Children's theatre festival in full swing

Enthusiastic children at the festival

Each day six theatre performances are staged and the festival has 80 children troupes as participants. When The Daily Star went to the venue on June 21, the Shishu Academy premises was buzzing with activity--children exchanging notes, discussing theatre performances and a few preparing themselves for the next show. Many of the children were from outside Dhaka.

The plays delivered hard-hitting social messages on gender and racial issues, among others.

Shibli Noman and Nazia Sharmin Linda, two child actors from Dinajpur, were among the major cast members of a play on racial issues. Shibli, a student of class 8, said, "I've been involved in theatre for the last six years. Since 2004 I have been working with a troupe, Amader Theatre, Dinajpur. In future, I want to be a prominent actor."

Like Shibli, Nazia Sharmin Linda had high hopes of being a renowned actor. A student of class nine, Linda said, "I've been in theatre for the last seven years. I am fortunate to get the encouragement of my family to pursue theatre activities."

There were many others like Shibli and Lina. A few came to perform despite exam fever. Sonia Karim, a college student, said, "Even though the first year final is on, I am here to perform with my troupe, Children Art Theatre, which I joined in Class 5." Her teammate Sheikh Mohammad Saikat added, "Ours is a 40-member team. And we have all come here to participate at the theatre festival."

There are many organisations working in the sphere of children's theatre. But, what's the scenario at the district level? Tarequzzaman Tareq, the general secretary of Amader Theatre, Dinajpur, said, "We face infrastructural and financial constraints. Nevertheless, we continue with our mission to create future actors, especially women."

Liaquat Ali Lucky, general secretary of People's Theatre Associ-ation, said, "Our aim is to create a future generation of theatre activists. I've been working in this direction for the last 17 years.

"We sell tickets at the rate of Taka five for children and Taka 10 for adults. Swedish ITI, CIDA and a few other local organisations are extending support to us. In future we hope to arrange an international children's theatre festival."