A popular drama season celebrating Bengali theatre in East London has attracted a crop of talented writers to stage a series of original works as well as providing new takes on existing material.

Organised by Tower Hamlets Council’s Arts and Event team, A Season of Bangla Drama, is an annual event now in its eighth year showcasing new writing and the work of local drama groups in the borough chronicling the Bengali diaspora. Eight works have been selected to premiere at the festival.

The Season of Bangla Drama includes plays tackling a wide range of issues from the plight of restaurant workers in the UK to women’s’ rights and social inequality but with a fresh, funny and light-hearted approach.

Friday 26 and Saturday 27 November: Street Seduction written by Hussain Ismail - Street Seduction tells the story of a tough streetwise young man and the battle for his soul between his girl-next-door, a seductive beauty and an avenging fury. Only his estranged father’s love can redeem him and give him peace. (In English).

Saturday 27 November: The Legend of the Black Lotus Adapted by Rez Kabir - Come along with two siblings sent on a epic journey of danger and discovery to find the legendary Black Lotus. To a world beyond their dreams and imagination, encounter magical beasts, strange monsters of illusion and trickery. Will they overcome their challenge to save their family from the evil clutches of their uncle. An interactive story to amuse, enchant and excite the senses. Great family fun! Whitechapel Idea Store

Sunday 28: Bashon (The Salver) written by Selim Al-Din - Ashek is a poor farmer from a formerly wealthy family who, in their zenith, were mighty landowners of the village. Now reduced to poverty, his one treasured possession and heirloom from more prosperous times is the salver, the great dish which still symbolises the lost status of aristocracy. Ashek is thinking of selling the Salver, the prospective buyer of the salver is the village’s new landowner, Ajajil, who has coveted this treasure for some time. Ashek’s daughter asks Ashek not to sell the dish as it is the only link to their glorious past. The drama unfolds to confront issues of retribution and exposes the darker sides of human nature, but with flashes of humour and insight.

Address:

The Brady Arts Centre in Hanbury Street, Whitechapel

192-196 Hanbury St
City of London E1 5HU
020 7364 7900