The Covid emergency has put paid to live audiences for this year’s season of Bangla drama normally staged at Rich Mix and other East End venues.

East London Advertiser: 18th annual Bangla drama fest goes online. Picture: LBTH18th annual Bangla drama fest goes online. Picture: LBTH (Image: LBTH)

The 18th Bengali theatre festival from November 12 to 21 is switching to online performances instead, with pre-recorded plays and readings—but with live, interactive sessions.

The programme includes a Bangla adaptation of Hemingway’s classic The Old Man and the Sea from Theatre Sylhet.

The festival covers themes from family dynamics and the strength of the human spirit to socially-aware tales of class struggle, prejudice and loss due to Covid-19, with 10 plays from east London, West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Fringe events include a digital cookalong, film screening, youth writing project and online photo exhibition. Trioarts theatre company close the festival with ‘Goodbye Friend’, a poignant tale of how a pandemic forces a young girl to come of age.

Listings are on Tower Hamlets Council’s website.