Theatre shows resume at Shilpakala Academy

Theatre shows resumed at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy after a long hiatus on Friday. Theatre troupe Aranyak Natya Dal staged Kohe Facebook at Experimental Theatre Hall and Dhaka Theatre staged Ekti Loukik Athoba Aloukik Steamer at National Theatre Hall of the BSA. Earlier, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy closed its venues to visitors due to the Covid-19 crisis.

The BSA started taking bookings for three venues — National Theatre Hall, Experimental Theatre Hall and Studio Theatre Hall — from September 1. The venues are operating at half capacity.

Theatre lovers welcomed the resumption of theatre shows at the BSA. Shila Jahan, a university student, came to watch Kohe Facebook. ‘I am an avid theatregoer. I am happy because theatre shows have resumed at the BSA. Today I am here to watch Kohe Facebook. I wish to enjoy every moment of the play as it is based on Facebook,’ she said.

Kohe Facebook, written and directed by Mamunur Rashid, is the troupe’s 62nd production. The troupe sold 90 tickets before the play began at 7:15 pm. Dhaka Theatre staged the sixth show of Ekti Loukik Othoba Oloukik Ishtimar.

Ziaul Hasan, a fan of Dhaka Theatre, said that he is happy because his favourite theatre troupe has returned to stage after Covid break. ‘I regularly watch plays of Dhaka Theatre. I am happy because outdoor programmes have resumed again after a long hiatus,’ he said.

Ekti Loukik Athoba Aloukik Ishtimar is penned by Anan Zaman and directed by Shahiduzzaman Selim. The troupe sold 55 tickets before the play began at 7:15 pm.