“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
– William Shakespeare
The Bhawanipur Education Society College successfully hosted the ninth edition of Theatre Fest 2026 from 31st May to 2nd June 2026, centred around the theme “Voices and Void – Where Voices Fade, the Void Remembers.” The theme explored the tension between expression and silence, encouraging participants to bring unheard stories, forgotten voices, and difficult conversations to the forefront through theatre.
The festival commenced with an inaugural ceremony, where the Rector and Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Dilip Shah, welcomed participants and spoke about the importance of creativity, teamwork, and artistic expression. What followed were three days filled with performances, experimentation, laughter, and thought-provoking storytelling.
The opening day featured Radio Play and Stage Play. Judged by Mr Jimmy Tangree, Head of 91.9 Friends FM and a veteran radio personality, Radio Play challenged participants to rely entirely on voice, sound effects, and imagination to tell their stories. Themes ranged from political satire and family conflict to thrillers and social commentary, proving how powerful storytelling can be, even without a visual stage.
Stage Play transformed Jubilee Hall into a showcase of dramatic talent. Participants explored themes such as patriotism, mental health, social issues, and personal struggles through compelling performances and strong character portrayals. The event was adjudicated by Ms Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Mr Suprovo Tagore, and Mr Palash Chaturvedi, all distinguished names in the theatre fraternity. Their feedback highlighted the participants’ attention to acting, direction, costumes, and overall presentation.
Day Two brought a different kind of challenge through Boardroom, Improv, and Street Play. Boardroom, judged by Ms Ritwika Chaudhuri, encouraged participants to transform ordinary spaces into immersive performance environments using little more than creativity and teamwork. Familiar corners of the college suddenly became interrogation rooms, symbolic journeys, and entirely new worlds.
Improv brought an energetic atmosphere to the festival. Under the guidance of judge Mr Aaron Targain, participants were required to create scenes based on random situations suggested by the audience. The result was a session full of spontaneity, quick thinking, and laughter that kept both participants and spectators thoroughly entertained.
One of the most impactful events of the festival was Street Play, held on the College Turf. Addressing issues such as discrimination, societal pressure, and the suppression of individual voices, the performances showcased theatre in its most direct and engaging form. The event was judged by Ms Somo Das and Mr Suprovo Tagore, who appreciated the participants’ ability to connect with audiences through powerful performances, music, and meaningful narratives.
The final day featured Ad Spoof, Comedy Play, and Mono Act. Ad Spoof challenged participants to create advertisements for products assigned on the spot, resulting in witty and imaginative performances. Comedy Play brought humour to centre stage through satirical and entertaining narratives, while Mono Act highlighted the strength of individual performers as they tackled themes ranging from psychological conflict to social prejudice and artistic identity.
The events were adjudicated by an accomplished panel comprising Mr Zahid Hussain, Mr Apratim Chatterjee, Ms Ritwika Chaudhuri, and Mr Suprovo Tagore, whose observations and feedback added immense value to the participants’ learning experience.
The festival concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, where Prof. Dilip Shah and Prof. Minakshi Chaturvedi felicitated the judges. While trophies and accolades marked the competitive aspect of the fest, the true success of Theatre Fest 2026 lay in the creativity, passion, and collaboration displayed by every participant. By providing a platform for students to perform, experiment, and share stories, Theatre Fest 2026 once again proved why theatre remains one of the most powerful forms of expression, giving voice to ideas that might otherwise fade into silence.
Reporters – Koena Chatterjee, Aditi Pal
Photographers – Agrag Ghosh, Sagar Dey, Dev Sinha
