IUB brings Ibsen classic to life with contemporary adaptation ‘Helen’

The adaptation highlights psychological conflict and personal freedom, the university says

Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) has staged “Helen”, a contemporary adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s acclaimed play “Hedda Gabler”.

The production was performed by students of the Department of English and Modern Languages (DEML) at the university auditorium on Thursday, according to a media statement.

The play was directed by Ahmed Ahsanuzzaman, professor of English Literature at IUB and a noted Ibsen scholar.

Set in the context of modern Bangladesh, Helen explores a woman’s psychological conflict, the pressures of social norms, and the struggle for personal freedom, the statement said.

Themes of identity, power, desire, and their collision with social realities form the core of the narrative, it added.

Norwegian Ambassador Håkon Harald Guldbrandsen attended the performance, alongside IUB Board of Trustees Chairman Didar A Husain, Vice-Chancellor Prof M Tamim and Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Daniel W Lund.

The adaptation team included Prof Ahsanuzzaman, Kanija Chowdhury, Kazi Raidah Afia Nusaiba, and Nurjahan Oishee.

The cast featured Arnab Sarker, Farzana Faiza, M Rehneem Sajid Rohan, Nurjahan Oishee, Sadia Sultana, Srijon Shaikat, Syeda S Tahrin, and Yashna Zarine.

Reefat Munmun served as dance director, with choreography by Mahbuba Jahan Ashrafi.

Set and props were designed by Anika Jahan Ayshi, while stage management was led by Indira Barua, Md Shafwane Islam, Tahsin Ara Samanta, and Tashriha Abdullah.

Make-up was coordinated by Aiman Shahla, Jafna Binte Sakhawat, and Tahsin Ara Samanta; costume design was by Sadia Sultana and Nusrat Islam Isha.

Publication was handled by Kanija Chowdhury and Raidah Jahin. Lyrics and music were composed by Mehedi Hasan Akash, and lighting and management were overseen by Sowharda Paul.