Palakar to stage silent monodrama Request Concert

Theatre troupe Palakar is bringing out its latest production, "Request Concert," (written by German playwright Franz Xaver Kroetz). Eminent theatre personality Kamaluddin Nilu is directing this experimental, one-actor play for Palakar. The play will be staged at the Palakar Studio at Natak Sarani (formerly known as Bailey Road) from February 20 to 28, at 6:30 pm everyday. The troupe has been regularly staging plays of different types, as well as experimenting on theatre, at their own studio within a limited space and with a professional approach.
"Request Concert" is a monodrama without any dialogue, centring on a middle-aged woman. On stage, the protagonist enters her apartment and does household chores well into the night. She hangs her clothes, cooks her meal, tidies up the room and so on. In her well-furnished apartment she has everything. But her existence strives with a sense of solitude. The play demands the character to develop through actions rather than dialogue -- exploring human condition from a distinct point of view.
"Farnz Xaver Kroetz is an young, controversial and experimental playwright. Annoyed with the overuse of spoken words in theatre, he tried to find a way to break free from the conventional theatrical language. 'Request Concert' is not just an assembly of images; its represents life as it is without romanticising it," said director Kamaluddin Nilu.
Noted actress Rokeya Rafiq Baby is playing the protagonist in the production. Premier show of the play is only for invited guests. Due to the arrangement of the set in the play, only 28 people can be accommodated in the studio during the show. The show will be open for the audience from February 21.