Theatre troupe Padatik Natya Sangsad is set to premiere its new production “Alibaba Ebong Chollis Chor” (Alibaba and the Forty Thieves), inspired by the classic tale from Arabian Nights. The inaugural show will be staged at the Experimental Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy today.

“Alibaba Ebong Chollis Chor” marks Padatik’s 45th theatrical production. The play has been scripted by Umme Hani, while Sudip Chakraborty has designed the stage and directed the production.

The cast features Shariful Islam Safi, Megha Ghosh, Syeda Shamchi Ara Sayeka, Ziaul Haque, Jinia Azad, Shakhawat Hossain Shimul, Hasina Akhter Nipa, Javed Patawari, Ibrahim Khalil, Nur-e-Alam Suman, among others.

The creative team includes Ahmed Raufur Rahim (direction assistance and lighting design), Rudra Sawjal Kabya and Raisa Hasin (music design), and Azizul Himel (song training). Syeda Shamsi Ara has choreographed the dance sequences, while Munira Mahjabin Mimo has designed the costumes. Props and decoration design have been done by Syeda Shamsi Ara and Umme Hani.

Story Summary: Emperor Shahriar, betrayed by his first wife, turns into a tyrant who marries a new woman each day and kills her at dawn unless she keeps him awake with stories. When only the vizier Uzid’s daughters remain, the elder, Scheherazade, volunteers to marry him. Using her intelligence and storytelling, she keeps the emperor captivated for a thousand nights, gradually softening his heart and leading him to repent.

One of her tales is “Alibaba and the Forty Thieves.” In it, a poor woodcutter, Alibaba, discovers a secret treasure hidden by robbers. His greedy brother Kasim is caught and killed when he tries to steal more. The robbers then plot to kill Alibaba, but his clever servant, Morgiana, foils their plan.

There will be another show of “Alibaba Ebong Challis Chor” tomorrow on the same venue.