‘Theatre should use
talented students’
Robab Rosan is captivated with astounding world theatre performances from students at Dhaka University during the ten-day annual theatre festival which ends on November 27
photo by Robab Rosan
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It has always been a difficult task to adapt and stage a world classic, particularly the old European and American plays. Creating a set and costumes for the actors is duty that calls upon much artistic ability and creativity. The students participating in the opening play, Othello, the Moor of Venice, were able to captivate their audience so successfully that it did not feel as though they were watching a Shakespearian translation. The set and costume of the play were simple but created the ideal ambience for a Shakespearian play.
The ten-day annual theatre festival, organised by the theatre and music department of the university is taking place at the Teacher-Student Centre auditorium at Dhaka University. The festival which began on November 18 will continue till November 27, beginning at 6:30pm every evening.
The students of the theatre and music department of Dhaka University have proven themselves to be dazzling performers, creative directors and set designers. These students have proven themselves as multitalented, doing amazing work with lighting, costume, music and other backstage activities. Their devotion, practice and professional attitude in presenting classic plays have allowed them to captivate their audience and earn critical appreciation from all.
Thirteen plays are scheduled to be staged during this festival which was inaugurated by the vice chancellor of the university Dr SMA Faiz. The inaugural ceremony was followed by the performance of William Shakespeare’s Othello. The play, translated by Munier Chowdhury and Kabir Chowdhury, was directed by Adity Arzu.
Ashikur Rahman Lion acting as Othello, Nila Saha as Desdemona, Atikur Rahman as Iago, Rehena Khatun as Emilia and Aslam Aranya as Roderigo enthralled the audience with their respective roles. They easily communicated their emotions to the audience with the use of colloquial language and common western attire. The performers were able to move the large crowd presenting the pathos of Othello and the tragic ending of the couple. Nowshin Laila and Tamanna Hasan jointly designed the set and costume while Ashikur Rahman, Belayet Hossain and Aminul Haque were responsible for lighting; and Rehana Khatun and Nusrat Jahan for makeup and Nila Saha for music. The background music of the play successfully evoked the aura of the tragedy although the sound could have been improved. The director of the play deserves special mention for the production.
The play ‘Kayed-E-Hayat’, written by Surendra Varma and directed by Farzana Kabir, was staged on November 19. It was based on the life and work of the great Urdu poet Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib (1897-1869).
Another world famous tragi-comedy, Desire under the Elms written by American Nobel laureate Eugene O’Neal was staged on November 20 The play was translated by Kabir Chowdhury and directed by Shakila Sumi. Living up to their past performances, the students once again held a speechless audience, perhaps this time even more successfully. This foreign play was also delivered in a manner so to make the audience relate to the characters and storyline. The performers Rajib Chandra Das, Mohammad Ismail Hossain, Israt Kabir, Mirza Shakib and Nasirul Islam uphold the spirit of the play and delighted the audience. Rajin Chandra Das, who also designed the set, and Mirza Shakib deserve special mention for their responsibilities.
Dr Israfil Shaheen chairman of the theatre and music department at Dhaka University, mentions that the students worked hard to prepare themselves as performers/stage crew by educating themselves with both theoretical and practical knowledge. ‘The presentations of these plays are an important part of the students’ curricular activities. Besides the academic part of their curriculum, the department arranges practical examinations in the areas of performance, direction and other backstage activities to improve their quality. Through the staging of the plays, the students get to improve their performances in practical field,’ he says.
Other performances include Eugene Ionesco’s The Chairs, translated by Sayeed Ahmed and directed by Nahid Jahan on November 21, Nemesis written by Nurul Momen and directed by Babul Akhter and Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot, translated by Kabir Chowdhury and directed by Rabiul Arafat. All the productions achieved critical acclaim from the audiences.
‘We are judging their performances in all aspects and grading them on their performances. I think they are being inspired and gaining confidence by participating in these theatrical productions,’ he continues, ‘they are also trying to understand the psychology of the audience. Now, it is the duty of the theatre groups of the country to use these talented students,’ he adds.
While speaking about the university’s plan to utilize the talents of their students, Shaheen says that the department is planning to establish a reparatory theatre group with its students to provide space to work professionally. He also adds, ‘I think the criteria for admission to the university should be changed. I think the students who have passion for theatre should get admission in this subject. Currently, in most cases, the students who do not get chance in the ‘commercially valuable subjects’ come to this department.’
The department plans to arrange the festival at a larger scale next year. They are also planning to create more opportunities to stage more plays for the students. Shaheen hopes that these plays will enrich their learning experiences. This year the theatre and music department gave seven to ten thousand students the opportunity to watch performances and expand their cultural horizons. The organisers are also hoping that in coming years, they will be able to create opportunities for more students.
‘Dhaka University’s campus is considered a cultural hub that plays a role in the cultural movement. We are getting support from the university authorities. Every year the support is being strengthened. As theatre is an expensive art, if we get more logistic support, we will be able to do better in the future,’ he says. ‘We have already started working for next year’s festival!’
Eugene Ionesco’s The Lesson, directed by Rehene Haque and Nicolai Kalyada’s Bratto, directed by Sumi Kawsar will be staged today while Jean Racine’s Phaedra, translated by Asit Kumar and directed by Koyele Sharmin will be staged on November 24. Farnando Arabol’s The Two Executioners, translated and directed by Aminul Haque and Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land, directed by Manab Saker will be staged on November 25. On November 26, the organisers will stage John Osborne’s Look Back In Anger, translated by Ashok Dasgupta and directed by Shantanu Halder. The play Kabi, based on the novel by Tarashankar Bandhypadyay, will be staged on the concluding day of the festival, on November 27. The play, adapted by Saimon Zakaria, will be directed by Shamim Hasan. Everyday, the programme will begin at 6:30pm.
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