Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 17
After weeks of practice and rehearsal, the students of Hope Academy presented the musical drama ‘Gift of life’ on December 17 at Agri Expo, Dimapur. Tali Angh, musician and songwriter graced the event as special guest.
‘Gift of life’ is an adaptation of Frank Capra’s movie “It’s a wonderful life”. The play which runs close to about 60 minutes winds up all the important aspects of life, “family, friendship, faith and love” and takes the viewers into a serene yet enchanting experience keeping them on their toes at all time.
[caption id="attachment_237807" align="alignnone" width="628"]
Students of Hope Academy performs the musical drama ‘Gift of life’ at Agri Expo, Dimapur on December 17. (Photo by Manen Aier)[/caption]
With a massive cast of more than 60 students including the main characters, choir and dancers, the play begins on the night of Christmas Eve, with the prayers of seven individuals who pray for the well being of a certain man named George Bailey. Their prayers reach heaven where God assigns Clarence; a second class angel without wings; to go down to earth and stop George from committing the worst mistake of his life ‘suicide’.
The narrative tells of Clarence preparation for his task. Clarence is shown glimpses of George's life from his childhood till his adulthood. Clarence witness how 12 year old George saves his younger brother Harry from drowning, and how as a teenager while working part time at a drug store intervenes and stops Mr Grower from poisoning a child. God then takes Clarence to meet George and his family. George, in his late thirties is married to Mary. They have two daughters- Janie and Zuzu. God tells Clarence how George had sacrificed all his dreams and ambitions to keep his late father's construction company running. Together with his uncle; Mr. Billy; he had not only kept the company alive, but had also helped many people get back up from slums.
Potter, the antagonist and George's business rival; a very rich yet cruel man; is frustrated at losing control of the housing market and attempts to lure George into becoming his assistant, but George refuses knowing that Potter always do things for his personal gain. Everything seems to go in George's favour until Mr. Billy misplaces the money that is supposed to clear all the company's debt. George realises that he would be held responsible and terrified of the prospect of going to jail, he contemplates suicide. That's when Clarence appears in front of George to persuade him not to throw away God's greatest gift 'Life' but George does not believe him. Instead, he wishes that he was never even born, Clarence grants his wish. Clarence shows him how.
The musical drama was directed by Wapangmeren and Lanutemsu; dance choreography by Toshimeren, music by Purkumzuk with Maong Aier on drum, Ayangla on keyboard, Chuba Lemtur on lead and Nuksung Jamir on Acoustic.
