PANJIM: ‘Portugez Passport’, a tiatr written by Peter Vaz, directed by Wilson Mazarello and presented by Taleigao Dramatic Troupe, Taleigao, highlighted the prevailing scenario in UK and the impact of Goans migrating there.
Giving up his humble service of a motorcycle pilot rider in Goa, Jack Vaz (Peter Vaz) migrates to London along with two school-going children Inas (Frazer Fernandes) and Cecilia (Sandra de Souza). But he decides to leave behind his wife so that she can shoulder other responsibilities.
Concerned about the future of his neighbour Robert (Joaquim Almeida), who carried out the same profession back in Goa, Jack assists him to prepare his Portuguese passport. On arrival in UK, he also moves an inch forward and shelters Robert, his wife Anita (Maria Fernandes), son Jude (Shane da Costa) and Sara (Candida de Souza) in his spacious bungalow.
Now, the only difference between the two Goan families in UK is: Jack makes all efforts to keep his children under his fold by providing them good moral values and discipline, despite their poor academic career. On the other hand, Robert is unable to keep his grown-up children under his control.
His wife, Anita too takes advantage of Robert’s simplicity and falls in love with Benny Braganza (Sandeep Palkar), who turns to be her boss. What follows next in the two households is worth watching during the second half of the drama.
Focusing on the ‘Year of Mercy’ declared by Pope Francis this year, Peter Vaz has made good efforts to script his tiatr on the prevailing theme and show its relevance in the family. The story flows smoothly with incorporation of idioms, pros and cons of Goans migrating to UK, besides sleek direction by Wilson Mazarello.
Peter Vaz excels as simpleton Jack while his neighbour Joaquim Almeida does justice to his serious character. Maria along with Shane and Candida deliver promptly in their respective roles. As a British police officer, Celrich Almeida shows command with the typical English accent. Sandeep Palkar outshines as the villain.
But among all the artistes, for some laughter pills, Frazer Fernandes and Sandra de Souza as siblings along with Peter Vaz stole the show with good dialogue delivery and body language.
Besides the stage sets by Anthony de Ambajim and lights by Gautam Gaude, the echoing of the title in the background at the start of every ‘podd’ddo’ and the snowfall on the streets need to be commended.
In the presentation of songs, there were varied themes in various formats. Songs rendered by Shayna Brito, Betty D’Cunha, Livia da Silva and a duo by Albino Pires and Custodio Cabral were appealing to the ears.
