Swarabritta, which is basically a recitation troupe, staged the Bangla version of Dürrenmatt's play, translated by Mamun Haq. The play was titled Tin Padarthabigyani.

Director Rabi Shankar Moitree could not successfully present the inherent menace of the ongoing scientific endeavours of the mid-twentieth century. In fact, playwright Dürrenmatt's interpretation of the time: the world of the physicists is truly the world of the madhouse, a world in which we cannot find a firm resting place.

And because of the lukewarm handling of the theme of the post-modern drama directed by Moitree, Tin Padarthabigyani seemed to be mere story of murder by the homicidal maniacs who have retired from the world to avoid taking responsibility for their actions.

As a result the main theme of the play The Three Physicists, which asserts that the scientific innovation of the 1950s and 1960s was largely seen in the mass destructive power of the atomic and hydrogen bombs, could not be properly presented. Science seemed to have outstripped man's ability to utilise it for the betterment of humanity. The Cold War, the arms race, and policies of mutually assured destruction suggested that science was in fact being easily used for nefarious ends. Man could not be trusted with the knowledge that physicists had garnered.

The unnecessary and abrupt movements of the artistes on the centre stage made the play even more difficult to comprehend. In fact, the artistes with exception of Sangeeta Chowdhury and Nusrat Sharmin Rikta need to perform with confidence.

Light designer Pijush Shikdar's scope to prove his mettle was limited as the hall had no 'Front of House (FOH)' or bars to hang the lights properly. Set design could be improved.

Swarabritta staged Tin Padarthabigyani on November 10 as part of the Swiss Festival. The Daily Star was the media partner of the festival.