The delightful taste of reading was revived effortlessly among many as unique characters from books across cultures and ages came alive on stage, one more scintillating than the other. The evening of 21st May witnessed a celebration of characters from an array of literature.

 

The participants dressed up and enacted characters ranging from old time favourite Shakespearean plays to spicy Bhutanese version of Romeo and Juliet, from Charles Dicken’s classic novel to enchanting fairy tales, from Bhutanese epics to the contemporary short stories.

 

As the characters presented themselves on stage, the audience was thoroughly stalled. It was like a brief amusing trip to a different era, to another culture, or to another human mind. Each performer enchanted and bewitched the audience with their unique character and intentions. Shylock’s heart wrenching speech as to why he should seek revenge; Zhongar Dzongpon’s lamentation over the death of his beloved ones; Little red riding hood skipping and hopping off to her grandmother’s cottage; Cinderella transforming from rags to riches because of her simplicity and honesty; and Mary Maloney’s atrocious way of removing the evidence of the murder she had committed, are some of the snippets of the show.

 

Toward the end, all the sixteen characters paraded the stage revealing a rendezvous of a galaxy of characters in all shades and disposition.

 

Of the sixteen characters, the wicked witch from Snow White, played by Kinley Wangmo (Primary English) bagged the first prize, followed by Zhongar Dzongpon, played by Phuntsho Wangdi (Dzongkha Primary) and Shylock, played by Leythro Dorji (English Primary) who bagged the second and third position respectively, with their outstanding performances.

 

‘Off the Pages’ was organized by the Literary Committee with dual intentions:  encourage reading amongst the student teachers, and also to encourage them to replicate such activities in the schools where they will work after graduation. 

 

Sonam Lhachen 3EP