The Department of Theatre Arts at Rabindra Srijankala University, also known as the Tagore University of Creative Arts (TUCA), is set to launch its first annual theatre festival, bringing six productions from Bangladeshi and international theatre traditions to the stage over three days.
The festival will be held from June 17 to 19 at the Studio Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, with performances beginning daily at 7pm.
The opening day will feature “Kamalakanter Jabanbandi”, adapted from the celebrated work of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The production has been dramatised and directed by Nazimuddaula Jewel, with performances by Saiful Islam, Mridul Hasan and Rezaul Karim, among others. Through satire, the play examines social hypocrisy, morality and the contradictions embedded within systems of justice.
Also on June 17, audiences will see “Crossroads”, written by Carlos Solórzano, translated by Soumya Sarkar and directed by Rifat Ara Jui. Featuring performances by Suman Rana, Sharmi Chakma and Akash Paul, the play explores humanity’s fear of confronting reality and the illusions people create to conceal existential emptiness.
The second day of the festival will present “The Two-Character Play”, written by Tennessee Williams. Translated by Taosif Arefin Samya and directed by Alfaierd Elishay Joy, the production stars Maisha Masfika Tanisa and Nazmul Ahsan Munna. The play delves into themes of memory, loneliness, dreams and the fragile boundary between reality and performance.
The same evening will feature “Chokhe Angul Dada”, based on the work of Manoj Mitra. Adapted by Nazrul Sayeed and directed by Palak Chakraborty, the production includes performances by Palak Chakraborty, Suman Rana, Bandhan Saha and Habib. The socially conscious satire examines the role and contradictions of intellectuals in society.
The festival’s final day will open with “The Zoo Story”, the acclaimed one-act drama by Edward Albee. Translated by Kazi Mostain Billah and directed by Samar Kanti Singha, the play stars Sarwar Jahan Upol and Habibullah Habib. The production explores alienation, isolation and the psychological disconnection of modern urban life.
The festival will conclude with “Nawab Sirajuddaula”, a historical drama written and directed by Nazrul Sayeed. The cast includes Sajeeb Hossain, Priti Sutradhar, Fahad Khan and Dipti Saha, among others.
Organisers say the festival aims to showcase both local and international dramatic literature while providing students and emerging theatre practitioners with a platform to engage with diverse theatrical traditions.
