::: Star Campus :::

Campus Culture

“SCAPIN”- annual production of NSUCDC

Rumana Malik Munmun

The moment I entered the green room I was blasted away by the full volume of music. Leandre(Kamran), Jeronte(Jubair), Scapin(Romel) were warming themselves up. Octave(Naieem) was waiting for Zebinette's(Naima) make-up to complete. Sylvestre(Boby) was sometimes sitting with Nerine(Nira)and sometimes with Hyachinth(Shukrana/Azrina) and Argente(Zayed) was setting his moustache. This place was full of life and mirth. On the other side, the director was sitting isolated and watching the assistant directors who were checking out lights with the actors. Some of the club members were worried would the show go on smoothly?

The actors, directors and club presidents believed in their efforts and they were so motivated that there was no room for fear or error. Such confidence actually made the show a great success. The audience burst into laughter and applause as they watched the restless Scapin and Sylvestre along with the two callous fathers.

Scapin (1671) is a hilarious farce set in Italy about a scheming servant who brilliantly tricks two fathers out of money as their respective sons need to support their lovers.

Scapin is a world famous comedy play, written by eminent playwright Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known by his pseudonym Moliere. NSU Cine & Drama Club (NSUCDC )members have translated this play by themselves. They made a lot of changes in dialogues, giving the play a flavour of Bangladesh and NSU culture. The Club Advisor, Professor Abdus Selim and Vice Chancellor of NSU, Dr. Hafiz G.A. Siddiqi appreciated the drama. Dr.Siddiqi said, “Despite study pressure, the students have managed to memorise the script and perform it flawlessly. I had the opportunity to watch all the past shows and I am happy to see that it is improving every time.”

Dr. Inamul Huq, renowned drama personality highly appreciated the performance of the young talents of NSU. The director, Dr. Ishrafil Shahin thanked the university authorities for all the support provided by them to stage the drama. He also proposed the private universities to start a Dance, Drama and Music Department, as it will bring out more talents. He asked to stage these annual dramas in parallel to the professional theatre group shows. This would enhance the club's nurturing of talents.

One of the audiences suggested that they should stage dramas with more female characters. But unfortunately the female members do not usually get permission to attend rehearsal in the evening. If NSU can manage an alternative rehearsal hour then we can hope to see a lot more female prominent performers.

The President of NSUCDC, Ali Hasan Masum expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards NSU and Dhaka University Music & Drama Department for their support in props, costume and set designing.

Scapin was the 18th production. 'Bidogdho Romonikul' & 'The Would-be Gentleman'(Moliere), 'The Taming of the Shrew','Merchant of Venice'(William Shakespeare), 'Tasher Desh'(Rabindranath Tagore), 'The Mousetrap'(Agatha Christie) were the annual production and in-houses included 'The Dead Peacock', 'Dondo', 'Holdi Gaon'71', 'To-Let', 'Megh', 'Fassh' etc.

NSUCDC every year organises drama workshops, which are conducted by well known drama personalities of Bangladesh and teachers of Drama Department of Dhaka University.

“Creating a Culture of Practicing True Artistry”- is the goal of NSUCDC. We would like to wish this club move according to its goal and can reach the zenith of success.