The Bear: A joke in one act MUNASIR KAMAL “I like you... I’m almost in love with you!” cries Smirnov frantically as Mrs. Popov points a gun at him. Mrs. Popov can no longer kill the desperate giant at her feet not only because she too has fallen in love with him, but simply because she does not know how to use a gun. Thus Anton Chekhov’s ‘ The Bear’ ends with the conflicting couple being united, but one can clearly see that this was not always the case. Chekhov’s play is fun to read, but was even more fun to watch in the delightful performance put up by members of the English Department Drama Society (EDDS) at the RC Majumder Arts Auditorium recently. The cast comprised of carefully selected actors resembling exactly Chekhov’s account of Mrs. Popov as ‘a small woman with dimples’, and Grigory Smirnov as a large, angry and loud gentleman after whom the play is titled, ‘The Bear’. The drama was jointly directed by Ms. Tabmina Ahmed and her assistants Theotonius Gomes and Sabreena Ahmed. The play began with a realistic display of tears by Mrs. Popov, brilliantly acted by Fatima Tuz Zahra, mourning her deceased husband who passed away seven months ago. She dramatically vows never to step outside her house, or allow visitors inside, or shed her mourning clothes till the day of her death. She is interrupted at times by the witty remarks of her footman Luka, performed by Sharif Waheed Sadique. Soon there is a rude banging on the door and the hot-tempered Smirnov, played by Md. Moniruzzaman Akhand, enters the stage accompanied by a blast of music. When Luka refuses to let him see the mistress of the house, he chases the butler all around the auditorium, through the audience, finally ending up in front of the widow. Smirnov is not just a visitor to the house — he is a creditor. The late Mr. Popov owed him money, which he has come to exact from his widow. The conflict begins when Mrs. Popov refuses to repay the sum that day, and Smimov forcefully claims that he needs the money instantly. While arguing and insulting one another, the two make good use of the available stage space — darting about in their rage and even breaks furniture! Moniruzzaman has successfully brought out the brute in Smimov, while Zahra sheds crocodile tears for a husband she never really loved. Sadique adds humour to the scene with his frequent fainting fits. Finally, it is decided that the dispute may be settled through a gun-fight. But while Mrs. Popov has gone to fetch the guns, Smirnov confesses that he has begun to admire her fiery spirit and would like to resolve their quarrel without violence. The marvelously acted radical transformation of a furious bear to a “mouse in a trap” enthralled the audience. Smirnov’s new emotions are portrayed through music and dance, which were not in the original script, but would have made Chekhov proud. Ricky Martin’s Living La Vida Loca is performed by Monir quite ‘out-dancing ’ Ricky! Another novel aspect introduced by EDDS was the addition of a few amusing dialogues in Bangla to make the play more entertaining and acceptable to a Bangladeshi audience. ‘The Bear’ was a perfect play to perform in the context of present day Bangladesh, where the battle of the sexes is an emerging issue. Moniruzzaman skillfully portrays, through the character of Smirnov, how difficult it is to express one’s love, especially if the one you are expressing it to is pointing a gun at you! Moniruzzaman stole the hearts of the audience ably supported by the grieving-mischievous widow Fatima Tuz Zahra and the inimitable butler — Waheed Sadique. EDDS must certainly be congratulated for an excellent production. --

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