PEDRO PORTUGUEZ
THe young Portuguez boy pleading for protection
Written and directed by Anthony Sylvester the Tiatro “Pedro Portuguez’, I SAW on 23rd of this month at Panjim Kala Academy Hall starting at 7.45 PM with an attendance of over 75% of Hall capacity.
Seen above singing the Opening Chorus
The tiatro was well performed by all the participating artistes among whom Wilson Mazarello a seasoned artiste appropriately played the stellar role as PEDRO PORTUGUEZ with flawless Portuguez expressions. Earlier his role as a small young boy without father and mother who were both killed during the forcible annexation of Goa by the rulers of “Ghanttianchem Raj” with their mighty Millitary power which was within a short time turned into A BIG ZERO by the Chinese, was played by Jone Cristo Alphonso who while pleading for a shelter protection for him from a Goan family, makes many among the audience cry.
One of the Scenes where you see Bachan & Sharon
The roles of Sarpanch and Talathi played by Tony de Ribandar and veteran Clara respectively and who herself was fluent in Portuguese as seen from her expressions, played their roles well indicating their typical Goan way of extorting bribe from the locals. Thru this disclosure they have once again disgraced the Panchayat and mainly those rascal Sarpanches and Panch members who are shamelessly by forgetting their self respect and dignity extorting bribe for approving certain documents.
Both the Bushans - husband and wife-rendering one of their duets
During those chaotic days of Goans when from 19-12-61 the mighty Indian Millitary marched over my sacred and virgin land called Goa which was known to produce great sages and intellectuals and other greats like World renown Hypnotist Abe Faria, the Catholic Priestly class of revolutionaries and my neighbours who are known as Pinto revolutionaries and who being Priests tried to overthrow the Portuguese but unfortunately caught just when their revolution was about to start.
Bachan & Pedro Portuguez in one of the Scenes
The play was surrounded around three brothers one was a sort of adopted that is Portugueze who is kown as Pedro Portuguez and the other two whose roles beautifully played by the genuine brothers Comedian Domnick and Comedian Luis Bachan, the former tried to push his adopted brother out of their house and sell their ancestral beautiful house for the non-Goan builder for the love of money. This proposal Pedro Portuguez objects and finally all the three brothers agree not to part with thir house. Pedro Portuguez played a sterling role in impressing upon not only his brother but even to others never to give or sell their ancestral houses to the outsiders. It is a pity even the portuguez indicated their patriotism and love for Goa but NOT OUR GOANS.
Singing their duets are Wilson & Sharon
Then Pedro Portuguez opts to leave Goa with a very heavy heart for Portugal with a firm promise to help any Goykar in distress in Portugal.
Seen Anthony San singing his solo
Sharon played a good role of the wife of one of the brothers, her role to calm down the hot temper existing among the brothers was to be appreciated. Besides. Her “Cantos” which she delivered with her mellifluent voice are to be highly appreciated.
The comedy part was very well played by Bachan assisted by Fatima especially when she plays the role of a “Dukornkan” selling liquor.
The Side Show songs were good but especial mention must be made to the solos of Marcus Vaz, Tony de Ribndar, Anthony San, the opening Chorus rendered by all the 4 singers as indicated in the photo No. 2, the Duets of Wilson & Sharon Mazarello and that of Bushans – the style and the confidence Bushan indicates while singing is really to be applauded and I do applaud her.
As a whole, the Tiatro was well staged and the director whom I know since a long time now as a great lover and promoter of Tiatro did his job well. I salute his direction and control over what was spoken and sung on the Stage because there was no duble meaning statement nor vulgarity mouthed by the comedians. This was the rare opportunity for the audience to see the Vulgarity Free Tiatro.
A.Veronica Fernandes