A Season of Bangla Drama
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
GROUP P LC Tower Hamlets Council Presents A Season of Bangla Drama Performances, exhibitions, talks and seminars 2 - 24 November 2013 l i Info: 020 7364 7900 m a J n a h www.towerhamlets.gov.uk e R : t i d e r c o t o Enter a moral maze of harrowing truths and whimsical fantasies! h P Message from the Mayor of Tower Hamlets Once again A Season of Bangla Drama comes to Whitechapel. I am delighted that this vibrant festival of drama continues into its 11th year with a great range of discussions and performances that challenge, stimulate and entertain our audiences. Literary classics from the UK and Bangladesh are overhauled and new works introduced covering a wide range of themes. All the events are a celebration of local talent and a great way to disseminate Bengali theatre to new audiences as well as bringing old favourites to an established crowd. This insightful theatre programme continues to be relevant to residents of Tower Hamlets today with refreshing and exciting drama. Lutfur Rahman Mayor of Tower Hamlets Message from the High Commissioner of Bangladesh Bangladesh High Commission is pleased to support A Season of Bangla Drama 2013, and to have facilitated participation from Bangladesh. The power of the cultural heritage of a nations or communities in their branding and showcasing, particularly overseas and in a multicultural milieu, needs no reiteration. We see the enduring relevance of the Festival in that light and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this project in coming years. Mohamed Mijarul Quayes High Commissioner of Bangladesh Message from Head of Community Affairs, Canary Wharf Group Plc Canary Wharf Group Plc are delighted to be associated with A Season of Bangla Drama 2013. It creates a platform for local emerging writers, directors and performers from the community to showcase their talent. The 2012 event had a great selection of drama, music and seminars that incorporated a range of topical themes and we hope the 2013 season continues to inspire audiences through its many performances by once again exploring the Bengali culture and heritage. Congratulations to all the writers, directors and performers for sharing their wonderful thoughts and aspiration with us, and good luck with all your future endeavours. Zakir Khan Head of Community Affairs Saturday 2 November Docklands Theatre & Performing Arts presents Oprakritik Prakriti (The Consequence) Written and directed by Dr Mukid Choudhury Oprakritik Prakriti (The Consequence) is a tragic psychological portrait of a woman who is desperate for a child but unable to have one. Her desire is transformed into both frustration and hatred. The play explores themes of passion and isolation, along with undercurrents of jealousy and friendship, all within the context of narrow social conventions. Smrity, the tragic heroine, is led to believe Cast and production team that her infertility may be due more to her Bengali Movement Theatre: Priyoty Sheikh, husband than herself; she regards her unfeeling Protthoy Sheikh, Smrity Azad, Sadia spouse from a different and increasingly Rahman, Tamim Rahman, S. M. Shafiquel angry perspective. There seems to be no love Islam, Md Shoriful Islam, Alok Nandi, within this marriage yet she remains true to Samsul Islam Rubel, Adam Heslop, Zara her husband out of strong sense of honour Heslop, Alex Heslop , Farzana Akter, Ajanta and as the play unfolds, we witness the Deb Roy, Muktadir Kayes, Naimul Hoque, dynamics of power and struggle. Smrity feels Jewel Raj, Naiven Dhali, M.A.R Murad, powerless with no baby, friends or career Manab Sarker, Shamima Begum Mita, and has to learn how to stand up for what Mridul Ahmed, Syeda Tasmia Tahia, Syeda she wants! Tasnia Tahsin, Nazma Jhuma, Shohel Rana, Jyotsna Islam, Raju Ali Kawsar, Shmon Khan, Habiba Pramiti, Sharmin Shahjahan Music & vocal: Gouri Bhattacharya, Arun Mukherji, Arfuman Choudhury, Shumon Sharif, Enshad Hossain Sadee, Shamsul Arefin Producer and light design: Mithu Azad Sound: Sadeq Ahmad Sadi Set design: Shahab Uddin Ahmed Costumes: East End Logistics Stage manager: Maher Ahmed Stage support: Mitun Chandra Das Front of the house: Alex Heslop A Season of Bangla Drama 2-24 November 2013 3 Thursday 7 November Arts Two Queen Mary University of London Seminar on Tagore’s dance Saturday 9 (5pm) Nov dramas and the female Pinter Studio protagonists of Queen Mary University Shyama, Chitrangada of London and Chondalika By Mohamed Mijarul Quayes The Long Table Mohamed Mijarul Quayes is passionate about the genius of Rabindranath Tagore and will examine Tagore’s dance dramas, The Long Table format for creative debate is with a special focus on the protagonists of a hybrid between a dinner party conversation, three - Shyama, Chitrangada and Chondalika, a seminar and a performance, combining all female. Quayes will explore how each openness with a unique mediating structure character represents, beyond gender, the provided by the table itself. human context, and remains relevant to contemporary audiences. First developed by Professor Lois Weaver of Queen Mary, University of London, the Mijarul Quayes likes to go by his intellectual Long Table is now used internationally as hat of un homme des lettres. He teaches an alternative to more formal modes of aesthetics and the history of art at the National discussion. Academy of Fine Arts in Dhaka, and writes on the arts and aesthetics, drama, film etc. At this year’s Festival we will spend the set 90 minutes of the Long Table exploring the In his everyday professional life, Mijarul question: “What is Bangla Performance?” Quayes is the High Commissioner of in a way that we hope is entertaining, Bangladesh in London. A career diplomat, he ground-breaking and also as involving and has previously served as Bangladesh’s Foreign inclusive as we intend the Festival as a Secretary (2009-2012). whole to be. Friday 8 & Saturday 9 November, Rich Mix The Rokeya Project presents Qatif Written by Showmi Das and The Rokeya Project Collective of True Stories Qatif is a tragic and true story set in modern day The Rokeya Project is named after Rokeya Saudi Arabia. It made global headlines in 2006, Sakhawat Hossain who was a revolutionary and this theatrical retelling is brought to you by figure in Bengali history, and fought throughout The Rokeya Project. her life to give Muslim women a voice almost 100 years ago. In 2006 a young girl was not only gang raped but later sentenced to 6 months in prison and 200 Each production they stage focuses around lashes for merely being in the presence of an the key messages she espoused, namely that unrelated member of the opposite sex. Although violence against women must never be this injustice caught the attention of the world accepted, never excused and never tolerated. media, this Qatif girl is still not free. Every girl and woman has the right to be respected, valued and protected fearlessly. Using a multicultural cast, the compelling tale Qatif (Fearless), is brought to life by utilising a Their aim is to raise awareness of such abuses dynamic mixture of Movement, Theatre and various in a bid to generate outrage and eradicate disciplines of Dance, mainly Contemporary twists such actions. on South Asian dance forms. It goes on to tell the true story of the horrific and recent gang rape case www.rokeya.co.uk in Delhi, where the victim did not survive. A Season of Bangla Drama 2-24 November 2013 5 Saturday 9 November Theatre (Bangladesh) presents Mukti Adapted & written by Mohamed Mijarul Quayes The iconic Ferdausi Majumdar portrays the pathologically self-absorbed mother. She is a Mukti is an adaptation by Mohamed MIjarul complex character torn between duties and Quayes of American playwright Lee Blessing’s feelings who wreaks havoc on her daughters’ Independence play for Theatre, one of the emotional lives, behind the guise of an leading troupes of Bangladesh by. affectionate and devoted parent. The production is directed by the young and alented Tropa Majumdar. Quayes has rewritten Cast and production team: the play to provide a Bengali social context Actors: Ferdausi Majumdar, Tamanna Islam, whilst maintaining the original storyline which Tanjum Ara Polly, Tanven Sweety revolves around mother/ daughter relationships. Direction: Tropa Majumdar Set design: Mansur Ahmed The story begins with the homecoming of Set management: Khurshid Alam Rojoni, the career-driven eldest of three Light design: Nasirul Haque Khokon daughters, at the request of her younger sister Light operation: Shekanul Islam Shahi Damini. Portrayed as lovable and caring, Music: Jaglul Alam Damini is her mother’s caregiver but tension Background voice: Zakir Hossain, Shimul Khan builds up as it becomes apparent that she is Sound Operation: Abdullah al Mamun Jewel pregnant and her boyfriend, Shimanto, refuses Costume Design: Ferdausi Majumdar to marry her. Props Management: Tanvir Ahmed Production Advisors: Abdullah al-Mamun, Shohini, the third daughter, is an outspoken and Ramendu Majumdar rebellious teenager, whose attitude adds to the charged atmosphere immediately following Suppported by the Bangladesh High Rojoni’s return. Commission in the UK. Sat 9 (7pm) & Sun 10 November (3:30pm), QMUL Tamarind Theatre Company presents Being Ernest Written by Aiyaz Ahmed This novel interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s narrative is a comedy of manners based on the seriousness of society. What happens when two wealthy playboys, one in the city, one in the country, each pretends to be named Ernest in order to behave recklessly without damaging his reputation? Algernon lives in luxury in London and has invented an imaginary invalid friend whom he visits in the country whenever an unappealing social engagement presents itself. Jack has also invented a character - a wayward younger brother called Ernest whom he uses as pretext for going to London and enjoying himself.