Dive into the captivating world of literature, and you'll find yourself effortlessly acquainted with iconic figures like Julius Caesar, Othello, Romeo, Juliet, Antony, Cleopatra, Macbeth, Desdemona, and Shylock.
These timeless characters have not just lingered in the realm of imagination; they've become cherished companions, enriching our lives with their enduring presence. So, whether you're a literary enthusiast or just beginning your literary journey, these characters will warmly embrace you, leaving an indelible mark on your soul.
But can you guess all these characters from the master epics of this legendary writer, William Shakespeare, to come on stage together at once??
Hold on and take a deep breath. All the characters from the works of the Bard of Avon are coming alive on a stage in Muscat, as he aptly said, “All the world's a stage, and men and women are merely players," a stark reality of life that still stares at generations after generations.
A mega-drama titled 'Itihasam', translated as 'The Legend', is all set to traverse the spectators to a different world altogether, as nearly forty-five actors supported by over fifty technicians, organisers and artists have been engaged for more than eight months in the making of this epic work to ensure an unmatchable stage experience is given to the audience.
These male and female artistes have let many of their joyous moments and personal priorities in their lives go in the last eight months, keeping their mind, soul, and body dedicated to the acclaimed writer, and have been grooving with the old Anglo-Saxon music, costumes, and stages every day.
Language is no barrier in any epic theatrical presentation wherein the message is conveyed with many non-verbal cues and the grandeur of the entire production transcends cultures and races, overwhelming the audience; hence, although the play will be in Malayalam, it will also have subtitles in English and Arabic. The 2-hour play is set to be one of the biggest productions in recent times, attracting nearly 2,000 people for the two shows on November 3rd and 4th at the Oman Theatre Society at 6.30 p.m.
“Crafting the drama Ithihasam was an epic journey filled with immense struggle. Our greatest challenge was managing the time of our dedicated working professional actors, who rehearsed tirelessly for six months. Each character was born from the depths of their voice and appearance, a testament to their commitment,” said Rajesh Balakrishnan, the director of the play.
In one way, the artistes behind the play presented by International Organisation Creative Events and Bhavalaya Art and Cultural Foundation bet that the arid desert lands of Oman is playing host to an Elizabethan world, transporting the audience to a time of quills and candlelight, of passions and tragic flaws.
Speaking to the Observer, Dr J Retnakumar, President and Founder of Bhavalaya Art and Culture said, “The inspiration to bring Shakespearean theatre to Oman was born from a deep desire to infuse our culture with the timeless brilliance of the Bard. It was a journey marked by relentless struggle, assembling a vast cast and crew dedicated to the cause. We faced the monumental task of recreating the old English world on stage, and we were fortunate to have special stage craft experts join us from India, contributing their expertise to our vision,” he said, adding that, “Ithihasam is our labour of love, a testament to the power of collaboration and the unwavering belief in the transformative magic of theatre."
As the rehearsal camps became all the more active and enlivening through the night, the burden of the characters and a flawless presentation have been shared by one and all and as the night unfurled with a cacophony of sound from the light-men, script supervisor, assistants, makeup artists, the resonance of Shakespeare's timeless Ophelia wept, Hamlet torn apart and Desdemona lost in love making those special invitees to the camp weep along.
As the Bard of Avon said “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”, ‘Itihasam’ stage play will be a befitting tribute to one of the greatest English writers who enriched during his lifetime that spanned nearly 52 years from 1564 to 1616 from the land of the Sultan.
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