A Season of - Bangla Drama - Tower Hamlets Arts

For more information call 020 7364 7900

www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/[email protected]

A Season of A Season of Bangla DramaBangla Drama

Performances, exhibitions and talks

1-30 November 2014

Tower Hamlets Council Presents

Message from the Mayor of Tower HamletsI am delighted to welcome you to the 2014 Season ofBangla Drama. This is back for the 12th year runningwith another energetic, high calibre and diverseprogramme of events which take place throughoutNovember. It promises to be entertaining andinformative as well as being a great vehicle forchampioning local talent and engaging new andestablished audiences in celebrating and learning aboutAnglo-Bengali theatre. I hope Tower Hamlets’ residentswill take advantage of this wonderful and uniquetheatrical festival.

Message from Head ofCommunit y Affairs, Canary Wharf Group Plc Canary Wharf Group Plc are once again delighted tobe associated with A Season of Bangla Drama 2014.We take pride in supporting local communityinitiatives, events such as this give local emergingwriters, directors and performers from the communitythe opportunity to showcase their hidden talent. I amparticularly pleased to see the performances being heldat different venues in the borough, displaying anothergreat selection of drama, music and seminars for all toenjoy. I hope the 2014 season continues to inspireaudiences through its many performances by once again exploring the Bengaliculture and heritage. Congratulations to all the writers, directors and performers forsharing their wonderful thoughts and aspiration with us, and good luck with allyour future endeavours.

Zakir Khan Head of CommunityAffairs

Lutfur RahmanMayor of Tower Hamlets

2 1-30 November 2014 A Season of Bangla Drama

A Season of Bangla Drama 1-30 November 2014 3

Saturday and Sunday, 1-2 November (incl matinee)Brady Arts Centre

Subachan Natt ya Sangsad presents Mohajoner Nao (The Boat of Infinit y)

Written by Shakoor Majid

Bangladeshi musical play Mohajoner Nao(The Boat of Infinity), is a biographicalsketch of mystic bard Baul Abdul Karimportrayed through the tradition of Baulfolk songs which use music and lyrics toexpress thoughts on divinity andphilosophy.

Shah Abdul Karim Karim was born in aremote area of Sunamganj in Bangladeshwhere the low lands are submerged withwater for much of the year. With no formaleducation, Karim‘s life has been focussedaround the land, the water and nature. Inhis quest to seek out truths about himselfand his creator, his songs explore themanmade structure of the boat as ametaphor for the self and how to navigatesafely through life. In this play, the body iscompared to a rented boat from amerchant (i.e. the almighty, infinity) whichhas be rowed correctly to its ultimatedestination in order to be returned ingood order. Human existence is a journeywith numerous perils and challenges andthe good character of the protagonist isalso depicted through Karim‘s standagainst bigotry and social discrimination,in keeping with the Baul tradition ofcelebrating spirituality and moral strength.

Subachan Nattya Sangsad was establishedin Dhaka, Bangladesh on 7 January 1977.Subachan is a professional theatre groupand an active member of BangladeshGroup Theatre Federation and theBangladesh Centre of the InternationalTheatre Institute. We are committed toprotecting cultural heritage andcelebrating the power of humanachievement through activism andperformance. Subachan keeps faith in thespirit of humanity and chants: humanitythou supreme, humanity thou subject,humanity thou eternal prospect.

S Y N O P S I S

Design & Direction: Sudip Chakroborthy Production: Subachan Nattya Sangsad, Dhaka, Bangladesh Actors: Gias Uddin Ahmed, Mohammad Ansar Ali, Md. Amirul Islam, ASM Asadul Islam,Sonia Hassan, Tanvir Ahmed Bhuyan, Shah Salauddin, Md Imran Hossain, Md Sohel Khan, Muhammad Fazlul Huq, Md Imtiaj Shawons Reza

Ministry of Cultural AffairsGovt. of the People's Republic of Bangadesh

A B O U T U S


Friday, 7 NovemberArts 1, Pinter Studio, Queen Mary University of London

Daedalus Theatre Company presentsEast www.daedalustheatre.co.uk

East is a project that invitedlocal residents to join in andshare some of the storieswhich stem from the EastEnd‘s rich and diversehistory of immigration.Working in collaborationwith storytellers ShamimAzad and Sef Townsend,and supported by localorganisations BishwoShahitto Kendro andDaedalus TheatreCompany, this project notonly celebrates the culturalvariety of East London but also some ofthe points of connection between peoplesfrom across the world. It has been createdin rehearsals using a mixture of theperformers‘ own experiences, and theirmemories of traditional songs and tales.The resulting performance will be backedup with music, visuals and a taste of localfood.

East is funded by Arts Council Englandwith support from Apples and Snakes. Itwas initially developed at Rich Mix, withadditional funding from Queen ElizabethOlympic Park.

Daedalus Theatre Company is aprofessional theatre group based in EastLondon that specialises in devised,documentary theatre and often worksoutside of arts venues, performing inplaces like Southwark Cathedral andAmnesty International UK‘s Human RightsResource Centre. Bishwo Shahitto Kendro(BSK) or World Literature Centre is acommunity- based arts organisation in EastLondon, which organises a wide range ofevents, including the Boi-Lit festival.

S Y N O P S I S

A B O U T U S

Actors: Cathy Daniels, David Solomon, John Heyderman, Rubi Hoque, Ziaur Rahman, Pernilla Iggstrom, Shoma Bari Performers/Assistant Project Leaders: Farah Naz, Paul Burgess, Sef Townsend, Shamim AzadStage Manager: Vera Erenbourg


Friday and Saturday, 7-8 NovemberBrady Arts Centre

Eastern Thespians presents Uttoradhikar (The Inheritance)

Written and directed by Debasish Banerjee www.easternthespians.com

Set in the year 1958 in Goa, now a coastalstate in India, this is the story of atime of change that revolves around theDe Cunha family estate and thedisintegration of its once glorious past.The play begins on a Sunday morning in1958 on the De Cunha family estate whereAnatole De Cunha, the septuagenarianwho looks after the estate, his nephew,Joaquim and niece, Margarita, the heirs tothe estate are entertaining some oldfriends. Through a series of scenes ofreality interpolated with illusions ofMargarita, the protagonist of the play, weare drawn into a turbulent world thatmakes the characters face questions ofallegiance, heritage, rights, roots andidentity. While uncle Anatole adheresstaunchly to his Portuguese origin,Margarita and Joaquim respond to thesituation very differently as do the othercharacters in the play. As the play unfoldsand hurtles to its inevitable climax it raisesthe questions of belonging and identityand our search for it, a question thatremains moot in the current world with itslarge migrant population.

Eastern Thespians are a contemporarytheatre group, based in London, UK.Drawing on the rich resources of botheastern and western life, thought,philosophy and art forms both traditionaland contemporary, we are committed topresenting life theatre that is vital, thoughtprovoking and engaging. We explorevarious genres of theatre in order todeliver productions with a wide,multicultural appeal.

S Y N O P S I S A B O U T U S

Actors: Chandrayee Sengupta, Suchishmita Ganguly, Souveek Ray, Mazedur Chowdhury, Samrat Sengupta, Debasish Banerjee Technical Support: Arjun Sen, Wasim Javed Makeem, Nilanjana Sengupta Stage Management: Adrika Sen Publicity: Shobhon Ahmed


Saturday and Sunday, 8-9 NovemberPinter Studio, Queen Mary University of London

Mukul & Ghetto Tigers presents Romeo & Juliet Written by William Shakespeare www.mukulandghettotigers.com

Romeo and Juliet have been crossingcultures for centuries and this Bengalilanguage interpretation of one ofShakespeare‘s most cherished works usespoetry, dance and music to tell the tragic,but ever-relevant story of the star-crossedlovers whose feuding families prevent theirhappy union.

Two families in the city of Verona arelocked into an ancient vendetta. Juliet, aMontague, and Romeo, a Capulet, fall inlove but cannot be together. The ill-fatedlovers are wed secretly but Romeo killsJuliet's cousin Tybalt by accident and issent into exile. Juliet's parents plan tomarry her off to another suitor, Paris, andto prevent this happening, the Friarsuggests that she feigns death by taking astrong sleeping potion. Meanwhile Romeois directed to meet his lover in secret butdoes not learn about the wider subterfuge.On arrival at the tomb, he mistakenlybelieves that she is dead and in grief takeshis own life. When Juliet awakes and findsRomeo dead she too seeks solace in deathand the promise of being reunited withher lover in eternity.

Mukul and Ghetto Tigers was founded in2011 by Mukul Ahmed. MGT is a London-based ensemble which devises inspiringand physically driven theatre. We arecommitted to exploring the art ofstorytelling in all its facets, fromdeveloping new writing to re-imaginingclassical works. Our vision is to createopportunity for the underprivileged. Wepropagate that theatre is not a commoditybut a democratic means of self-expressionand a vehicle for raising questions,protestations and provocations which areall signs of a functional democratic society.The company believes that innovativetheatre supported by the community helpsus to understand our responsibilities.


Actors: Delwar Hossain Dilu, Rez Kabir Vocalists: Tanusree Guha, Sharmin Reya Lighting: Paul Micah Set, Costume & Music: Mukul and Ghetto Tigers Collective


Sunday, 9 NovemberBrady Arts Centre

Shondany Ar ts presents Vashkorjo (The Sculpture)

Written by Makbul Chowdhury

Vashkorjo is based on anincident that happened inSylhet Bangladesh in 2013and explores the themes ofart, religion, the symbolismof public sculpture andfreedom of expression byrecounting the actualdebates which took place. Itwas planned to erect aSculpture at the gate ofShahjalal University in Sylhet, a prominenteducational institute and the onlyUniversity in the region of Sylhet. TheSculpture was themed around the 1971Freedom Fight of Bangladesh, anddepicted a mother blessing her son at themoment of him leaving her to fight for thefreedom of both his mother and themother land. A mother and a son. It wasthat simple, that divine.

A protest group contested the plans byclaiming that the body of the mother andson would go against the Islamic values ofthe town where the University is located.They called it ‘Murthi‘ a Bengali name forHindu God & Goddess that they worship.The drama Vashkorjo deals with thequestion whether a Sculpture is a piece ofwork which represents art, culturalheritage, and national history throughsymbolism as well as the meanings behindindividual, human stories or somethingonly to worship by a particular religiousgroup.

S Y N O P S I S

Directed by: Tarek ChowdhuryProduction Manager: Abdul Ahad SumonLight & Sound: Monawar MoynulDance Performance Co-ordinator: Golam Mostafa Choreography & Lead Dance Artist: Shreeparnadeb Sarker Actors: Azizur Rahman Hiron, Junayed Ahmed, M Atikur Rahman, Tarek Chowdhury,Shahidul Islam Shahed, Surman Miah, M Lukman Hussain Kazi, Aniruddha Chakravarti Dancers: Manobi, Rad, Afra, Bristi, Borsha & Jessica


Thursday, 13 NovemberRich Mix

Dakshinayan UK presents Navrasa - The Nine Emotions Written by Rabindranath Tagore

This is anexploration ofthe nineemotionswhich governour states ofbeing and areinterpretedthroughTagore‘s dancedramas.Passions,reactions and feelings are key ingredientsof powerful storytelling and thisproduction uses excerpts of Tagore‘s worksto present a contemporary reflection onthe age-old and universal emotions ofmankind. Titles and themes includeDakghar (sadness), Chitrangada (courage),Notir Puja (peace), Chandalika: (disgust),Rakta Karabi (anger), Tasher Desh(wonder), Khudhito Pasan (fear of death),Chirokumar Sabha (laughter) and Shyama(love).

Dakshinayan UK was established inLondon in 2003. Its main aims are topropagate South Asian art forms and theworks of Rabindranath Tagore.Dakshinayan runs weekly classes when itteaches the curriculum of DakshineeKolkata, with whom it is affiliated. Themembers of Dakshinayan are allprofessionally trained singers, musiciansand dancers and the group has performedat venues throughout the UK andinternationally.

A B O U T U S

Overall Concept & Direction: Dr Ananda Gupta Directed by: Dr Arpita Ray Participants: Dr Ananda Gupta, Dr Arpita Ray, Dr Anirban Mandal-Chadrani Chatterjee,Lopamudra Chatterjee, Sreyashi Chakraborty Bhowmik, Mahua Dutta, Soma Das,Tanusree Biswas, Rikta Mukherjee, Anuradha Dutta, Banya Das, Indrani Datta, SenjutiDas, Cid Shaha, Koel Ghosh, Aindrilla Ghosh, Payel Basu, Ishita Bhattacharya,GautamSikdar, Ruma Biswas, Aritra Bhattacharya, Showmi Das, Suchishmita Ganguliand members of Essex Indians - Dakghar Arya Mandal, Teerna Mukherjee, WrichikBiswas Tista Mukherjee, Shreyasi Banerjee, Dipankar Mukhopadhay, SayantaniMukherjee, Nandini Biswas, Ranjana Banerjee, Suman Bhattacharya and AnirbanMandal, Sanjay, Srabantika Dasgupta

S Y N O P S I S


Friday and Saturday, 14-15 NovemberRich Mix

The Rokeya Project presents The Cruel Truth

Written by Showmi Das and Junior Mumunwww.rokeya.co.uk

‘The Cruel Truth‘includes variousdisciplines of danceand theatre and isbased on the truestories of two younggirls, Shaista and Ranifrom the Indian Sub-Continent whoconsent to arrangedmarriages withstrangers living in theUK, leaving friendsand family behind andbuilding a new life in aforeign land. Somearranged marriages dowork, but if they go wrong, theconsequences can be disastrous. Bothstories are explored from a positive andnegative perspective. Issues faced alongthe way include rape, domestic violence,maltreatment and more, all of which willaffect their destinies. This production alsopays tribute to another revolutionaryfigure, champion of women and a civilrights activist, Maya Angelou, whosemessages were similar to those of RokeyaHossain.

The Rokeya Project is named after RokeyaSakhawat Hossain, a revolutionary figure inIndian and Bengali history; an ecologist, ahuman rights activist and a campaigner foreducation across India and Bangladesh.The Rokeya Project uses her ideologies tobuild cross-continental links between UKand the world. We address these injusticesthrough arts, education and discussion inorder to explore why these issues happen,how we feel about it, and how togetherwe can work to resolve the issues.

S Y N O P S I S

A B O U T U S

Director & Choreographer: Showmi Das Lighting Design & Direction: Salvatore Salvo Sound Design & Direction: Kadir Hussain


Saturday, 15 November Brady Arts Centre

Docklands Theatre & Performing Ar ts presents Waiting for Godot Written by Samuel Beckett and translated by Asadul Islam

Two men, Vladimir and Estragon,meet near a tree. They converse onvarious topics and reveal that theyare waiting there for a man namedGodot. Other characters, the boymessenger, Pozzo and Lucky, comeand go with changed fortunes andmixed messages in each act as theplay progresses but there is noresolution because all theprotagonists are still tied togetheron an endless journey to anunknown place to rendezvous witha man known only as Godot. Insultsare traded and the various causes of theirsufferings are revealed which link in withthe four main concepts that Beckettimparts; namely the suffering of thetramps, their futile attempts to pass time,their intentions to leave, and, ultimately,their incessant wait. Waiting for Godot isone of the most important English plays ofthe 20th Century. The answers areambiguous; the play can be interpreted inmany ways, times and places and aBengali translation will introduce a wholenew audience to this modern classic.

Docklands Theatre and Performing Artsaims to provide a high quality visual andperforming arts platform to help crosscultural arts development throughpartnership work across Tower Hamlets.The organisation also provides a forum fordiscussion about arts projects in order tohelp widen audiences.

S Y N O P S I S

A B O U T U S

Directed by: Syeda Saima Ahmed Produced by: Dr Mukid Choudhury Stage Manager: Protthoy SheikhSet Designer: Alex Haslop Light Designer: Mithu Azad Costume Designer: Dr Sharmin Shahajan Make-up Designer: Babu Choudhury Props & Poster Designer: Priyoty SheikhSound Designer: Sadeq Ahmad Sadi Front of House: Shuman Khan, MaherAhmed, Dr Nazma Jhuma & Shumon Sharif


Sunday, 16 NovemberRich Mix

Nrit yakala Dance Heritage presents Karna Kunti and Leela

www.nrityakala.org

Tagore‘s poetry is represented in Karna-Kunti’s dance theatre through an excerptfrom the great epic ‘The Mahabharata‘which tells us the story of Kauravas, thehundred sons of the blind King Dhritaratraand Pandavas, the five sons of Pandu. Onekey episode is the battle of Kurukshetrawhich mirrors and symbolises the political,social, economical and emotional turmoilof the wider narrative. The mainprotagonists in battle are brothers who arefighting on opposite sides, unaware oftheir blood ties as the result of Karna beingabandoned at birth despite his royallineage. This drama depicts the episodewhere Kunti secretly approaches Karna toreveal her identity as his biological motherin a bid to end the bloodshed between hersons. It highlights the inherent conflicts ofloyalty to a cause and to a family.

Nrityakala Dance Heritage was founded byBithika Raha Basu in 1986 as a school ofIndian dance with the philosophy –learning through rhythm. Lord Dholakia isPatron of the organization. Our centralmission is to produce dance theatre basedon poems and stories through translationwhich celebrate Tagore, and intertwineliterature with drama in thought provokingand relevant ways.


Karna-Kunti Recitation in English: Shabana Azmi(Kunti) and late Farooq Sheikh (Karna)Dancers: Bithika Raha Basu and CidShahaTranslation: Ketaki Kushari Dyson Concept & Direction: Bithika Raha Basu.

Leela – Dance drama adaptation of–Bhanu Shingher Padabaliǁ byRabindranath TagoreDancers: Tuhina ChakravortyBhattacharya, Suchismita Ganguly,Senjuti Das, Showmi Das, UmmeRumman Adity Roy, Payel Basu, IshitaBhattacharya and Bipasha Sreya RahaMusic & Editing: Shomik Raha & Kavi VarsaniPhotography & Lighting:Shobhon A Ahmed and Dhiraj VarsaniPublicity: Syed B Mahmood & Chaya BiswasStage Management: Sulakshana Biswas &Tithi Ghose



Monchoshoilee presents The King’s Courier

Tagore‘s much loved tale of The PostOffice, Dak-Ghar, is reinterpreted into ‘TheKing‘s Courier‘, a one-act play which ismore of a ‘fantasia‘. Both Tagore‘s and thepresent play deal with the prematuredeath of a little boy called Amal. With alarge number of children in lead roles, thisplay has a focus on mortality. Yet there areconsiderable differences. In Tagore‘s play the dying boy is always on-stage,acting as a catalyst to adult reactions to hiscertain death. In the present play, the boyAmal is very much off-stage while the on-stage adult characters (almost oblivious tothe boy and his death) queried by villagechildren, express their purpose on earthand the joy of their work. The villagechildren eventually relate each character toAmal‘s imminent departure from themortal world.

Monchoshoilee is part of Bishwo ShahittoKendro, a creative art, literature andeducation based organisation whoseprogrammes promote harmonious cross-community relationships.


Actors: Ruhin Rahman, Amal Nawar,Hossain Reevu, Sumaisa Salsabil Esaba,Syeda Afreen Zaman Ahona, Taha AbuHanif, Wafeeq Zaman Tayseer, AdibaAnjum Hossain Noha, Farah Naz Ruby Hoque, Tapsri Sangma, AyeshaElahi, Rana Meher, Shah Md.Wahiduzzaman, Jahirul Haque Ifti,Mozibul Hoque Moni, Jakir Chowdhury,Ziaur Rahman Saklen, Arifuzzaman Syed, Humayuen Kabir Mahin/Ujjal Das,Rajib Das Raju Director & Choreography:Ziaur Rahman SaklenCreative Producer: Shamim AzadProduction Manager: Arifuzzaman SyedAdvisor: Humayuen Kabir MahinLighting: Rajib DasWardrobe: Khadija RahmanLed by: Nila Shaha, Syeda Ifat Ara, NusratSarmin Head of Music: Anuradha RomaChoudhuryBacking Vocalist: Shudeshna ChakrobortyDiya Taslima Parvin ShimaSet Design: Shudip Chakraborty, AtiqulIslamMake-up: Ruhul Amin and Rajib Das,Ashesh Roy, Ifti, JakirProjector Design: Khadija Rahman

Written by Dr Bishnu P Choudhury


Friday, 21 NovemberBrady Arts Centre

Charulata presents Chandalika

Written by Rabindranath Tagore

A Dance Drama telling the tale ofChandalika by Rabindranath Tagore whichcentres around how a low caste girlobtains the blessing of a Buddhist monkresulting in a significant transformation toher life, outlook and behaviour.

The play begins at the confrontation ofPrakriti and her Mother over the topic ofAnanda‘s inspiration of Prakriti as a living,breathing human being and not as anuntouchable, despicable, socially rejectedChandalini. His magical words – ‘Give mewater‘ – addressed to the frightened girl,significantly negate her orthodox sense ofbeing an outcaste. In terms of social andreligious codes of conduct, to receive andto give food or water were sacrilegious forboth – them and the untouchable. In theplay, therefore, the ‘water act‘ presents theuntouchable‘s liberation from the unjustbondage of slavery of the customaryprison of marginality. A new human beingfull of vitality, exuberance and revolt fromthis oppressive custom is born.

Charulata Academy was established inBangladesh in 2007 and in London in2014. It has developed a variedprogramme in order to give pupils theopportunity to develop skills inperformance, appreciation and teamwork.Chandalika is the first production inLondon from Charulata.


Actors: Suparna Roy Barman, Alpana Roy Barman, Ziaur Rahman Saklen, Raj Das, Kaniz Fatema, Nisha Nyame, Dipti, Vlad Ardelian, Stephen Pratul Raskit, Swagata RoyChowdhury Director & Founder: Alpana Roy BarmanCo Founder: Prosenjit Choudhary Production Manager: Suparna Roy Barman


MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

3 4 5 6

10 11 12 13

17 18 19 20

24 25 26 27

1-30 November - Exhibition: Bengal Dream by Rahemur Rahman FREE

Tickets cost: £8 & £5 concs (unless otherwise stated). Doors open 7.00pm show starts 7.30pm E: [email protected] To book tickets, go to http://aseasonofbangladrama2014.eventbrite.co.uk

Talk: Theatrepractice, directingin Bangladesh – My ExperiencesFreeKobi Nazrul Centre

The Long Table -What “Use” isperformance in theBangladeshicommunity? FreePinter Studios

Navrasa - The NineEmotions(Bangla/English)Rich Mix

Talk: Theatre inConflictFreeKobi Nazrul Centre

Talk: ContemporaryTheatre: Re-inventing theNarrative FreePinter Studios

The Planet of theGrapes & Attack ofthe Green Chillies(English)The Space

The Planet of theGrapes & Attack ofthe Green Chillies(English)The Space

A Season of Bangla Drama –


1-30 November 2014FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY VENUES

1 2 Brady Arts Centre192- 196 HanburyStreet, E1 5HU Tel: 020 7364 7900

Kobi Nazrul Centre30 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR

Pinter StudioQueen MaryUniversity ofLondon, Mile EndRoad, E1 4NS

Rich Mix35-47 Bethnal GreenRoad, E1 6LATel: 020 7613 7498

The Space269 Westferry Road,E14 3RSTel: 020 7515 7799

7 8 9

14 15 16

21 22 23

28 29 30

Mohajoner Nao -The Boat of Infinity(Bangla) £10 & £8Brady Arts Centre

Mohajoner Nao -The Boat of Infinity(Bangla) £10 & £8(also matinee at2pm)Brady Arts Centre

East (English)Pinter StudiosUttoradhikar (The Inheritance)£10 & £8 (Bangla)Brady Arts Centre

Uttoradhikar (The Inheritance)£10 & £8 (Bangla)Brady Arts CentreRomeo & Juliet(Bangla/English)Pinter Studios

Romeo & Juliet(Bangla/English)Pinter StudiosVashkorjo (Bangla)Brady Arts Centre

The Cruel Truth(English)Rich MixTalk: Dirty Linen Free, 8.45pmRich Mix

The Cruel Truth(English)Rich MixWaiting for Godot(Bangla)Brady Arts Centre

Karna Kunti(Bangla/English)£10 & £8

Rich MixThe King’s Courier(Bangla)Brady Arts Centre

Chandalika(Bangla)Brady Arts Centre

Youth TheatrePathways for 13-19 years old1.00pm-7.30pmBrady Arts Centre

Salty Water & Us(English)Brady Arts Centre

Highly Unlikely(English) £10 & £8The Space

Hope N Mic £5Kobi Nazrul Highly Unlikely(English) £10 & £8The SpaceBiswanath to BrickLane £10 & £8Brady Arts Centre

Biswanath to BrickLane (Bangla)£10 & £8Brady Arts Centre

– Calendar


Saturday, 22 November (1.00pm-7.30pm) Brady Arts Centre

‘A’ Team Arts House of Talent Youth Theatre Pathways For young people aged 13-19 that live or study in Tower Hamlets

Are you interested in or currentlystudying Drama? Step into the world of theatre,imagination and creativity!

Working with professionals in the theatreindustry to explore performancetechniques and create a short performancein 2 hours after the workshops!

Dynamic master classes by industryprofessionals include physical theatre &masks, Page to Stage and Stanislavski andthe Method.

Following the short performances youngpeople will have the opportunity toaudition for our next big productionHidden Heroes, a site specific show for2015.

For more information or to book yourplace, please contact Canan Salih on 020 7736 7912 or [email protected]

Tower Hamlets Council’s youth artsplatform ‘A’ Team Arts co-ordinatesprogrammes across the borough aimed at young people aged 13-19 years, and up to25yrs with SEN, who live or study in Tower Hamlets. Using theatre, textiles, design,and music, artists and young people learn,discover and experiment. Ideas aretransformed and translated intoperformances, exhibitions and personalworks of art to share with friends, families,the community or sometimes a muchwider public.


Tuesday and Wednesday, 25-26 NovemberThe Space

Musalman presents The Planet of the Grapes and

Attack of the Green Chillies Written by Musalman Qualam

www.musalman.me.uk

The Planet of the Grapes andthe Attack of the GreenChillies is a surreal butcontemporary take on thethemes from George Orwell‘sAnimal Farm, by using fruitand vegetables to portrayhierarchy and the passion forchange.

This alternative comical lookat the Grape War on theWestern Front, examinesissues of conflict by using the metaphor ofthe vines and the many colours of theirvaried produce. From black to white, withvaried attire, languages and accents, thegrapes represent different cultures,countries and races.

Drawing from his British Bangladeshi,Muslim upbringing Musalman undertakes a humorous journey which encountersbeauty and the power of human nature.Live music is provided by twoaccompanying percussionists. There is alsoa complimentary table-top pop exhibition.

www.musalman.me.uk is a freelancecreative industries related companyfronted by an individual, with the stagename Musalman Qualam. His extensiveeducation incorporates a BA Hons degreein Design and the production of acollection of Islamic Geometric handfelted, hand painted, soft Mario WoolScarves. His MA involved research into‘Digital Bangladesh‘ and he is nowplanning to embark on a PhD study inSaudi Arabia, beginning in 2018. Withwide-ranging interests and cultural output,his performing arts pieces involve socialcommentary as well as Muslim humour.

S Y N O P S I S

A B O U T U S

Script Writer, Actor, Director, Producer: Musalman QualamExecutive Director: Ejel Khan


Friday and Saturday, 28-29 NovemberThe Space

The Filim Company presentsHighly Unlikely Written and directed by Kayser A Foyz www.filim.co.uk

Highly Unlikely is a whimsical foray intodifferent perceptions of relationships andmarriage told through the perspectives offour individuals with varying values,experiences and beliefs! One protagonist isa young man about to enter into anarranged marriage, another is a freespirited young woman who rejects thewhole notion of matrimony, an older manwho has remained single and a womanwho is a divorcee. Needless to say, someideas change with age and this lighthearted comedy cuts through the'matchmaking and check-listing' route to marriage and questions the real reasons forwanting to ‘tie the knot‘.

The Filim Company are a mixed mediaproduction company that specialise increating engaging and thought provokingproductions that have mainstreamcommercial value entertainment withstrong social narrative. Established back in2002 by two brothers Kayser A. Foyz andKobir A. Forid have continued to createworks in film, stage, documentary andanimation and have recently set up theirfirst international branch in Bangladesh.The organisation‘s long term objective isto create interesting and engaging piecesof stage, film, drama, and documentariesand to attract both mainstream audiencesand niche groups with complex subjectmatters which are relevant to the fast-paced age we live in.

Actors: Hari Sajjan, Sayera Haque, Uzair Bhatti, Taj Kandula Produced by: Aleya Chowdhury Production Manager: Kobir A Forid Assistant Producer: Yasmin Chowdhury Stage Manager: Shahed Miah



Saturday and Sunday, 29-30 NovemberBrady Arts Centre

Natnandan presents Biswanath to Brick Lane

Written and directed by Mosammet Asma Akhter

The play is based on lifestories of people whocame to 'Brick Lane' inLondon from a placecalled 'Biswanath' inSylhet. The play examinesthe effects of migration onfamilies, along with thedreams and myths aboutsettling here. The storylinerevolves around a mother,a son, and his beloved. Itlooks at the social contextof the liberation war and its victims andrepercussions. It highlights the sacrificesthey made over the years. The playcombines an unconventional story,innovative acting, folk songs, and livemusic including flute and Dhol. It isdedicated to two key charity groups:Colour of Paradise and Shisuder JonneAmra.

Established in 2012, Natnandan works tonurture the theatre movement ofBangladesh and has succesfuly delivered arange of drama productions including 2folk stage shows, 6 street shows, and 1home production. Natnandan has involveditself with charity works, helping a groupof Rana Plaza victims and under privilegedabandoned children of working girls. It contributes 50% of all its collection tothese charities.

S Y N O P S I S

A B O U T U S

Actors: Mosammet Asma Akhter, Shamsun Nahar Begum, Md Fazlur Rahman, AhsanHabib, Muhammad Delowar Hussain Ripon, Md Mahadi Hasan, Sayem MurshedTalukder, Syed Eraz Mahamodi, Ahmed Akhter Joty Set Design: Syed Eraz Mahamodi, Muhammad Delowar Hussain RiponLight & Sound: Syed Eraz Mahamodi, Ahmed Akhter Joty Music: Md Mahadi Hasan Songs: Md Fazlur Rahman, Ahsan HabibCostume Design: Shamsun Nahar BegumPoster Design: Dr Shahedur Rahman, Muhammad Delowar Hussain Ripon Photography: Mir Rezaul Hayat ShabbirProduction Coordinator: Dr Shahedur Rahman

Supported by


The collection took inspiration fromphotographs of Rahemur Rahman‘sparents, fusing their heritage fromBangladesh through clothing with thelifestyle of the modern sartorial dream.Looking at colours and textures that wereused to create intricate fabrics from weave,knit, and print, the designer merged theaspects into a vibrant spring/summercollection.

Rahemur Rahman’s use of collage is whatmade ideas and concepts on paper comealive, putting the colourful fabrics againsttraditional menswear shapes created astrong visual starting point. Throughexperimental weaving, knitting andtraditional screen printing, all practices stillused in old world Bangladesh, new fabricsand textures were created to bring alivethe sartorial silhouettes of menswear.

Rahemur Rahman sampled weave by handin London to produce samples and quickideas into visual formats, but ultimatelydesigns were sent back to the village ofMirpur, Bangladesh to produce the fabric.Using traditional weave he highlights thecountry‘s strengths as a sustainablemanufacturer of fabrics, despite recentevents such as Rana Plaza. The collectionwas produced with this ethical ideology toshow that Bangladesh is still viable as afashion entity. The use of fabrics andmanufacturers in his collection was veryimportant to the designer, as beingBangladeshi himself he felt it was needed

to emphasise the sustainable and ethicaluses of Bangladesh as a producer offashion.

The collection was accessorised with bags,sunglasses and shoes, all made andcustomised by the designer himself.Rahemur Rahman used soft suede, andlambskin using spray paints to createstriking bags to bring out the vibrancy ofeach look. Traditional menswear shoeswere spray painted gold, pink and peachto compliments and enhance the textiles,along with sunglasses to bring forwardthat fresh new approach to sustainablefashion in high end luxury menswear.

Rahemur Rahman Exhibition: Bengal Dream

1-30 NovemberBrady Arts Centre

Official launch of exhibition on 6 Nov from 6-8pm


Thursday, 6 NovemberArts 1, Pinter Studio,

Queen Mary University of London

The Long Table ‘What ‘use isperformance in the Bangladeshi

Communit y?’ The LongTable formatfor creativedebate is ahybridbetween adinner partyconversation,a seminar

and a performance, combining open-ness witha unique mediating structure provided by thetable itself. First developed by Professor LoisWeaver of Queen Mary, University of London,the Long Table is now used internationally as analternative to more formal modes of discussion.After the great success of last year's Long Tablewe are pushing the potential of the format in2014 to go where ordinary debates dare nottread, framing the event with the deliberatelyprovocative question: WHAT "USE" ISPERFORMANCE BY THE BANGLADESHICOMMUNITY? The holding format of the eventallows this kind of contested question toembrace digression: to branch out into whetherperformance BY the Bangladeshi community isthe same as FOR or WITH or ABOUT. And withan emphasis on Youth participation (by populardemand from last year's guests) we anticipate afull and challenging evening, whether youwatch, whether you witness, whether you speakor whether you launch into a good oldfashioned rant!

Monday, 3 NovemberKobi Nazrul Centre

My Experience by SudipChakroborthy

followed by musical show bySubachan Nattya Sangsad

Sudip Chakroborthy is a theatrepractitioner andacademic basedin Bangladeshwho will discusshis journey increating andtouring theatreat home andoverseas. As partof the

Department ofTheatre & Performance Studies atthe University of Dhaka, he hasworked creatively in India, UK, USAand the Republic of Korea.Performance credits include directing22 plays, acting in 20 plays,conducting numerous workshopswith children and youthorganizations and providing set andlighting design for 35 plays inBangladesh. He received the CharlesWallace Artists Visitorship Award in2013 –14 and Contacting The World(CTW) Professional DevelopmentProgramme bursaries fromCONTACT Manchester in 2006 &2010. He has also been supported bythe International Festival forEmerging Artists (IFEA) by TheatreRoyal Stratford East London in 2008.

Talks, panel discussions and readings


Friday, 14 NovemberRich Mix, 8.45pm

SAWCC: Dir t y Linen - TheChallenges of Creating ‘issueled’ Asian drama in Britain The South Asian Women‘s CreativeCollective (SAWCC) co-hosts a unique‘fishbowl-style‘ post-show discussion afterThe Cruel Truth, and begins by asking thequestion, ‘are Asian writers and artistswashing dirty linen in public?’ Asian writersand theatre practitioners often choose toexplore complex cultural themes –especially female-centred topics – in publicspaces. Could doing so make ourcommunities more vulnerable to culturalstereotyping? Issues such as forcedmarriage, honour based violence,arranged marriage, and cultural repression– although not specific to Asian culture, doaffect many of our communities. Artiststherefore often face the dilemma ofengaging the public honestly, whilst beingsensitive to the British cultural landscape.Does such art build multicultural credibilityfor mainstream spaces? Does ‘washingdirty linen‘ in public spaces enhance orhamper our place in multicultural British society? Join theatre practitioners andexperts; as well as the director and cast, aswe dialogue via this gathering of peoplewith common interests.

This post-show dialogue is FREE; open toThe Cruel Truth attendees, and to othersas a stand-alone discussion.

About SAWCC SAWCC London (pronounced ‘saucy’) area creative network by and for women arts practitioners and appreciators with originsfrom, or a keen interest in South Asia.SAWCC nurtures independently-forged

British South Asian female creativeexpression. Featuring free women-only‘monthlies‘ and extremely popular openpublic events, SAWCC offers a platform where women can actively share, develop,and promote creative ideas and works.Founded in 2004 and celebrating 10 years,SAWCC London is a sister organisation ofSAWCC New York, a vibrant respected artsorganisation.

Wednesday, 19 NovemberKobi Nazrul Centre

Sandpit Ar ts host PanelDiscussion: Theatre in Conflict The notion ofconflict is intimatelyconnected withtheatre-making. Werely on conflict todrive our storiesforward. A theatreworking in the areaof conflicttransformation is,therefore, working infamiliar territory. Or is it? In this paneldiscussion, invited speakers will explorethe role theatre and performance can playin times and spaces of conflict.

Sandpit Arts is a non-profit artsorganisation established in 2011. Pastwork has included The Far Pavilion,Brighton‘s first ever festival of Arabic film,music, dance and storytelling as well asour annual playwriting competition fornew and emerging writers, Bulbul, whichattracts entries from around the world. Aswell as these activities, we have also runfilm screenings, lectures, performancesand workshops around the country.www.sandpitarts.org.


Thursday, 20 NovemberArts 1 Pinter Studio

Contemporary Theatre: Re-inventing the Narrative By Mohammed Mijarul Quayes

Mijarul Quayes likes to go by hisintellectual hat of un homme des lettres. Heteaches aesthetics and the history of art atthe National Academy of Fine Arts inDhaka, and writes about the arts in abroad sense as well as focussing onaesthetics, drama and film. He sits on theBoard of Trustees of the Bishwo ShahitwoKendro (World Literature Centre), Dhaka,which he worked to establish withMagsaysay Award winner Abdullah AbuSayeed. Quayes has been involved withtwo of the premier international culturalevents in Bangladesh, viz., the Asian ArtBiennale – Bangladesh , and the DhakaInternational Film Festival; having servedon the international jury for both thefestivals.

In his everyday professional life, MijarulQuayes is the High Commissioner ofBangladesh in Brazil. A career diplomat, hehas previously served as Bangladesh‘sForeign Secretary (2009-2012) and HighCommissioner of Bangladesh, London(2012-14).


Reading: Purbanat CICpresents Salt y Water & Us

A reading from the tale ‘Salty Water‘ givesus an insight into the life of Soidulla whocame to the UK from Sylhet (Bangladesh)around the time 1808 to 1810 as a ‘lascar‘sailor and outlines the difficult plight of hisjourney, how he bonded with his peersand his plucky determination. The storyunfolds when he arrives in the UK, andreveals how he came to meet anEnglishman and bond in a different way bymaking unexpected links. The ensuingcultural interaction through food andother shared interests shows how mutualrespect and a two-way learning processwas achieved.

Murad Khan is a Diaspora theatre activistand a well-known playwright inBangladesh. While living in Bangladesh heworked with a number of theatre groupsas an actor, director and writer as well asteaching drama in two different schools.Now based in the UK, he is an Area YouthWorker who has been involved withseveral different community art groupsand theatre projects across Britain, and hasdelivered numerous workshops, along withdirecting plays and short films and helpingto develop young peoples‘ Arts Awardportfolios.

Friday, 28 NovemberKobi Nazrul Centre

Hope N Mic Join us for a night of networkingand live acts from singers, poets,wordsmiths and musicians.

Hope n Mic is the best open micscene in East London, providinga platform for spoken wordartists, both established andthose who are new to the scene,raising money for charity andgiving the public an entertainingnight out for only a £5 donationthat goes to the charity ofchoice.We are called Hope n Micbecause our event provideshope: hope for those wanting totry out spoken wordperformances, and hope for thecharity we support each monthwith our entry fee.

Acknowledgements Ashraf Mahmud Neswar – Founder of A Season ofBangla Drama, Md Mijarul Quayes – HighCommissioner of Bangladesh, Emma Warden, JulianDeering, Andrew Shaw, Oliver Carruthers, RhiannonWilkins, Nicola Muir, Glenford Barnes, AdamHemming, Rehan Jamil, Golam Nizam, SubrinaHossain, Hafiz Alam Bakhsh, Urmee Mazhar, SyedaChoudhury, Syed Samadul Hoque, ArfumanChowdhury, Nadia Ali, Inderpreet Sahota, NasfimHaque, Rayhan Rahman, Mark Strippel, Shamim Ali,Rukom Alom, Abdul Qayum (Jamal), Maraz Ahmed,Kobir A Forid, Shahed Miah, Sheikh Nurul Islam,Khadija Rahman, Leesa Gazi, Rahima Begum andRestless Beings, Stuart Cameras

Brochure information correct at time of going to press.

Festival Curator: Kazi Ruksana BegumFestival Assistant Producer: Isma ArifCentre Manager: Jerry DeeksMarketing and Publicity: Karen HubbardLighting and Sound Advisor: Suna MiahLighting & Sound: Tracy Hamill and Mithu AzadExhibitions: Jill FullbrookVolunteer Development Co-ordinator: Rajia KhanFestival Volunteers: Salman Chowdhury, JesminChowhury, Md Rasoul, Protthoy Sheikh, SanjidahAfsa, Sarah Chakmakchi and Samiah Habiba HannanBrady Centre Staff: Doug Bines, Bill Cooper, TsitranaSuszynski, Mushahed Ahmed, Hedayet Moula,Khadiza Begum, Janet Triggs, Alison Philcock, IanBennett and Regina Drungilas

Queen Mary University of London, in partnership with A Season of Bangla Drama

CPD Co-ordination: Rose SharpCPD Facilitation: Ali CampbellQMUL Web Support: Rob EllisQMUL Publicity Support: Mark ByrneCPD Support by AiR Supply Mentors

We would like to extend our sincere thanks toeveryone involved in making A Season of BanglaDrama possible



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