Prachyanat stages “Punarjanmo”
Punarjanmo--when the dead awaken. Photo: Mumit M.
A deconstruction of Henrik Ibsen's last play "When We Dead Awaken" by local troupe Prachyanat was staged at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on November 20. The play "Punarjanmo" was staged as part of the ongoing International Ibsen Seminar and Theatre Festival. Directed by Azad Abul Kalam, the play is an intensive insight into the characters' psyche.
"When We Dead Awaken" is considered different from Ibsen's earlier works. It could be related in some ways to his later works like "John Gabriel Borkman" and "The Master Builder."
Where Ibsen's original work depicts the death of the protagonist Professor Arnold Rubek at the end, in "Punarjanmo" we find no sign of death or end of his life.
The story of "Punarjanmo" starts with Professor Rubek and his wife Maja sitting in the garden of a coastal hotel. The couple come here on a long vacation. Although famous as an artist, Rubek is going through a humdrum of his life and no more enjoys his marital state.
In such a mental state, everything changes when two individuals from his past come to the scene. One is Ulfhejm the filthy bear hunter, while the other is Irene, the model for his art and the lone inspiration behind his present position.
Maja herself feels bored with Rubek. As a result, she finds Ulfhejm's materialistic talking more interesting than her husband's poetic expressions. Gradually she agrees to the offer by Ulfhejm to go with him for bear hunting to the top of the mountain. Perhaps it gives Rubek a sense of relief and more time to reminisce on his old days with Irene.
Rubek and Irene recall their old days with enthusiasm. To fulfil his earlier promise, Rubek also leads a journey to the mountaintop with Irene. In rough weather, there they meet Maja and Ulfhejm, who are on their way back. The play ends, as their journey leaves no sign of ending.
The director has himself enacted the role of Professor Rubek. Sheikh Jannatul Ferdous Eti and Reetu A Sattar perform as Maja and Irene respectively.
Dressed in black attire, Sanjida Preety performs in a role, which seems to be the shadowy presence or the dark side of Irene. In contrast, Irene's white dress symbolically stands for her innocence and beauty.
The play sees the character Ulfejm in a bit more elaborate way in comparison with the earlier adaptation of the play, "Ashibagee Eshei", by Chorus Repertory Theatre. Toufiqul Islam Emon performs the role. Shariful Islam plays the Inspector.
The play has been adapted by Shahidul Mamun. Rahul Anand is the music director, while M Shaiful Islam is the set and light designer. The set, designed with polypaper, was innovative.
Today, Bangaranga Natyadal will stage "Guru Nirmata" (adaptation of "The Master Builder") at the Experimental Theatre Hall at 5pm. Asif Munir is the director of the play. At the National Theatre Hall, Centre for Asian Theatre will stage one of its earlier productions, "The Lady from the Sea", at 7pm. Un-Magritt Nordseth directs the play.
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