Jadur Pradeep: where actions speak louder

A sequence from the mime show Jadur Pradeep

The main attraction of the evening was the mime show, which started two hours later than its original schedule.

Swapnodal, a theatre group formed in 2001, has already earned credentials for its play Tringsho Shatabdi (The 30th Century) and Swadhinota Sangram (Liberation War). The group staged its first ever mime production Jadur Pradeep (Magic Lamp) based on Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, one of the tales from The Arabian Nights.

Composed and directed by Zahid Repon, Jadur Pradeep may present rusty gags but the story, being well known, follows the same pattern with eventual expected outcome. The show nevertheless attracted the enthusiastic audiences ready to react at the slightest opportunity.

The story presents young Aladdin who falls in love with the beautiful princess, but cannot marry her as he is just a peasant. Being forced into a booby-trapped magic cave by the evil wizard in the disguise of his uncle, Aladdin finds a magic lamp and discovers that it contains a genie that will obey the orders of the person possessing the lamp. With the aid of the genie, Aladdin becomes rich and powerful and marries the princess. The evil wizard returns and ultimately gets hold of the lamp by tricking Aladdin's wife, who is unaware of the lamp's importance. Aladdin however wins out in the end.

Backed by colourful and sparkling costumes, amusing music and good spectacle of wizardry performed by Aladdin and the Genie, the show was very entertaining. But a too long script can be boring in a mime show. With a little more thought and attention to details, the show could have sparkled and been sensational instead of just good.