LAHORE: An acting workshop aimed at revival of socially meaningful Punjabi theatre kicked off at the Alhamra Art Center, The Mall, on Thursday. The month-long workshop, that will be conducted by noted film and stage comedian Iftikhar Thakur, is an initiative taken by Minister for Culture and Information Azma Bukhari for the revival of healthy and decent Punjabi theatre at Alhamra. Lahore Arts Council (LAC) Board of Governors (BoG) Chairman Razi Ahmed and comedian Iftikhar Thakur jointly inaugurated the acting workshop. Razi Ahmed, in his introductory remarks, welcomed Mr Thakur to the workshop which has been planned by Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts. Mr Ahmed hoped that the workshop would open doors to quality theatre. He held Mr Thakur in high esteem for his services in the field of theatre and film. He said such workshops would remain part and parcel of Alhamra, hoping that the youth would learn a lot from such activities. Ahmed said internationally acclaimed plays would also be staged at Alhamra in Punjabi language.He hoped that Mr Thakur and his students would be able to produce a new play every week for the Lahore’s theatre audience. Mr Thakur thanked the LAC for the initiative, saying that after the culmination of the workshop a play, prepared by his students, would be staged at Alhamra. During the workshop, he said, the students would be taught acting skills and their confidence would be boosted so they could perform in front of a large audience. He praised Qaiser Javed, the acting class teacher At Alhamra, saying he had a tremendous career. He added that Javed was also his teacher in the field of acting. Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts Deputy Director Muhammad Arif told Dawn that the workshop would be a milestone in honing the acting skills of the youth interested in this art form.