Theatre festival at Natmandal begins

A weeklong theatre festival, featuring works of globally renowned playwrights, has begun at Natmandal, Dhaka University (DU), on August 11. The Department of Theatre, DU has arranged the festival, showcasing plays directed by final year students. On the first day, a comedy -- “Constantinople Smith” -- and Harold Pinter's “Landscape” were staged.
Former Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman was the chief guest at the inaugural progra-mme. Vice Chancellor of DU, Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique formally inaugurated the festival. Among others, Professor Harun-ur-Rashid, Pro-Vice Chancellor; Professor Mizanur Rahman, Treasurer and Professor Sadrul Amin, Dean of Faculty of Arts, were present as special guests.
“Constantinople Smith” was written by American playwright Charles L Mee Junior. Mithun Chowdhury has directed the play, translated by Julhas Mian. The play features three characters -- Constantinople Smith, a young man who takes himself very seriously; Christina, who falls for Smith and Reality, who tries to explain the facts of relationship between Smith and Christina.
As the play progresses, conversations among the three characters continue.
Reality tries to explain that the relationship between Smith and Christina is not real, rather an idealistic agreement. The couple ignore this observation and go about their way.
Nazmul Hasan, Ira Ahmed and Shakil Ahmed played the three characters. Imam Abdul Hakim and Sanjida Rahman jointly designed the stage and lighting.
Harold Pinter's existen-tialistic play “Landscape” narrates the tale of an elderly couple -- Beth and Duff. Farzana Aktar Chowdhury directed the play, translated by Uday Bhaduri. The play is set in a kitchen. The focus is on the interaction between the two characters. Duff speaks to Beth but does not appear to hear her voice. Beth never looks at Duff and does not appear to hear his voice either.
Beth recalls a romantic episode from the past, whether involving Duff or another man, it's not clear. Duff talks of more practical matters, and finally has a sort of outburst, evidently in frustration. Beth continues her romantic reverie throughout the play.
Silvia Nowrin and Rid-wanul Kabir played Beth and Duff. Mirza Shakhesep Shakib and Nadia Afrin jointly designed the stage, lighting, costumes, and planned music for the play.
The festival features 15 plays by legendary playwrights including Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, Eugene Ionesco, Jean-Paul Sartre, Eugene O'Neill and Ed Bullins. Adaptations of works by W.B. Yeats and Gabriel Garcia Marquez will also be staged at the festival. Today two plays Beckett's “Krapp's Last Tape” and Pinter's “Victoria Station” -- will be staged. Mohsina Aktar and Sharmin Sultana Munmun respectively will direct the plays.