Dhaka: Theatre troupe Swapnadal will stage ‘Spartacus’ on Thursday at 7:00pm at 2nd Dhaka International Theatre Fest, organised by International Theatre Institute (ITI) Bangladesh Centre and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) at Studio Theatre of BSA.

Based on Howard Fast’s acclaimed novel, the play is written by Badal Sircar. Swapnadal chief Zahid Repon has re-formed and directed the play.

'Spartacus' occupies a significant part in the world history possesing a unique story of protest as Roman slaves revolt against the injustice, and oppression of the Roman Empire. The revolt, from 74 to 71 BC, was led by slave leader Spartacus, had blocked the mighty armies of the Roman Empire.

Roman army raided repeatedly on the rebels but fail all the time, until Spartacus was defeated, and killed brutally in the war field. As many as 6,472 of his associates were crucified on either side of the streets in Rome.

Before the death, one of the slaves cried out, ‘I'll return again, again in hundreds and thousands...’

Swapnadal’s ‘Spartacus’ is based on the mentioned incident.

Indeed, the struggle for independence, freedom, and dignity can never be silenced. It returns again and again by gaining more energy until the victory comes. Thus, ‘Spartacus’ is considered as the ultimate inspiration for all the revolution-struggle of future world.

However, ‘Spartacus’ was written as a play by Badal Sircar, through three separate translations and necessary editing and improvisation.

Through innovative application of ‘Bangla Theatre Style’, Spartacus has been represented on stage.

Swapnadal believes that in the present time when globalisation and market economy, a disguised form of colonialism, is trying to diminish the small nation-state and their culture, and when all motivations for equality are about to die, ‘Spartacus’ is undoubtedly carrying a special importance on the stage.

The troupe has dedicated the production to the victims of garment factories in Bangladesh including the victims of ‘Savar-Tragedy’ in 2013.

Recently, ‘Spartacus’ was staged on the opening day (24 January 2015) of 11-day long ‘2nd Bangla Theatre Festival-2015’ in India (Kamarhati Nazrul Mancha Belghoria in Kolkata). The festival was organised by ‘Prachyo’ (Kolkata) and dedicated to theatre legend Sambhu Mitra.