The creative energy of Dhaka’s theatre scene is set to make its mark on the Birmingham stage as The Chronicle of Two Worlds, a contemporary reinterpretation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, premieres in the UK city on October 6.

Written and directed by Dr Shahman Moishan, Chairman of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Dhaka, the production brings together Bangladeshi theatre perspectives, the experiences of diaspora life and contemporary theatrical techniques.

The premiere will take place at 6 pm at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham.

The production features Birmingham-based actors Aniruddha Chakraborty and Tarek Chowdhury, while Mokbul Chowdhury is handling the digital scenography and sound design.

At the heart of The Chronicle of Two Worlds are themes of memory, survival, displacement and identity. Drawing on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the play explores the journey of individuals between two worlds and the complexities of negotiating identity, belonging and memory in changing circumstances.

Rather than presenting Shakespeare’s classic tragedy in its traditional form, the production attempts to reinterpret its dramatic framework through contemporary experiences. The result is a theatrical work that seeks to connect a globally recognised literary classic with the realities of migration and diaspora life.

A filmmaker associated with the production said his involvement in theatre has allowed him to explore the intersection between filmmaking and stage performance.

Dr Shahman Moishan has already arrived in Birmingham, and the production team is now busy with final rehearsals and other preparations ahead of the premiere.

The production also reflects an emerging cultural dialogue between artists working in Bangladesh and those living in the diaspora. By combining theatre practitioners’ experiences from Dhaka with the creative environment of Birmingham, the team hopes to create a distinctive stage language that speaks to audiences across cultural boundaries.

The organisers expect the production to offer Birmingham audiences a fresh theatrical experience while showcasing the evolving nature of contemporary Bangladeshi theatre.

With Shakespeare’s Hamlet serving as its creative point of departure, The Chronicle of Two Worlds ultimately turns its attention to questions that remain relevant far beyond Shakespeare’s original setting—where one belongs, what one carries from the past and how people negotiate their identities between different worlds.

The play will be staged at 6 pm on October 6 at MAC (Midlands Arts Centre), Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham.