The yolk of the sun is yet to start melting down the horizon over the Sundarbans - the dense mangrove forest that spreads from the southern shores of Bangladesh to the easternmost corner of West Bengal. A ship, an oil tanker, appears on the river, breaking through the wisps of fog. The ship is slowly sinking.
Thick, dark-gilded liquid seeps from the hulk, approaching
the Sundarbans like the jaws of a dragon to swallow it. It will claim everything, choking trees and animals alike in its sticky coils. Enraged by the dark tide, vengeful demons awake in the souls of the Sundarbans tigers, and they begin to feast on humans who venture into the forest. Who will save them?
This is the tale of Bonbibi, a girl left in the Sundarbans as a child and raised by the creatures of the forest. Trouble looms when the greed of humans threatens nature, and conflict between man and beast becomes inevitable. She must embark on a quest to restore the balance between the two, and save the forest.
Daughter of the Forest is an exciting and colourful adventure for all ages. Komola’s new family theatre piece creates the magical world of Bonbibi through puppetry, physical theatre and contemporary storytelling, with music by acclaimed British-Bengali band Khiyo.
Artwork by
Caitlin Abbott
Writer & Producer Leesa Gazi
Director Filiz Ozcan
Designer Caitlin Abbott
Sound Design Sohini Alam & Khiyo
Lighting Design Joe Price
Costume Design Bryony Tayler
Daughter of the Forest has been Supported by:
Tour Dates & Tickets:
May
26-27: Redbridge Drama
Centre
28: Mercury Theatre
29: Drum Theatre
June
5: Rich Mix
11: Dugdale Centre
28-30: Blue Elephant
July
15-16: New Wimbledon
Studio
October
29: Half Moon Theatre
November
5: Stratford Circus
This piece was previously researched and developed by Culturepot Global and Runi Khan and performed in 'A Season of Bangla Drama' Festival.
"I saw Daughter of the Forest surrounded by an audience of primary school pupils who were completely absorbed by the serious environmental tale at the heart of this piece and the highly inventive physical and visual storytelling style and evocative soundscape which the production employs throughout - it's a really effective small-scale touring production."
Daniel Buckroyd, Artistic Director Mercury Theatre