Aladdin with a twist

by June 16, 2008 Society

Children will retell the original Chinese folktale in the form of a hilarious pantomime.

The students of Bangalore School of Speech and Drama (BSSD) will be performing Aladdin at Chowdiah Memorial Hall on 27 and 28 June 2008 at 7:00 PM.

Aladdin screens at Chowdiah Memorial Hall on 27 and 28 June at 7:00 PM. Tickets: Rs.250, Rs. 200 and Rs.150. Contact: 9845071197 or 9886360004.

What makes this production unique is that it is not the familiar Disney version, rather a retelling of the original Chinese folktale in the form of a hilarious pantomime. Thrown in for good measure is some foot-tapping music and dance. You just might be enthralled by the power-packed performances of the children aged 5-19 years.

The play is directed by Dr Zulfia Shaikh who is the director and founder of BSSD. Shaikh has the distinction of being a double graduate with distinction in Effective Communication and Drama. She has also been endowed with the honour of receiving an "Exhibition Award" in communication from Trinity College.

BSSD was established in June 2001 to train students in the art and science of communication and theatre. BSSD is the first in Bangalore to train children in art and science of speech and drama. It is affiliated with the Trinity College of Speech and Drama (London). More information about the school is available at bssd.co.in.

Every year, for the past 7 years, the school has staged a play. Children in this play are from various schools (NPS, Greenwood High, Inventure Academy, Bishop Cottons, etc.) and are part of BSSD. They attend the speech and drama classes.

(The author works with the production team and is a parent volunteer.)

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