Vivadi Theatre from New Delhi stages “John Gabriel Borkman”
Passion in “John Gabriel Borkman”. Photo: Mumit M
Reputed Indian theatre troupe Vivadi staged Ibsen's penultimate work, "John Gabriel Borkman", at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on November 16. Dr. Anuradha Kapur, Professor of Acting and Direction at the National School of Drama and one of the founder members of Vivadi, directed the play.
"John Gabriel Borkman" is a story of the simmering 19th century tensions of repression and ambition. The protagonist stands apart from the stereotype romantic characters of that period.
The play is based on an incident that occurred in Christiania (Oslo) in the 1850s, when an army officer, accused of embezzlement, committed suicide.
Ibsen's version of the narrative examines the plight of the Borkman family following the indictment and incarceration for eight years of the titular character, a banker/miner, for illegally speculating with his investors' funds. Through this crime, Borkman faces the last tragedy of his life.
Though “John Gabriel Borkman” continues the line of naturalism and social commentary that marks Ibsen's middle period, the final act suggests a new phase for the playwright, a phase brought to fruition in his final, more symbolic work, "When We Dead Awaken".
Harish Khanna played the role of Gabriel Borkman, while Mandakini Goswami was Mrs. Borkman and Vipin Bhardawaj played the role of Erhart Borkman. Bidyavati Phukan, Savita Rani and Rajesh Tailang played other lead roles.
Sankar Venkateswaran composed music for the play. Daulat Vaid was the light designer, while Vishal K. Dar was the set designer of the play.
The same day, two adaptations of Ibsen's most acclaimed play "A Doll's House", were staged. Aarshi Theatre from Kolkata staged "Putuler Chithi" at the Studio Theatre. Abanti Chakraborty directed the play. Palakar staged "Norar Teen Konya" at the Experimental Theatre Hall. Aminur Rahman Mukul directed the play.
Today, two plays will be staged. Desh Natok will stage "Bhokto" (an adaptation of "Brand") at the Experimental Theatre Hall at 5pm. Shamsul Alam Bakul is the director of the play. Moaser Theatre, Tehran, Iran will stage "The Wild Duck" at the National Theatre Hall at 7pm.
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