Spardha: Independent Theatre Collective recently presented “Chakriprarthi” (The Applicant), a Bengali version of Harold Pinter’s renowned short play “The Applicant”, at Spardha Atelier in Gulshan on January 30. The second performance, which commenced at 8:30 pm, captivated an attentive and involved audience.
Originally penned in 1959, Pinter’s “The Applicant” delves into the dehumanizing structures of contemporary capitalist systems within the context of a job interview. The adaptation sheds light on how institutional authority often diminishes individuals to mere objects of regulation under the guise of discipline and professionalism.
Under the direction of Shanaj Parvin Jonaki, the production maintained Pinter’s simplistic style and dark wit while anchoring the storyline in present-day professional settings. The ensemble cast—comprising Riasat Salekin Rittwik, Sifat Nowrin Bonni, Tanvir Ahmed, and Sadia Marium Rupa—delivered controlled and nuanced performances, effectively conveying the play’s inherent tension.
The technical aspects were deliberately kept to a minimum. The set design and props were handled collaboratively by the actors, with music direction by Sifat Sami used sparingly. By employing sound judiciously, silence emerged as a crucial dramatic tool, heightening the play’s eerie ambiance.
