‘Marx in Soho’ to stage five shows over three days

The play "Marx in Soho" is making its return to the stage with five performances. This collaborative production by theatre groups BotTola and Jatrik will be staged over three consecutive days in Dhaka. 

The shows will take place at the Neelima Ibrahim Auditorium of the Bangladesh Mohila Samity. On November 28, there will be a single performance at 7pm, while on November 29 and 30, there will be two performances each day at 4:30pm and 7:30pm.

The play highlights various aspects of Karl Marx's life and ideology. Although over 150 years have passed since Marx's death, his ideas remain relevant. Marx was exiled from his birthplace, Soho.

American historian and playwright Howard Zinn presents Karl Marx as both a philosopher and a person, seamlessly intertwining his ideas with his humanity. This thoughtful depiction is what gives the play its distinctive appeal.

Howard Zinn's celebrated play "Marx in Soho" has been brought to life in Bengali through the translation of Javed Hussen and the direction of Naila Azad. The production made its debut on stage in October 2021.

The director shared with the local media that Karl Marx's influence on history and politics remains significant, extending from the 19th century to the present day.

In "Marx in Soho," Howard Zinn offers a portrayal of Marx that is both profoundly human and visionary, with moments of love and sorrow. Yet, the play's true focus lies not on Marx as a person but on the enduring relevance of his ideas and critiques.

Through this production, Zinn's intention to emphasise the significance of Marx's insights, even after 150 years, is brought to life. 

The staging was made possible through the collaboration of Jatrik and BotTola, united in their mission to present Zinn's vision of a compassionate Marx and his philosophies to a wider audience—a goal that remains at the heart of their effort.

The play features performances by Humayun Azam Rewaz and Umme Habiba. Naila Azad is in charge of the music, set, and scene design, while also collaborating with Umme Habiba on choreography.The application of music is overseen by Eva Afroze Khan, and Tahmina Sultana Mou is responsible for costume design. 

Read more

Street theatre ‘Lal Majlum’ revisits historic uprisings

Advance tickets for the production can be purchased through BotTola's website, with students eligible for a 50% discount on specific ticket categories.