The second Dhaka International Theatre Fest-2015, organised by International Theatre Institute, Bangladesh in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) will begin from March 12 at three venues of BSA. The 10-day theatre fest -- from March 12 to 21-- features five international troupes alongside popular plays by a number of local troupes.

The festival was announced at a press conference at BSA Seminar Room yesterday. ITI president Ramendu Majumdar, thespian Nasiruddin Yousuff, festival director Debobrata Devnath, festival committee members Selim SH Chowdhury and Dr. Irin Parveen Lopa were present at the press meet among others.

Finance Minister AMA Muhit will inaugurate the festival tomorrow at 7pm at the Nandan Mancha of BSA in the presence of distinguished guests including Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor. 

"The first edition was held in 2011 and our intention was to establish it as a biannual theatre festival but due to unavoidable circumstances it was not held in 2013. Nevertheless we hope that it will now continue as a biannual festival," said Ramendu Majumdar.

Plays which were brought to stage in the years 2013 and 2014 will only be staged at the festival. In addition, the fest features dance drama alongside workshops and dialogues on theatre. Also a meet the director session will be held every day.

Two opera troupes from China will stage three dance dramas at the festival, while Srishti Cultural Centre will stage their popular production "Badi Bandar Roopkotha". Moreover, two theatre troupes from India are also participating in the festival.