For the first time in the theatre scene in Dhaka, the audience got to watch an incredible production by differently-abled people on March 29 at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). The British Council Bangladesh, in association with Graeae Theatre Company, UK and Dhaka Theatre, Bangladesh brought Shakespeare on stage through theatrical piece "A Different Romeo and Juliet".

The play, with a cast of the differently-abled, is a reinterpretation of Shakespeare's classic tragedy "Romeo and Juliet". The play has been produced as part of the global programme 'Shakespeare Lives' which marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death.

The production has been directed by Graeae Theatre's artistic director Jenny Sealey with assistance from Dhaka Theatre's Nasiruddin Yousuff.

"A Different Romeo and Juliet", as the name suggests, is different from other theatre productions which the Dhaka audience is familiar with. The play was presented with a Bangladeshi-- to be precise, a Dhakaiya makeover--that completely changed the setting of the original play retaining only the names of a number of characters.    

Starting off with the jubilant scene of a cricket match between arch-rivals Khan Eleven and Chowdhury Eleven at Dhupkhola Field in Old Dhaka, the play instantly takes the audience into the plot as Romeo and Juliet come across each other at a traditional Dhakaiya wedding scene. The actors sing, dance and flip on stage overcoming their physical limitations, and urging the audience to join in their celebration of life.

The play is designed to be comprehensible for deaf people as well with each character having a shadow copy articulating the action on stage in sign language.  

The well-rounded production, encircling the archetypal young lovers Romeo and Juliet, casts Rabbi Mia and Tayfur Rahman Roman (sign language) as the male lead, while Shakila Jafar and Jannatul Ferdous Srity (sign language) portray their women counterparts.

The cast also includes Md. Saddam Hossain, Afsaruddin Riyad, Md. Shariful Islam, Md. Mostafizur Rahman Sajal, Md. Murshed Miah, Mohammed Monir Hossain Sikder, Parveen Akter, Md. Sharif Hasan Chowdhury, Mohua Akter Mukta and Nur Islam Ripon.

The live music of Md. Shaheb Ali, Nargis Parvin, Baul Abdul Kafi and Sri Shantosh Chandra Barman added a bit more charm to the play.

Eminent artist Dhali Al Mamun designed the set for the play, while Nasirul Haq Khokon and Shimul Yousuff designed the light and music respectively.

As the show ended the audience rewarded the actors and crew with a standing ovation. Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor and BSA director general Liaquat Ali Lucky came up on stage with the cast and crew to add a few words on the production.   

Cultural Affairs Minister expressed his wish that if age were on his side, he would have portrayed Romeo alongside this Juliet.

The British Council launched the project in 2013 with a focus on bringing the people with disabilities to the light and showcasing their acting prowess to help pave the way for breaking social stereotypes.