Sunday 04 August 2019

On 7 August 2019, the British Council Cultural Centre in partnership with the Komola Collective brings to Bangladesh the theatre production Aleya Twist, supported by English and Digital for Girls’ Education (EDGE) Clubs of Tangail & BRAC.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens is hailed as the first English novel that examined society’s mistreatment of its orphans and underprivileged children.

The British Council Cultural Centre arranges collaborative cultural events throughout the year to attract its wide range of customers. It also invites a different group of artists to perform in front of a different group of audiences.

The British Council in collaboration with Komola Collective has embarked upon a project to explore this celebrated English novel set in the context of present-day Bangladesh. The characters of this retelling emerge in a setting nearly two hundred years after and many thousands of miles away from the original story. However, the difference in time and place have not eased the harsh reality that the original Oliver had to face.

This project is adapted by Leesa Gazi and will be directed by Filiz Ozcan. Both of them are the Joint Artistic Director of Komola Collective. The entire cast and crew have been recruited from local theatre groups and the young actors are recruited through our EDGE clubs in Tangail. The whole team will be working in Madhupur, Tangail for rehearsal and their first show.

This three-week project will end with three theatre shows including multiple shows in Dhaka including a show on 07 August 2019 at the Experimental Hall of Shilpakala Academy. The theatre will be held at 07.00 p.m. and will be open for all.

The British Council invites all to attend the theatre show Aleya Twist and enjoy a new showcase of the famous Oliver Twist.

Notes to Editor

For further information please contact:

Arshia Aziz, Director Marketing, British Council Bangladesh

Email: Arshia.aziz@bd.britishcouncil.org

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 65 million people directly and 731 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. For further information, please visit  www.britishcouncil.org