Lucknow: Fourth-semester students of Bhartendu Natya Akademi, Lucknow presented the play “Island of Dreams”, directed by Shubdeep Raha, at Sant Gadge Auditorium. The production is inspired by William Shakespeare’s classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and explores a world where rulers and lovers, power and rebellion, coexist.
The play portrays how lovers break free from invisible bonds to create their own “island of dreams.” It delves into the consequences of love liberated from social constraints, desire unchained, and the subtle intervention of magic. Scenes alternate between dreamlike imagination and harsh realities, reflecting the fragility of identity, control, and certainty in society. The narrative emphasizes the delicate interplay of control, freedom, love, and human emotions, all infused with elements of humor.
Director Shubdeep Raha employed the “devising process” to great effect, allowing students to contribute creatively to set design, props, costumes, and stage conceptualization. Govind Singh Yadav designed the lighting, Bhaskar Jyoti Konwar composed the music, and Munna Patel choreographed the dance sequences, all of which collectively brought a liberating dynamism to the performance.
The production received acclaim for its inventive storytelling, visual imagination, and sensitive exploration of Shakespearean themes, highlighting the students’ deep understanding of human emotions and theatrical craft.
