Five-day theatre festival by Padatik Natya Sangsad begins

Actors of Padatik in the murder mystery “Mousetrap”.Photo: Mumit M.

To commemorate the birth anniversary of its founder president Syed Badruddin Hossain, Padatik Natya Sangsad (TSC) has arranged a five-day theatre festival at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Titled "Syed Badruddin Hossain Srmiti Natyatshab O Smarok Shammanona 2010," the festival began on April 7. Five troupes, including the organiser and one from Kolkata, are staging their productions at the festival. On the inaugural day, Padatik staged its production "Mousetrap".
Former Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman was the chief guest at the programme. In his speech, Habibur Rahman termed Syed Badruddin Hossain as "one of the leading cultural personalities" of his time. He hoped that the theatre movement in Bangladesh would continue focusing on mass interest.
The inaugural session was presided over by Syed Tasnin Hossain, president, Padatik. Nasiruddin Yousuff, president, Shammilito Shangskritik Jote and Liaquat Ali Lucky, chairman, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation were special guests at the programme.
Festival convener Nihad Kabir, among others, spoke at the inaugural programme.
On the opening day Padatik staged its production "Mousetrap". The murder mystery play is an adaptation of British playwright Agatha Christie's work with the same title.
The play follows a young couple, Mollie and Giles Ralston, who have converted the Monkswell Manor into a hotel. They are snowed in, together with four guests and an additional traveller, who ran his car into a snowdrift. Detective Sergeant Trotter arrives to the hotel to inform the group that he believes a murderer is on his way to the hotel, following the death of Maureen Lyon in London.
When one of the guests -- Mrs Boyle -- is killed, the group realises that the murderer is already amongst them. The suspicion falls first on Christopher Wren, an erratic young man who fits the description of the supposed murderer. However, it quickly transpires that the killer could be any one of the guests, or even the hosts.
Mir Mehbub Alam Nahid directed the play translated by Abdus Selim. Shamsi Ara Sayeka, Sayem Samad, Sumon Ahmed, Kaniz Fatema and Shafiqur Rahman played the lead roles in the play. Md. Saiful Islam was the light and set designer of the play.
Other troupes participating at the festival are Nagarik Natya Sampradaya, Aranyak Natyadal, Loko Natyadal and Theatre Workshop (Kolkata).
At the closing programme, the organisers will felicitate two noted theatre personalities with "Syed Badruddin Hossain Srmiti Shammanana". The awardees are Mamunur Rashid and Shimul Yousuf.
Today, Theatre Workshop will stage "Jodio Galpo".