father was a very good human being. I try to imbibe that too. I think I have inherited his goodness, though not to the full extent. The only aspect I didn’t inherit was his love for gardening. My father even enjoyed talking to flowers but I have never done that. Perhaps when I am older…

I have definitely inherited my absent-mindedness from my father. I have seen him walk out of the house in just a shirt, shoes, socks - without his pants! He would eat his breakfast in the toilet! He would just forget he was in there. I too forget names, I forget to eat sometimes. But where work is concerned I do not forget anything.

My father never screamed or shouted at my sister and me. My mother did that; even fulfilling his quota. He never hit us but scolded us once or twice. Even if he got serious for even a second, it would scare me but after a while he would laugh it off. He once told me, “Shit, I can’t even get angry with you.”

In another incident, he told me, “Look, your sister is now supposed to be studying. So I will go into her room and throw the novel she is reading, out of the window. You go and get the novel back.” He went, shouted at her and threw the book out. It was a joke and his method to tell us what is to be done.

My dad had a hot temper, not like an Army officer, but he liked correct behaviour. He didn’t expect me to get up and touch the feet of elders but a certain kind of respect had to be shown towards them. Even today if an elderly person is seated next to me, I cannot keep my feet on the table. He never told me not to do so. His persona made me realize that I should not do it.

One routine which formed on its own was my dad giving me milk in the morning. It started because my mother could not get up sometimes. Then it became a routine. He would warm the milk and give me but later decided against it. So every morning we would we would walk to the Mother Diary booth (a milk dispenser typical of Delhi). He would insert a token and I would cup my hands and drink milk directly.

I never got irritated or angry with my father. In fact, I used to love watching my father come home in the evening. My dog would react to him when he was 15-20 feet away from the house. I would rush down take his bag and walk back with him or pick him at the bus stop if he came in a bus or car.

Because of my father, every activity in the house, every duty, was transformed into a game. He charged us with the idea that we were doing such-and-such work because we were having fun. Because of this, I find work fun. That is why, I guess, I’m so energetic. I enjoy small things like sitting and watching a squirrel climb a tree or sleeping on the terrace in the Delhi summers. It becomes a game for me - the best thing that could happen to me that day.

At four years of age, my father taught me that I alone would have to deal with my screw-ups. I was very naughty in school and in the colony and I regularly got into trouble. Once, during a game, I threw a rock at a boy called Tara. The rock bounced on the ground, hit his face and broke his teeth. He began bleeding. We were very scared. I had not done it on purpose. The boy’s father got drunk in the night and armed with a knife, came knocking on our door. As soon as my father opened the door, that man began abusing and screaming: “Your son hurt my son. I’ll kill him.”

He was a rowdy kind of a guy but my dad asked him if he wished to speak to me! Imagine, there was this drunk person with a knife in his hand and my father sent me to speak to him! My father closed the door, came inside and questioned me, “Shah Rukh, have you hurt somebody?” I said, “Yeah.” My mother was hyper but he coolly said, “He is standing outside, go deal with him.” I told Tara’s father, “Uncle I am really sorry. I didn’t mean to harm Tara. It just happened.” I was literally in tears. Of course he didn’t mean to hurt me. My father had that much confidence in human nature, I guess. Dad later opened the door and asked if everything was sorted out. He told that man, “If you have a problem with me, you talk to me. If you have problem with my son, you talk to him.” I could have taken my father’s stand to mean that he didn’t want to stand by me, but I realised that it was his very nice way of teaching me that if I got into trouble, I would have to sort it out myself.

My dad taught me that in the long run, honesty always pays. In my school, St Columba’s, whenever we took a day off we had to submit a leave letter or we would get caned. My father never stopped me from doing anything. If I said, “I don’t want to go to school today,” he would say, “If you don’t feel up to it, it’s okay.” And he would give me a leave letter next day.

One day, he called me and said, “Today you go to school and tell your teacher that you don’t have any excuse for being absent yesterday. I used to be really scared of Brother Morris, our tall, well-built Irish teacher. When he caned us, it really hurt. I told him, “My father normally gives me the letter but today he didn’t. Not because he did not want to but he said I have no excuse for not coming yesterday.” Brother said, “That’s the right attitude. At least you did not lie. You were honest.” And he let me go. My father had seen the whole world and had wonderful experiences in his life. He had fought for the freedom of the country, joined Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, fought the elections against Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and lost. He enjoyed the fact that he had lost even his zamanat, perhaps he was happy to lose to a great person. When he was 16 years old, he left his home in Peshawar and walked to Kashmir, India. He studied law in a girl’s college, in Delhi. He had no place to stay, so he went to the principal, an Englishman and asked him to let him stay in the hostel. There he was the only guy. It was illegal. He said he pulled it off because he was a charming and decent guy.

(To be Continued in Part - II)