Transgenders in plays: Do you enjoy theatre with a little bit of Sheila?
By Sher Ali / Saadia Qamar
Published: June 24, 2012
http://tribune.com.pk/story/398563/transgenders-in-plays-do-you-enjoy-theatre-with-a-little-bit-of-sheila/Over the last few years, including a eunuch has become a common practice in Pakistani theatre. The reasons behind this trend vary; while some say the person who plays the character of a eunuch always adds comic relief, Sharabeel says it may be linked to Bollywood.
"We don't have eunuchs in all our plays. This character is included in the play just to add more humour to it and we have never received any complaints," says Sharabeel, adding that only five of the 50 plays he has directed have had transgender characters.
[...]
Eunuchs don't agree
A group of eunuchs that we spoke to, however, did not see the lighter side like some audiences did. One said that portraying eunuchs theatrically can be detrimental for their community.
