The Distant Near: A monodrama linking Tagore and Shakespeare
Bangla Theatre brought to the stage a new monodrama highlighting core aspects of the writings of two creative titans -- Rabindranath Tagore and William Shakespeare. The play, titled “The Distant Near”, has been written by Shahidul Mamun, and directed, designed by Faiz Zahir. Veteran thespian Mamunur Rashid enacted several characters in the play including Tagore, Shakespeare and major characters created by both the bards.
The premiere show of the play was held at the British Council Auditorium on August 14.
The play will be staged at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011 that starts from August 22. The cast and crew of “The Distant Near” are leaving Bangladesh for the UK this evening and will return to the country on September 4. Apart from taking part in the festival, the monodrama will also be staged several times in London and Oxfordshire, according to the troupe. Playwright Shahidul Mamun informed that the troupe would arrange a special show after returning from UK.
The play is a tribute to Tagore on his 150th birth anniversary (this year), and marks 200 years of Shakespeare and his plays on the Bengali stage. The play narrates how Rabindranath -- arguably the most prominent figure of the 19th century Bengal Renaissance -- comes to appreciate Shakespeare, and admits influence of the Bard of Avon on his own writing.
“The Distant Near” is an attempt to see Shakespeare through the eyes of Rabindranath who, although separated by centuries and two different cultures, sings about the struggles of the former, against great odds of life. It is an initiative to bridge dialogues from their plays as well.
The playwright has used quotes from works of both the masters, including “Bisharjan”, “Raja” and “Rakto Karobi” as well as “The Tempest”, “Macbeth”, “Hamlet” and “King Lear”. The playwright has also drawn inspiration from Tagore's poem “Africa”.
A major part of the nearly hour-long play shows Tagore on the stage, and his conversation with Shakespeare who speaks from background. The play comes to an end with Shakespeare reciprocating and appreciating Tagore's contribution to Bangla literature.
The play is in English.
Founded in 1991, Bangla Theatre has so far produced several plays including “Manush”, “Adim” and “Che'r Cycle”.
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