Tower Hamlets Council presents: A Season of Bangla Drama 3-27 November 2016

A dazzling festival of theatre with powerful performances, walks, talks and exhibitions.

For more information call 020 7364 7900 www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts @THevents @towerhamletsnow #Bangladrama16 Message from the ‘A’ Team Arts presents Mayor of Tower Hamlets Rapture Welcome to A Season of Bangla Drama! I am delighted that Thursday 3 - this longstanding and much-loved festival of theatre is back Saturday 5 November in the borough for the fourteenth year running. It promises to be a busy and diverse programme, incorporating music and Doors 7pm, Show 7.30pm dance, comedy and tragedy; a real treasure trove of offerings Brady Arts Centre with a nod to tradition, alongside some contemporary twists English and universal themes. £8/£5 concessionary Performances will be complemented by a fringe programme of talks, walks and exhibitions. With imaginative and topical performances this promises to be an enjoyable and thought-provoking programme with immense talent on display. I am Credits proud we are able to offer such a high calibre festival, and with productions in both Bangla and English, there really is something for everyone. I hope that you will come Writer/Director: Dr Canan Salih production which went to the Edinburgh along and enjoy what’s on offer. Cast: Samira Ahmed, Ummi Hussain, Celia Fringe Festival in August. Sellah, Shah Yusuf Ahmed, Nahid Uddin, John Biggs Chafia Bouakkaz, Sumaiya Chowdhury, Look behind the veil to find the truth. Precious Otunuga, Ishmael Uddin, Iury Mayor of Tower Hamlets Campos, Nazmul Khan and Ersan Korudag About the company Message from Associate Synopsis ‘A’ Team Arts is Tower Hamlets Council’s youth arts division. It co-ordinates Youth Director for Community Affairs, You see a hijab - I see a rapper. Rapture Arts programmes across the Borough Canary Wharf Group Plc is a dynamic youth theatre performance aimed at young people aged 13-19 which uses rap music and spoken word years, and up to 25 years with SEN, who As in previous years, Canary Wharf Group are delighted to to tell the story of a young Muslim woman live or study in Tower Hamlets. Using be associated with A Season Of Bangla Drama 2016. We take who wears her hijab as an actual and theatre, textiles, design, and music, artists pride in supporting local community initiatives, events such as metaphorical veil to her true identity. Our and young people learn, discover and this creates a platform for local emerging writers, performers heroine is AJ. She longs to belong and experiment. Ideas are transformed and and directors from the community to showcase their talent. The writes amazing rap lyrics, but her talents translated into performances, exhibitions 2015 season had a great selection of drama, music dance and go largely unnoticed. Loosely based on and personal works of art to share talks that incorporated a range of tropical themes. I hope the 2016 season continues to Cyrano De Bergerac, it explores truth, with friends, families, the community or aspire audiences through its many performances that once again challenge, stimulate deception, influence and friendship by sometimes a much wider public. and entertain our community by exploring the Bengali culture and heritage. I’d like focusing on women in Hip-Hop and to extend my congratulations to the organisers for once again delivering a highly women in Islam, marginalisation and To get involved contact successful and entertaining event. radicalisation in East London. [email protected] This has been put together by the council’s Zakir Khan youth arts division and has engaged Associate Director for Community Affairs young people from Tower Hamlets in Canary Wharf Group Plc writing, devising and performing in a

A Season of 2 Bangla Drama 3 Eastern Thespians presents The Tagoreans presents Footfall Bashikaran (Spellbound) Friday 4 - industrial accident. Over 500 workers are Sunday 6 November killed when a shoe factory is set ablaze. Saturday 5 November This highlights the awful plight that arises Doors 6pm, Show 6.30pm Doors 7pm, Show 7.30pm from an avoidance of health and safety Rich Mix Rich Mix issues and enflames public opinion. It Bangla explores the corruption and criminal English negligence of four key protagonists when £10/£8 concessionary £10/£8 concessionary moral values are eroded to the point www.tagoreans.org www.easternthespians.com where profit takes priority over human life. In a consumer driven market where global corporations rule, who will take Credits Credits responsibility and where does the buck stop? Director: Jayanta Ray Synopsis Writer/Director: Debasish Banerjee Executive Producer: Manoshi Barua Technical team: Arjun Sen, Wasim Makeem About the company Production Concept and Design: Gairika Gupta, This rarely performed short play by Tagore Javed Manoshi Barua and Jayanta Ray is a comedy of errors about how two Back stage and props and publicity: Established in 2012, Eastern Thespians is Guidance and Inspiration: Gairika Gupta friends, the devout and deeply religious Urmi Roy Singh, Adrika Sen, Nilanjana a contemporary theatre group based in Compere: Srabani Sen Aashu and the more cynical and street Ray, Nandini Basu-Mullick London. Drawing on the rich resources of Sound and Light: Mohua Kini and Rajat Dey smart Annada, interact with two radically Photography: Bart Lenoir. http://lenoir.photo, both eastern and western life, thought, Stage Management: Aindrila Ghosh and different women, to meet their own Shobhon Ahmed philosophy and art forms, both traditional Arjun Sen individual agendas. The subtext uses a Cast: Chandrayee Sengupta, Koushik and contemporary, they are committed to Backstage Support: Adrika Sen, Alinda backdrop of traditional Bengali culture to Chatterjee, Shiblu Chowdhury, Samrat presenting live theatre that is vital, thought Barua, Nivedita Bose, Tanusree Guha, question orthodoxy and social mores but Sengupta, Debasish Banerjee provoking and engaging. Their aim is to Saroj Barua, Shahadat Hossain, with a deliciously funny and light-hearted produce theatre in all its genres which Sourav Niyogi approach. Synopsis appeals to London’s multilingual and Front of House Support: Asit Das, Biswajit multicultural community. Gupta About the company Set in the year 2015 in a non-specified Make Up and Costumes: Aindrila Ghosh, country in Southeast Asia, this dark Manoshi Barua, Kalyan Kundu The Tagoreans is the oldest Bengali comedy is an exposé of a multi-national Rehearsal Support: Aparna Gupta, Dipali cultural organisation in the UK. company which backtracks through time to Das, Jyotsna Mukherjee Established in 1965, It believes in unpick the events that led to a devastating Photography: Saroj Barua ’s philosophy of life Videography: Imdad Rahman and draws inspiration from his creativity Cast: Jayanta Ray, Suman Bhattacharya, in literature, music and art. It encourages Satyaban Sarkar,Amrita Ghosh, Kalyan participation from all sections of the Kundu, Manisha Smith, Manoshi Barua, community. Sujoya Ray, Shahadat Hossain, Adrika Sen, Alinda Barua, Tanusree Guha, Aparna Gupta, Dipali Das, Jyotsna Mukherjee and Nivedita Bose

A Season of 4 Bangla Drama 5 Monchoshoilee presents Mukul and Ghetto Tigers presents Spordha (The Audacity) Mishti Gals Sunday 6 November Cast: Humayun Kabir Mahin, Jahanara Friday 11 - Akhter Shimla, Raj Ds, Ahmed Zarin, Syeda Doors 7pm, Show 7.30pm Tasmia, Dr Tahseen Alam Choudhury, Saturday 12 November Brady Arts Centre Ziaur Rahman Saklen, Arifuzzaman Syed, Doors 7pm, Show 7.30pm Bangla Suaib Adamjee, Syed Tariqul Islam, Fazle Arts 1, Pinter Studio, QMUL Rabbi, Mufid Ur Rahman, Md Shaikhul £8/£5 concessionary Islam, Rahman N Chowdhury Bangla/English £8/£5 concessionary Credits Synopsis www.mukulandghettotigers.com Conflict among generations is exposed Writer: Abdullah Al Mamun whereby the allure of money over Creative Director: Sudip Chakroborthy Credits is also augmented by the physical and responsibility results in the erosion of Director: Raj Ds fast-changing cityscape in which they moral values, the neglect of elderly Production Manager: Ziaur Rahman Saklen Play by: Raminder Kaur Kahlon live; the juxtaposition of ex-local authority parents and the terrible consequences of Co-production Manager: Arifuzzaman Syed Directed by: Mukul Ahmed tenements with the hypermodern high- corruption. It focuses around the plight of Translators: Syeda Tasmia Tahia and Syed Executive Producer and Asst. Director: rises of E1, symbolising old and new an ageing couple; whose offspring are in Tariqul Islam Rez Kabir lifestyles. The protagonists are friends thrall to materialism and luxury over and Lighting Designer: Humayun Kabir Mahin Production Manager: with longstanding histories but their above the wellbeing of their parents. Light by: Md Shaikhul Islam Delwar Hossain Dilu relationships are not without conflict Costume Designer: Syeda Tasmia Tahia About the company Lighting Designer: Paul Micah and as dark secrets come to light, the Music and Sound Design: Raj Ds Design: Mukul Ahmed challenges which stem from cultural and Sound Designer: Labik Kamal Gaurab Music and Sound By: Rahman N Chowdhury Monchoshoilee is a British Bangladeshi geographical displacement are also Set Design: Sudip Chakroborthy, Humayun Stage Manager: Charlotte Wilson revealed. theatre group, working across the fields Choreography: Pinache Khan Kabir Mahin, Ziaur Rahman Saklen and of creative art, drama, dance, movement, Raj Ds Cast: Urmee Mazher, Saida Tanim, Saima An adaptation by Raminder Kaur after music, literature and education whose Ahmed Make up: Raj Ds , Ziaur Rahman Saklen and programmes promote harmonious cross Mahesh Elkuncwar’s ‘Sonata’ Humayun Kabir Mahin community relationships. Supported by: Ruhin Rahman, Syeda Afreen Synopsis About the company Zaman Ahona, Taha Abu Hanif, Wafeeq This is a funny and poignant tale about Zaman Tayseer and Syeda Tasnia Tahsin Mukul and Ghetto Tigers is an East three middle-aged, British Bengali London based theatre company that women who have made life choices offers an entertaining twist on stories and which defy expectation. All have chosen relationships in order to reach out to both careers over families, but for different new and established theatre audiences. reasons and each woman’s personal With a genuine interest in new writing and story is a bittersweet revelation of the world classics, MGT provides a platform difficulties faced. Their rejection of a for emerging talents with the aim of more traditional path is set against the mentoring and nurturing newcomers to backdrop of a patriarchal society in which help them excel in their respective fields. they struggle against being dismissed Their mantra is re-imagination, innovation on the basis of their age and gender. It and collaboration.

A Season of 6 Bangla Drama 7 Purbanat CIC presents Muktomoncho Cultural Society presents Bangla Brummies Buro Shaliker Gharey Ro Saturday 12 November (There is no Fool like an old Fool) Doors 7pm, Show 7.30pm Brady Arts Centre Sunday 13 November English Doors 5.30pm, Show 6pm £8/£5 concessionary Brady Arts Centre Bangla www.purbanatcic.co.uk £8/£5 concessionary Credits Credits Writer and director: Murad Khan About the company Cast to be announced Director: Pabitra Ghosh Purbanat is an established theatre Writer: Michael Madhusudan Dutta About the company Synopsis company in the West Midlands and Prompter: Kamal Majumdar a creative home for new plays, Press and Admin: Jane Ghosh, Bina Rashid Muktomoncho was established in 1994 Set in the Small Heath area of performers and creative people. Working Cast: Mohammad Rashid, Shahanur Rana to promote Bengali culture in Bristol and Birmingham, Bangla Brummies challenges collaboratively with a variety of partners, Choudhury, Yesmin Moni Choudhury, the surrounding area. It has produced a Asian stereotypes by exploring the they discover, nurture and produce drama Ashraf Choudhury, Farhana Choudhury, wide range of radio plays, stage plays institution of marriage, and points of which tells universal stories to audiences Rezina Rahman, Swapan Roy, Sitikantha D. and dance dramas as well as staging and connection, as well as points of difference from a wide range of backgrounds. Das, Afrin Sultana, Maruf Choudhury participating in a number of cultural and across both cultures and generations. It Purbanat specialises in producing both charitable events to celebrate song, poetry begins in the 1970s and centres around new plays and adaptations of existing Synopsis and dance. Rongdhonu is a recently two young Asian bachelors. One, Hashim, international written works, and tours to established Bengali organisation based in ends up marrying a white Irish girl, while theatres and community focussed venues This classic 19th century farce exposes Wiltshire. They programme cultural events the other, Malik, is wed to a bride from throughout the Midlands and beyond. the religious hypocrisy and widespread to celebrate significant dates, such as . When Malik’s daughter prejudices of the time, which unfortunately, Pohela Boisakh and Bangladesh Victory grows up and falls in love with a non- are still prevalent today. Bhaktoprashad Day as well as taking part in international muslim white man, trouble ensues but is an elderly Hindu landlord, who makes music festival. This is not their first joint friends of the parents, daughter and suitor a great show of being devout, but function with Muktomoncho but it is their all come together to plot for a happy secretly lusts after young women, and first drama production in the UK. outcome. This is a funny but insightful in particular the wife of his poor Muslim look at the twin themes of approval and tenant. The play highlights the gulf acceptance in marriage and how the between Bhaktoprashad’s ‘piety’ and lives and attitudes of two British Bengali his actual behaviour. After several twists families have changed. and turns in the plot, Bhaktoprashad is exposed as a hypocrite. It is a morality tale of covetousness and charity in which the guilty protagonist finally gets his just deserts.

A Season of 8 Bangla Drama 9 School of Oriental and African Studies – Indian Dance Society presents Bishwo Shahitto Kendro presents An East Wind Juta Abishkar: The Invention of Shoes Sunday 13 November Synopsis Friday 18 November Doors 7pm, Show 7.30pm Doors 7pm, Show 7.30pm An East Wind is a dance-theatre piece Plus matinee show at 2pm based entirely on ’s Rich Mix Arts 1, Pinter Studio, QMUL poems and songs where his words Bangla Bangla/English transform into dialogues. It celebrates £8/£5 concessionary poetry’s deep kinship with the youth £8/£5 concessionary of today who on one hand mourn the loss of their innocence and on the Credits Credits other are unafraid to rebel. It highlights their revolutionary spirit and explores Director: Syeda Saima Ahmed themes and conflicts that students bring Director: Debanjali Biswas Script: Syeda Saima Ahmed, Shoayeeb Synopsis to the stage through the dynamics of Production and Design: SOAS IDS and Shreya Chamak and Himu M Hossain choreography. Sinha Light: Sadeq Ahmad Chowdhury Children stage this colourful production of Management: John Green About the company Back Drop projection: Khadija Rahman Tagore’s short poem and an interesting Narration: John Green, Koel Chakroborty, Costume Designers: Khadija Rahman and oriental fairy-tale about how shoes were Farah Rahman invented. A cobbler finds a way to tackle Shabana Charaniya School of Oriental and African Studies Back Stage Managers: Reshma Sultana, India’s dust problem but the King takes Music: Dipanwita Ghosh, Dripto Sarkar, – Indian Dance Society (SOAS IDS) is Farhana Alam and Anita Kar the credit. This once forgotten story gets Ronit Basu, Shem Jarrold a student-led dance community that Project Manager: Fahmida Begum renewed using medieval Bengal as a Cast: Debanjali Biswas, Maanasa was established in 2013. IDS welcomes, Advisor: Shamim Azad backdrop for social discrimination via Vishwanathan, Manjusha Chatterjee, introduces, and acquaints those who are Publicity: SM Zakir Hossain traditional folk theatre Pala, which Nikita Nair, Priyanka Basu, Shreya Sinha, keen with the folk, classical and martial Musicians: Sadeq Ahmad Chowdhury, Shah uses satire and mime to fuse Eastern and Taneesha Devi Mohan and Tiyasha Dutta dances of India. The IDS continues to Paul M Wahiduzzaman, Arfuman Choudhury, Western dance. create performances with non-dancers, Taslima Pervin, Shanta Chowdhury, Himu present students and alumni, under careful M Hossain, Kowssar-e Zannat, Zahurul By Muhammed Al Jamalee inspired by mentoring of professional performers, in Islam and Suchana Chowdhury Tagore’s poem ‘Juta Abishkar’. order to understand various styles and Cast: Amal Nawar Hossain, Eliza Ismat aesthetics that inform the field of Indian Islam, Wafeeq Zaman, Adiba Anjum About the company dance. Hossain (Nuha), Sheehan Al Jamalee, Anindita Tahsin Maahi, Farah Rahman, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, London (BSKL) Rayan Pracchya, Aydin Eshal, Aydan is a non-profit voluntary organization, Ahmed, Iman Nameer Hossain, Rafan established in 2002. Through a celebration Hahseen Rhoad, Radiyah Tasnim Hossain of Bengali arts and aesthetics and a (Rida), Sarina Zayba, Ramira Hasan, Aroni specific focus on literature, BSK aims to Shaha and Adnin Tarannum Sarathi build bridges between the communities and reinforce the importance amongst generations, of the rich cultural legacy that the British Bangladeshi community has inherited.

A Season of 10 Bangla Drama 11 Urmi Cultural Organisation presents ADDA (Arts and Drama Development Association) presents Nobituner Noboborsho (Nobitun’s New Year) Maya’s Honeymoons Saturday 19 November tenant farmer, Nishan. Set in the lowland Sunday 20 November the problems faced by women in abusive area of Sunamgonj District, the paddy relationships, and also how they can help Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm fields are threatened by floodwater from Doors 5pm Show 5.30pm themselves and their families. As the Brady Arts Centre the embankment being breached. Nisha Brady Arts Centre drama of a young girl and her controlling Bangla notices the water rising, and frantic to Bangla/English husband unfolds, it shines a light on save his fields, and earn enough from the the dangers of repeated patterns of £8/£5 concessionary yield to buy his young bride the jewellery £10/£8 concessionary behaviour (and imagined ‘honeymoons) she so desires, tries his upmost to stop but also posits a positive message about the flood, and sacrificing his life in the the ways to overcome and resolve issues Credits struggle. Credits of domestic abuse. Can the family escape Writer: Jesmin Chowdhury destruction and is redemption possible? Writer and Director: Mozibul Hoque Moni About the company Advisory Director: Mohammed Tasadduk Producers: Heeron Beig and Iffat Ara Hussain Bahar About the company Khanom Urmi Cultural Organisation is actively Director: Apu Chowdhury Cast: Tbc involved in delivering a wide range of ADDA (Arts and Drama Development Assistant Director: Jesmin Chowdhury theatre, and film based initiatives as well Association) works hard to develop and Sound and Light: Apu Chowdhury and Murad Synopsis as drawing on the rich traditions of song produce high quality visual arts events Chowdhury from Bengali, Hindu and Urdu cultures, as well as plays, music and films, which Costume and Set Designers: Apu Chowdhury This tragic tale of poverty and desperation which have been performed at numerous are both innovative and traditional. It and Jesmin Chowdhury is a traditional dance drama about the events throughout London. endeavours to tackle issues of identity, Cast: Jesmin Chowdhury, Al-Khurshid Himu, plight of those in rural Bangladesh whose culture, heritage, integration and well- Eela Muhaimin, Alishba, Mohammed livelihoods depend on the success of being and to nurture interpersonal Tasadduk Hussain Bahar, Nazma their crops, coupled with an exposé of skills such as confidence, Yeasmeen, Sabreena Zareen Laboni, childhood marriage. Nobitun is a 14 social interaction, Masud Quader, Mohammed Abu Azad, year old orphan who lives with her poor responsibility sharing, Jawed Iqbal Mazumder, Abu Sayed grandmother and is wed to a young planning, decision Chowdhury Sadi, Dhola Miah, Abu Hasan making, team Syed Fazlerabbi, Zoha Habibullah, Ahmed work and problem Ahsan Sujan, Mahi Masum, Furkanur solving in order Chowdhury Sagar, Rafiqur Rahman to help increase Chowdhury Dipu, Murad Chowdhury and empowerment and Apu Chowdhury self-expression. Synopsis

Maya’s Honeymoons is an exploration of domestic violence, child sexual exploitation and gambling within British Bangladeshi contemporary life. It conveys a serious message through the humorous use of proverbs and dialogues to highlight

A Season of 12 Bangla Drama 13 Jumble Abode Theatre presents The Filim Company presents The Invention of Shoes Truly Untold Tuesday 22 - Thursday 24 - trauma; not just on the Wednesday 23 November Saturday 26 November individual, Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm but on the The Space The Space relationships of everyone English English around them. £10/£8 concessionary £10/£8 concessionary This play www.filim.co.uk sheds light into the guilt, Credits secrecy and Credits expectation Directors: Jum Faruq and Rachel Warr bound up Writer: Jum Faruq (Adaptation of Writer and Director: Kayser Foyz in three Rabindranath Tagore’s original poem) very different life experiences, and all Cast: TBC Producer: Kobir A. Forid Lighting: Tracey Hammill connected by gender. This is the un-telling Synopsis Makeup: Farhana Islam of a story of consequence. It starts at the Set Designer: Jessica Maston end and finishes at a better beginning. In a buzzing Bengali bazaar, a cunning Production Assistant: Bhavika Patel About the company market trader and a soulful singer Marketing: Taj Kandula Cast: Taj Kandula, Shian Denovan, Annabel squabble over the meaning of life! The Filim Company is a stage and film Pemberton, Rezaul Kabir and Jessica Colourful characters and unexpected Production Company established back Maston (Voice) landscapes emerge to tell the hilarious About the company in 2002 by the writer director producer tale of the Invention of Shoes. After Synopsis brothers Kayser A. Foyz and Kobir A. Forid discovering a speck of dirt on his feet Jumble Abode Theatre are a fun-loving with the mission of producing thought- King Hobu sends Minister Gobu on a creative crew from across the world who provoking stories that engage and quest to rid the land of dirt ...in three How does one unspoken event alter the tell stories from far and wide! A company course of a relationship? Can it change entertain in equal measures. days. If he fails he shall be forever exiled! complete with puppeteers, musicians and Who will save the town from despair? our perception of who we are? Or what designers, combine their many skills to we aspire to be? Is the public persona Now in their 14th year they have built a This imaginative, puppet led showcase create narratives. They have performed in collective of artists, working together to of Tagore’s fairytale brings the story of we create for ourselves on social media an array of unusual venues and spaces, a reflection of our true identity? This is create highly relatable characters we see a king and commoner to life. It looks and create theatre with everyday objects. in everyday life going through the gamut at relevant themes such as health and the story of four characters whose lives They believe that there is treasure to be have been coloured by a single mistake. of extraordinary personal journeys. the environment, sustainability, and found in everything and have evolved as interconnectedness, as well as being A pregnant actor, a high-flying lawyer, a a sort of ‘Abode for the Jumble’. Just as single mother and a bohemian art teacher a social commentary on the egos and the globe doesn’t really have corners, agendas of those with power. converge at a school reunion where they theatre doesn’t really have boundaries. are forced to confront who they truly are Everyone who sees Jumble Abode’s shows instead of who they believe they should is encouraged to participate and in fact be. Truly Untold looks at the fallout of no story is complete without YOU!

A Season of 14 Bangla Drama 15 A Season of Bangla Drama Calendar 2016 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY VENUES Brady Arts 1 2 3 4 5 6 Centre (BAC) Exhibtions 192-196 Hanbury 3-27 November Bashikaran Street, E1 5HU The Cycle of Care Rapture Rapture Rich Mix 6.30pm BAC BAC BAC £10/£8 Rich Mix LEEDO KNC Footfalls Footfalls Spordha 35-47 Bethnal Green Rapture BAC Rich Mix £10/£8 Rich Mix £10/£8 BAC Road, E1 6LA Tel: 020 7613 7498 7 8 9 10 11 12 Buro Shaliker13 Gharey Ro Pinter Studio Mishti Gals BAC 6pm Queen Mary Radicalisation: Reading: The Pinter Studio An East Wind University of London, A Bengali-British Spectral Wound Bangla Pinter Studio Mile End Road, Perspective Pinter Studio Mishti Gals Brummies Additional matinée E1 4NS KNC Free 6.30-8.30pm Free Pinter Studio BAC at 2pm Kobi Nazrul Centre Saree Day (KNC) 14 15 16 17 18 19 BAC 20 30 Hanbury Street, Bengali 12.30 - 4.30pm Free E1 6QR History Walk Maya’s Honeymoon 1980s Juta Abishkar: Altab Ali Park 11am 5.30pm £10/£8 The Space Flashback: The Invention Nobituner BAC 269 Westferry Road, Asian East End of Shoes Noboborsho Talk and Music E14 3RS KNC Free Rich Mix BAC £5 KNC Tel: 020 7515 7799

21 22 23 24 Truly Untold 25 26 27 The Space £12/£10 Hope N Mic Truly Untold KNC £5 The Space £12/£10 The Invention of The Invention of D K Bose er A Thousand Shoes Shoes Truly Untold Diary Cranes Jihadir Ma The Space £10/£8 The Space £10/£8 The Space £12/£10 BAC BAC BAC

28 29 30 Tickets cost: £8/£5 concession (unless otherwise stated) Doors open: 7pm, show starts 7.30pm More information: 020 7364 7900 E: [email protected], www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts To book tickets, go to: http://aseasonofbangladrama2016.eventbrite.com/ Booking fees apply 16 17 East India Natyo Company presents Kids for Kids presents D K Bose er Diary A Thousand Cranes Friday 25 November Saturday 26 November Synopsis Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm Young people have planned and directed Brady Arts Centre Brady Arts Centre this play, based on the harrowing true Bangla/English English story of a young girl, Sadako, who £8/£5 concessionary £8/£5 concessionary survived the Hiroshima bomb. Set in 1955 it explores the love and mistakes within families and the power of hope as conveyed by the practice of folding 1000 Credits Credits paper cranes to provide good health. The story is simple yet compelling. At the end, Writer and Director: Dr Srikumar Mallick Writer: Kathryn Schultz-Miller all the characters shout out ‘This is our cry, Music: Srideep Mallick Synopsis Director: Arya Mandal this is our prayer, peace in the world’. Vocals: Srideep Mallick, Satadeepa Mallick, Assistant Director: Shrey and Asmita Aditi Chaudhury Chattopadhyay, Oishee A successful and high profile Bengali Stage: Nandini, Adhip and Neel Kaushik About the company Ghosh doctor in the UK recounts the key episodes Sound Control: Anirban Mandal from his life where politics, ideology, Dance Choreographers: Debjani Bhattacharya Light: Sourav Kids for Kids is the cultural wing of Essex humour and human interest all come to and Nandini Chakraborty Cyclorama: Arpita Ray Indians and it is led by the children for the fore, in a funny and poignant tale Light and Sound control: Arjun Banerjee and Props: Mitrani and Rinki the children. Their vision is to share values of youth and maturity, what constitutes Anamika Banerjee Production Manager: Arpita Ray of life between second-generation Asian one’s homeland, as well as a topical Projection and Animation: Oishee Ghosh Cast: Arya, Shrey, Shreya, Tista, Teerna, children through cultural activities. Stage Setup Debasish Das, Sam Sangal, examination of one of the UKs most Sanjana, Kaustav, Rajat, Sunny, Asmita, Anindya Basu treasured, but imperfect organisations - Anusha, Gargi, Ishika, Solan, Sayantini, Stage Managers: Debjani Bhattacharya and the NHS! Nandani, Soumi and Mitrani Subesh Bhattacharya Production Manager: Satadeepa Mallick About the company Cast: Dr Debasis Das, Dr Sujata Das, Dr Susmita Basu, Dr Srikumar Mallick, East India Natyo Company (EINC), Dr Satadeepa Mallick, Dr Biman based in the East Midlands, is a team Chakrabarty, Dr Debasish Das, Dr Supratik of creative minds from all over the UK Chattopadhyay, Dr Asok Kumar Banerjee, who have a passion for original, fresh Dr Joy Dasgupta, Dr Bedachanda and thought-provoking drama. EINC Chattopadhyay, Dr Madhushree Mitra specialise in original live music and Ghosh, Dr Nandini Chakraborty, Dr Shilajit projection with animation. Through Ghosh, Dr Swati Ghosh, Dr Kaustabh performances, workshops, events and the RayChaudhuri, Dr Dena RayChaudhuri, Dr spirit of togetherness and harmony, EINC Sudip Das, Dr Aditi Chaudhury, Debjani endeavours to take heritage of Bengali Bhattacharya and Srideep Mallick culture to a higher dimension. Dancers: Anamika Banerjee, Saloni Bhattacharya, Debadrita Das andSuditi

A Season of 18 Bangla Drama 19 Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Ghosti UK Sangsad presents November exhibition Jihadir Ma The Cycle of Care by Paraa Sunday 27 November She comes to the painful conclusion that a Thursday 3 - breakdown in communication was largely Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm due to her inability to speak English and Sunday 27 November Brady Arts Centre on this basis questions her existence Brady Arts Centre Bangla | £8/£5 concessionary and her whole identity. Her ultimate www.paraa.org.uk decision is that she needs to learn the language of her adopted homeland in About the exhbition Credits order to empower herself by engaging more deeply with those around her, the This exhibition presents a series of portraits Writer: Sayiem Choudhury education of her children, and life in drawn by Ruhul Abdin of children and Director: Babu Chowdhury the UK. women from Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Assistant Director: Ashim Chakravarty Station. It is focused around the vulnerable Production Manager: Amina Ali About the company urban children who have been supported Cast: Nurul Islam, Rubel, A Malek, Helen by local charity LEEDO. This ties in with the Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi UK Islam, Amina Ali, Ashim Chakravarty, Razia overarching themes and aims of Paraa’s Sangshad is a non-communal and Rahman, Shuporna Chakravarty, Shahab work with an emphasis on how the built progressive organisation which believes Ahmed, Firuj Ahmed, Rebecca, Shushanto, environment impacts on the lives of those in using arts and culture to celebrate Eva Ahmed, Selim Malek and Sanjidah around and within it’s structures. This diversity. It is also believes in the Islam explores the role of art and architecture implementation of equal opportunities for on provision of care. One of the projects all artists and actively supports policies Synopsis portrayed, the Garden Project, has been aiming to eliminate discrimination on the the creation of a space where children can grounds of ethnicity, gender, age, religion This is a story about motherhood, the role perform. It recognises the importance of or disability. of women in society and the devastation performance, play, art and drama in the and estrangement caused by the very real lives of the children. threat of radicalisation in today’s society. About Paraa The main character is a woman in her 40s living in UK. She is a housewife with no Paraa is an architectural design and real dreams or expectations but equally, research studio, focusing on enhancing no complaints. She is happy with her lot spaces with communities through multi- until she makes the terrible discovery that disciplinary practice. It has been fully her son has become operational since 2013 and the key Paraa a jihadi and left objectives are to establish a ‘School of home. Her thoughts, Praxis’ out of their on-going practice and emotions, and entire research. This revolves around advocacy, existence are shattered training, communications and study. Paraa by this revelation. Why aims to understand and bridge communities has he chosen this through sharing knowledge of the built and path? natural environment in Bangladesh.

A Season of 20 Bangla Drama 21 November exhibition Charan Cultural Centre presents LEEDO - A Better Future TALK: Radicalisation: Thursday 3 - A Bengali-British Sunday 27 November Perspective Kobi Nazrul Centre Tuesday 8 November Free 7.30pm www.streetchildrenleedo.org Kobi Nazrul Centre Free

About the exhbition Why did Khadiza Sultana, a British This exhibition includes photos and teenage schoolgirl of Bengali origin, join drawings demonstrating the work of the About the organisation the so-called Islamic State in Syria, where LEEDO Project, an organisation whose she subsequently died in air strike? She is one of many such young British women aim is to improve the lives and futures LEEDO is a non-government organisation of children on the streets in Dhaka. It and men abandoning a relatively safe founded in 2000. It was initiated by social and prosperous life in the UK, in order to includes photographs and drawings and human rights activists and educators about the experiences of those children, fight a cause far away from their home in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was formed to and country of origin. and the extreme risks that they face. improve the life chances of children forced This is a mixture of material produced to live in extreme poverty on the streets of Why are these young people attracted by the children themselves and a way Brick Lane Circle presents Dhaka. LEEDO’s aim is to raise awareness to radicalisation? What inspires them of documenting all aspects of the work of the plight of vulnerable children and to make a potentially fatal choice? We Readings from carried out by LEEDO such as School encourage all members of society to take are joined by host Arif Rahman and under the sky, Mobile school, Transitional The Spectral Wound responsibility for ensuring the protection of speaker Masud Rana for a talk which will shelter, Reintegration to families and young people. explore the issue from a Bengali British Wednesday 9 November Peace Home. perspective. 6.30-8.30pm Charan is an East London based Arts 1, Pinter Studio, QMUL community organisation engaged in Free promoting , literature www.bricklanecircle.org and culture in the UK. It aims to help the Bengali diaspora integrate with and Dr Nayanika Mookherjee has published contribute to mainstream British society extensively on the anthropology of while celebrating their distinct cultural violence, ethics and aesthetics. She reads identity and rich heritage. extracts from her book The Spectral Wound: Sexual Violence, Public Memories and the Bangladesh War, which was among the top two books shortlisted for the BBC’s Thinking Allowed and Best Ethnography Award. She is the Research Director and Reader of Socio-Cultural

A Season of Anthropology at Durham University. 22 Bangla Drama 23 BritBangla presents Swadhinata Trust presents Mohila Ongon presents Saudha Society of Poetry and TALK: 1980s Flashback: Bengali History Walk Sunday is Saree Day Indian Music presents Asian East End Saturday 19 November Sunday 20 November Bengali Theatre and Thursday 17 November 11am 12.30pm - 4.30pm Music: Talk and musical 7.30pm Altab Ali Park £8/£5 Brady Arts Centre recitation Kobi Nazrul Centre Free Women only event Free The Banglatown walk and talk is aimed at Sunday 20 November www.britbangla.net anybody interested in Bengali migration This is a female only event to celebrate 7.30pm

and settlement in the East End of London. womanhood through both sarees and A talk on the Asian settlement in Kobi Nazrul Centre £5 It is an opportunity to learn about the the Bangladeshi delicacy, Phita. There the heart of the East End, Brick Lane www.saudha.org Bengali community’s history and heritage, will be a variety of entertainment, and Spitalfields, will explore the and the lives of people with diverse stalls and activities including saree huge changes undergone by this Poet T M Ahmed Kaysher discusses the backgrounds and experiences, values workshops and a fashion show as area. The talk will be accompanied inter-relation between theatre and music, and customs. The experiences of well as a drama performed in Sylheti, by photographs by Raju Vaidyathan and the history of music in Bengali theatre. in the East End explores both the value traditional Bengali music, dance, and as well as posters which provide an It emphasises the Tagorian influence with of multiculturalism and the tensions it spoken . Delicious food evocative glimpse of in the 1980s and a demonstration of his theatre-music by creates. The walk/talk will look at the will also be available. are a testament to the strong sense legacy of the British Empire as migration prominent Tagore exponent, Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, along with Amith Dey on keyboard of place and community spirit that this from the colonies continued throughout the Mohila Ongon is a grass roots and Paps Das on tabla. neighbourhood harboured. twentieth century. organisation which represents ethnic minority women, predominantly of BritBangla is a network of talented Saudha Society of Poetry and Indian The Swadhinata Trust is a secular the Bangladeshi background. It was and successful British Bengalis which Music specialises in the fusion of Indian Bengali heritage organisation set up in established in 2010 in order to organise promotes the achievements and sub-continental classical music with 2000 to raise youth awareness about and promote women and women’s contributions made to British society, other transcendental art forms of the Bengali history, culture and heritage by causes. Mohila Ongon organises a and reflects the views and aspirations world, including ​western classical music, establishing resources for British Bengali wide range of activities, events and of second and third generation Gamelan, poetry, Kathak and more. community and the general public in educational workshops/sessions. Bengalis. BritBangla helps highlight the field of education, research and the Saudha works with a highly skilled range issues and trends that are important creative arts. Based in Banglatown, the of performers from the UK and abroad. for the Bengali community and brings Trust organises a wide range of cultural people together through networking events as well as producing educational and social events, fundraising for literature. It carries out oral history projects charities and providing community and research to promote community support. cohesion across London and throughout the UK. A Season of 24 Bangla Drama 25 Hope N Mic Hope n Mic aims to provide hope Friday 25 November both for those Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm wanting to try Kobi Nazrul Centre £5 out spoken word performances, www.hopenmic.org and hope for the charity Hope N Mic nights take place each supported each month, but please join us in November for month through our Season of Bangla Drama fringe event, the entry fee. a night of networking and live acts from Hope n Mic singers, poets, wordsmiths and musicians. are currently fundraising Hope n Mic is the best open mic scene for Children ‘A’ Team Arts presents in East London, providing a platform for of Adam, a spoken word artists, both established and grassroots organisation helping to feed Raw Talent those who are new to the scene, raising the homeless. money for charity and giving the public Don’t H8! Appreci8! an entertaining night out for a mere £5 3 December 2016 donation. Doors Open: 6:30pm – Starting: 7:00pm Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London E1 5HU MerazCafè KARAHI HOUSE [ka-rai] since 1974

Meraz Cafè is proud to support A Season of Bangla Drama 2016 One of London’s oldest Karahi House

Entertainment Industry Professionals on the judging panel. Dancers/ Rappers/ Music Video/ Singers

If you are aged between 13-19 years (25 with SEN) live, study or work in Tower Hamlets come and compete in our contest We are known for our Handi-cooked curries and kebabs AUDITIONS: Open from 11am till 11.30pm 27 October 6-9pm – Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury St, E1 5HU 56 Hanbury Street, London E1 5JL Deadline for Electronic Submission: 27 Oct–18 Nov TEL: 020 7247 6999 £1 entry fee Email: [email protected] Web: www.meraz.co.uk TEL: 020 7364 7912 MOBILE: 07947 884279 A Season of 26 EMAIL:Bangla [email protected] Drama 27 Bow Wharf 13A Rigg Approach 221 Grove Road Leyton London E3 5SN London E10 7QN 020 7998 9455 020 3302 7870 [email protected] [email protected] www.regentslake.co.uk www.mintcaterers.co.uk

Wedding I Walima I Mehndi I Akikah I Conference I Social & Family Events

www.regentslake.co.uk 28 www.mintcaterers.co.uk Acknowledgements We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved in making A Season of Bangla Drama possible. Art at the Pavilion Ashraf Mahmud Neswar – Founder of A Queen Mary University of London, in Season of Bangla Drama, Zakir Khan, partnership with A Season of Bangla Rehan Jamil, Andrew Shaw, Melanie Drama Goldstien, Oliver Carruthers, Rohanne A season of exhibitions 2016–17 Udall, Nicola Muir, Glenford Barnes, Tracy Lead Dramaturge: Ali Campbell Barbe, Rosa Dunn, Adam Hemming, Isabel Dramaturge: Sudip Chakroborthy, Dr Canan Dixon, Golam Nizam, Subrina Hossain, Salih and Sanjeeb Kumar Dey Sajjad Malik, Hafiz Alam Bakhsh, Shamim Azad, Syeda Choudhury, Jo Hammet, CPD Mentoring Advisor: Rose Sharp Nadia Ali, Inderpreet Sahota, Zab Khan, Trainee CPD Mentoring Co-ordinator: Nasfim Haque, Shamim Ali, Rukom Becky O Rourke Alom, Robin Haider, Runi Khan, Cheryl CPD support by: AiR Supply Mentors Westmacott, Shalina Hussain, John Hoang, Chris Underwood, Rahima Begum and Selection panel: Kazi Ruksana Begum, Ali Inter/sections Rest & its Photomonth: Celebration Restless Beings. Campbell, Karen Hubbard, Rokshana discontents Uncertain States Khan, Suna Miah and Dr Canan Salih Sep 10 – 16 Dec 1 – 11 A Season of Bangla Drama is organised Sep 30 – Oct 30 Nov 4 – 27 by London Borough of Tower Hamlets Picture: Rest and its Discontents - SJ Picture: Photomonth Uncertain States – Log on for what’s on! Fowler & Maja Jantar, Soundings III, 2016. Susan Andrews Arts, Parks and Events Team Festival Producer: Kazi Ruksana Begum Brochure information correct at the time Festival Assistant Producer: Syed Ruhul Ali of going to print. However, this may Centre Manager: Jerry Deeks be subject to change. For up to date Marketing and publicity: Karen Hubbard programme information please refer to Production Manager: Tracey Hammill our website - Lighting and Sound operators: Suna Miah, www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts Lines of Thought Traditions Force of Nature II Through the Tom Wilson, Dave Wright, Mithu Azad and Julian Deering Jan 12 – 22 Feb 1 – 19 Mar – Apr Looking Glass Exhibition Officer: Jill Fullbrook Feedback (and win)! Mar – Apr Brady Centre staff: Mushahed Ahmed, Picture: Marty St James Picture: Ferha Faroqui Picture: Installation Galerie Valérie Bach Picture: Gavin Turk We would love to hear your views Khadiza Begum, Doug Bines, Bill Cooper, about A Season of Bangla Drama and Regina Drungilas, Hedayet Moula, Alison would be grateful if you could take a Philcock and Tsitrana Suszynsk few minutes to fill out a short survey – For full information on all exhibitions please go to www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mileendpark AND you can be in with a chance to win a £30 Amazon voucher. The Art Pavilion @THevents Please log on to Mile End Park TowerHamletsEvents www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2016SBD Clinton Road E3 4QY A Season of 30 Bangla Drama 31

Arts Pavillion_Events A5 Flyer_V3.indd 1 25/08/2016 13:03 Funders, Sponsors and Partners for A Season of Bangla Drama 2016

MerazCafè KARAHI HOUSE [ka-rai] since 1974

www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts