Analysing "No Man's Sky"

"No Man's Sky", a story crafted by Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (BSK) playwright Bulbul Hasan and director Syeda Saima Ahmed, depicts coming of age in this most unprecedented time of Covid-19. The play aired on November 20 as part of Season of Bangla Drama 2020 festival in the UK.

A BSK UK production, the play was organised by the Tower Hamlets council in association with Queen Mary University of London.

The intensity of this global health crisis and the consequential steps taken to ameliorate the pandemic has had an unparalleled effect on families and societies across the globe. The play looks closely at the stigmas associated with Covid-19 and leads its audiences to reflect on its effects from a very personal level.

Through the story of Abir, who had to fight his way through to his own home to buy space to mourn his father's death with his family, the play addresses the most critical aspect of today's world -- the friction between empathy and practicality.

For instance, there was a particular scene where Abir's mother gets an insolent call from the property owner, asking her to vacate the property despite being aware of her critical circumstances. Stigmas attached to the virus have led to many such incidents where empathy is not displayed.

 This is part of the reality that is often absent from discussions, but through "No Man's Sky", the writer forces its audience to reflect on this critical aspect of today's society. At a time when empathy is the biggest hope for humanity, this play quite bluntly points to the idea that perhaps the recent crisis is everything but a condition to amend this fractured world, which indeed is made of concrete.

This absence of humanity and the lack of empathy, however, is creatively contrasted through Abir's dialogues with his late father. Throughout the play, Abir reminisces his past in isolation, where he glances back at his beautiful childhood days and fond memories of growing up.

Through songs and poems, audiences were taken on a journey along with the characters, reliving Abir's childhood. On the other side, the director's use of shadow to portray Abir's father reminded the audience the importance of time, that we too often take for granted.

The irony was that it took the absence of living to reflect on life. Indeed, the play brilliantly uses the theme 'coming of age', and places it in the current timeline, showing us the importance of self-reflection, or as the writer simply puts, "a chance to see life on its own".

Thematically, the play is multifaceted as it encompasses a number of themes such as father-son relationship, alienation, existential issue, tracking of the memory lane, patriotic zeal and tormenting experience being an expatriate. The playwright has exquisitely delineated the multiplicity of themes in this play. Along with its thought-provoking storyline, the cast and director of "No Man's Sky" deserve special credit for their skilful handling of the 'new norm'.

 The background characters and voices used for instance were very effective in bringing depth to the story, helping audiences connect. Additionally, the tactful usage of lighting and props, made the play easy to follow and more engaging for the audiences. With its striking creativity and thought provoking story line, it was not surprising that the play received great volume of positive remarks.

The cast of "No Man's Sky" included Bulbul Hasan, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Sadeq Ahmed Chowdhury, Adnin Tarannum Sharathi, Shoayeeb Chamak  and Saima Ahmed Ramira Hasan.