Language of theatre has no barrier

German actors (R) seen with other members of the teamPhoto: STAR

A collaboration between ASK (Ain-O-Shalish Kendra), NTZ (a German NGO that works for the underprivileged Bangladeshis along with ASK), the Goethe-Institut, Bangladesh and the German Embassy recently brought about a production of street theatre. This was presented at the Goethe-Institut on January 23, and Rabindra Sharobor (the amphitheatre in Dhanmondi) on January 24. The two NGOs deal with the underprivileged women and children in particular. The street theatre is a part of their function.
Torsten Oertel, Director of the Goethe- Insitut, Bangladesh, said that the street theatre people in Bangladesh were in contact with an agency in Germany, which brought in the two German film and TV actors. Oertel added that Islam Dialogue funded the endeavour to support human rights in Islamic countries. The Germans went to the rural areas near the Jamuna Bridge and worked with the ASK in Dhaka and the Acid Survivors' Foundation on women's rights.
The plot of the play, Mukti's Story developed as the members of the theatre met and exchanged ideas. They took elements from several stories and developed a single plot of pain, suffering and a happy finale. The storyline involves a woman attacked by an unrequited lover with acid. The family and friends are involved in the plot and so is the person with whom the young woman is actually in love with. The villain repents and asks for help. The protagonist finally follows a university career.
The play was in Bangla, while the actors discussed their parts at the outset in English with the German experts. The gestures, clothes and make-up played an important role in the story, such as the acid victim having red marks on her face. The actors worked for five days on their project, beginning on January 18.
Claudia Leipner, a volunteer of ASK and NTZ was the organiser. NTZ focuses on education and service delivery to the poor in Bangladesh.
Andy Gatjen, one of the German actors, said, “We came to have this cultural exchange with high hopes. I've studied in London in 2000; and worked in London TV, film and theatre. We did have some difficulties. The Bangladeshi participants were usually fluent in English, but the way we say things in Europe is not necessarily the way in which they put it in Bangla. We all worked on the script. This was not easy as we had only six days to rehearse. The play is based on a true story of an acid victim. My impression of Bangladeshis is that they work hard and have a lot of will power, despite limitations.”