The IUB Theatre has recently staged a Bangla adaptation of Ruqayyah Sakhawat Hossain鈥檚 Sultana鈥檚 Dream at the Independent University, Bangladesh in Dhaka.
Adapted and directed by Shopnil Sohel, the play, titled Sultanar Swapna, was performed at the IUB Auditorium, said a press release.
Sultana鈥檚 Dream imagines a ladyland, a utopian society built on gender equality.
Kiron Sarker Jui, who portrayed Ruqayyah in the play, said, 鈥榃e spent months working together on acting, stage, lighting, sound, costumes, everything. Through the process, we realised how urgent Ruqayyah鈥檚 imagined world still is today.鈥�
Momtaz Parvin Mumu, coordinator of IUB Theatre and lecturer in the department of media and communication, said, 鈥楢dapting a short story for the stage required converting descriptive passages into scenes and dialogue. She said time constraints led to some condensation of characters and events, and the dreamlike setting demanded careful coordination of lighting, set and sound.鈥�
IUB vice-chancellor Professor M Tamim said, 鈥楾he questions Ruqayyah raised about education, women鈥檚 empowerment and social structures remain relevant.鈥�
IUB board of trustees chairman Didar A Husain and treasurer Khandker Md Iftekhar Haider along with faculty members, officials and students, among others, attended the performance.
The other members of the caste include Sadia Afrin Aorna, Sumaia Akter Ema, Farzana Akter, Sunita Saha, Sunjuda Mahabub Kabbo, Joy Saha, Rishad Hasan Promit, Tahmid Tamzid Azan Sikder, Rifat Hasan, Hasibur Rahman Hasib, Ahmed Yashfin Sami, Nur-A Muktadir Azmir, Afrina Rahman, Hasibur Rahman Hasib, Nuzhat Tabassum, Md Kafinur Aziz Barno, Rakebul Hasan Rana, Nur-A Muktadir Azmir, Rishad Hasan Promit, Mehedi Hasan Akash, Md Tauhidul Islam Ankur, Sowhardra Paull, Maisha Rahman, Tabassum, Eva, Nusrat, Sadia, SM Sakil Amin, Md Samiul Islam and Nusrat Jannat Mim.
The crew includes Md Tauhidul Islam Ankur, assistant director; Rishad Hasan Promit, production executive; Sowhardra Paull, light; Md Ajmal Mahir, assistant production executive and props; Nuzhat Tabassum, poster, mask, costume; Shubhashish Dutta Tonmoy, makeup; Arnob, SM Shakil Amin and Mehedi Hasan Akash, music; Tahmid Tamzid Azan Sikder, set; and Sadia Afrin Aorna, choreography.