Actomania to stage ‘Hamlet Machine’ today

Actomania is going to bring the new play ‘Hamlet Machine’ onto the stage on Wednesday. One of the world’s most popular postmodern plays ‘Hamlet Machine’ will be staged by Ekushey Medalist renowned Bangladeshi theatre personality Sara Zaker.

Based on intersexuality, we see William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia in this play by famous German playwright Heiner Müller. Along with presenting images of contemporary war-torn Europe, oppression of women, commercial civilization, and other social upheavals, this play is made with a combination of characters’ expressions, underlying combustion and complex symbols.

This famous play has been translated by the renowned Professor late Kabir Chowdhury, said a press release.

Heiner Müller’s postmodern play ‘Hamlet Machine’ is directed by Nowrin Sazzad, currently a lecturer at the Theater and Media Studies Department of Tejgaon College and a former student of the Theater and Performance Studies Department of Dhaka University.

About the play, she said, “This is probably Muller’s most difficult play. Complex symbols, strange similes, space-time compilation and the distinct presence of these multidimensional themes break the time structure of this play and make it contemporary. The drama is actually very relevant in the context of the current times, with all these social unrest, personal frustrations, and inter-relational tensions. Bringing the “Hamlet Machine” on stage really takes courage. The members of Actomania have braved this and I feel privileged to be a fellow traveller on this adventure. Keeping the essence of the original manuscript unchanged, we have tried our best to give a simple presentation of this seemingly incomprehensible drama. I hope the audience will not be disappointed.”

Actomania started rehearsing the play on October 15, 2022. Sayem Sezan, Aamir Hamza Akash, Talha Zubaer, Sagar Barua, Joyabrata Biswas, Parisha Mehzabin, Maisha Kashpia Adri, Sanjida Safrin, Sumaiya Jhara, Rasel Mahmud, MHS Labon, Gazi Riyad Hossain, Tanzid Pritom will play different roles.

Talha Zubaer, one of the members of Actomania said that on January 11, 2023, the group will make its debut on the Dhaka stage by staging Hamletmachine followed by a Technical show on 10th January 2023 and opening show on Wednesday at the Studio Theater Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.