Review

A sequence from the play Pejgi.

Pejgi is an adapted version of 17th century French comedy playwright J B P Moliere's play Le Medicine Malgre Lui.

Usually Moliere's plays are full of wit. In the play Le Medicine Malgre Lui Moliere does a satire on the hypocritical and lying tendency of human beings through his witty dialogues. However, during adaptation, Apu Anam has adapted it as a 'comedy of humour'.

Like Le Medicine Malgre Lui, a Hakim (doctor) is the protagonist of Pejgi.

The Hakim, a hypocrite, goes out to cure the daughter of a rich man. Soon after this, he flirts with the rich man's daughter as well as another lady of that house. Finally, the Hakim takes a bribe from the girl's beloved and helps the couple to elope.

Kamruzzaman Tupa as a director is highly influenced by the European drama trend. The gesture, dialogue delivery and the body language of his players are like that of European comedy trend. Some of his compositions were enjoyable.

As a set designer Apu Aman is very realistic. He has created a dummy yard of a house where all the events of the play take place.

Sagir Mostafa's light design is simple. In his composition he has repeated red colour to symbolise danger, passion and even humour which is repetitive. Apu Aman as the clown of the play was entertaining.

'Shilpakala Academy is providing sufficient patronage to theatre'---Ahmed Nazir
This is the first time that the popular theatrical groups of Dhaka are staging plays on the newly built Experimental Theatre Stage at Shilpakala Academy.

The Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Ahmed Nazir says 'We give permission to any group or organisation which applies to stage plays on the Experimental Theatre Stage. BGTF did not apply for holding any festival during the opening of the hall. We permitted one organisation, which applied to hold a festival during that time. I do not think it was necessary to invite BGTF then. Whenever, they have shown interest we have given the permission.'

'In fact we have a written regulation for using the hall which is drawn-up by Shilpaka Academy Parishad, the helm of the regulatory committee. According to the regulation, any group, which intends to stage drama has to submit scripts of the play with the application and we have fixed the hall rent to Taka 4,000. These were the major two objections of BGTF. BGTF demanded that they would not submit the scripts as it goes against the annulment of the Dramatic Performance Act. I informed the State Minister for Cultural Affairs Selima Rahman, the chief of Shilpakala Academy Parishad, about their demand. After that we just told them to submit the scripts in any convenient time to enrich our library. Moreover, we have decreased Taka 1,000 for each show that means they will pay Taka 3,000 and an additional 15 percent vat for each show. However, the real cost for infrastructural and other facilities for each shift is around Taka 1,4000. That means that the government is giving a huge subsidy for each show. In fact, Shilpakala Academy is providing enough patronage for theatre,' says Nazir.

In reply to the question whether Shilpkala will interfere during the festival Nazir said, 'Normally we will not. But, if Shilpakala needs one or two days for any internal programme we can take over the hall for the time being. Otherwise, I think the festival should run smoothly.'

Schedules (June 21-26)
June 21
Play: Aranya Jonaranya
Playwright: Indu Saha
Director: Sanjib Chakraborty
Group: Nattyafouj

June 22
Play: Shoroshi
Playwright: Sarat Chandra Chattapadhyay
Director: Mostofa Heera
Group: Shanglap Group Theatre

June 23
Play: Shadhucharan
Playwright: Chandan Sen
Director: Ratan Saha
Group: Pratidwandi Nattyagoshthi

June 24
Play: Bhabaghurey
Playwright: Shantanu Biswas
Director: Tarun Kumar Basu
Group: Theatre (Topkhana)

June 25
Play: Hat Hadai
Playwright: Selim Al Deen
Director: Nasiruddin Yousuff
Group: Dhaka Theatre

June 26
Play: Ami Gadha Bolchhi
Playwright: Krishan Chandar
Director: Mujibur Rahman Dilu
Group: Dhaka Drama Natyadal

Venue: Experimental Theatre Stage at Shilpakala Academy; Time: 7 pm
Tickets are available at Sagar Publishers, Baily Road and at the venue before shows.
Prices: Tk. 30, Tk. 50 and Tk. 100.