Independent University, Bangladesh staged Helen, a contemporary adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s acclaimed play Hedda Gabler, at the IUB auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday.

The production was performed by students of the department of English and modern languages, said a press release.

The play was directed by Professor Ahmed Ahsanuzzaman, professor of English literature at the IUB and a noted Ibsen scholar.

Set in the context of modern Bangladesh, Helen explores a woman’s psychological conflict, the pressures of social norms and the struggle for personal freedom.

Themes of identity, power, desire and their collision with social realities form the core of the narrative.

Hakon Harald Guldbrandsen, ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, attended the event as special guest. Also present were Didar A Husain, chairman of the IUB board of trustees; Professor M Tamim, IUB vice-chancellor; and Professor Daniel W Lund, IUB pro-VC.

The adaptation team included Ahmed Ahsanuzzaman, Kanija Chowdhury, Kazi Raidah Afia Nusaiba and Nurjahan Oishee.

The cast featured Arnab Sarker, Farzana Faiza, M Rehneem Sajid Rohan, Nurjahan Oishee, Sadia Sultana, Srijon Shaikat, Syeda S Tahrin, and Yashna Zarine.

Reefat Munmun served as dance director, with choreography by Mahbuba Jahan Ashra.

Set and props were designed by Anika Jahan Ayshi, while stage management was led by Indira Barua, Md Shafwane Islam, Tahsin Ara Samanta and Tashriha Abdullah.

Make-up was coordinated by Aiman Shahla, Jafna Binte Sakhawat and Tahsin Ara Samanta; costume design was by Sadia Sultana and Nusrat Islam Isha.

Publication was handled by Kanija Chowdhury and Raidah Jahin.

Lyrics and music were composed by Mehedi Hasan Akash and lighting and management were overseen by Sowharda Paul.