The first phase of the proposed Tk 38 crore project has been completed with an expenditure of only Tk 51.36 lakh. Under this phase, three centrally air-conditioned modern auditoriums - the National Theatre Stage, the National Art Gallery and the National Dance & Music Centre have been constructed with modern lighting and sound systems.

The Shilpakala Academy plans in the second phase to include other facilities befitting of a world class theatre.

But while the exterior of the National Theatre Stage is bound to impress anyone, the excitement gradually evaporates as soon as a show starts.

Because of the faulty opening of the proscenium arch stage, the audience on the first floor of the gallery sees only half of the cyclorama (the curtain used at the back of the stage). As a result they miss the lighting effects on the cyclorama. This situation has occurred because of the inappropriate height and width ratio of the opening. While the width of the opening is 78 feet, the height is only about 20 feet.

A workshop for 15 light designers of the country was held under the expertise of an expatriate designer. The practical classes of that workshop took place at the National Theatre Stage and light designers were told that an ideal set up would have the light source at a 45-degree angle facing the performers. But at present, none of the light bars follow that basic requirement. On the other hand, seven light bars have been set for the stage. As a result the FoH (Front of House) bar is too far from the stage while the Last Bar is too close to the cyclorama.

"The FoH bar is so far from the stage that it is really tough to set a general light wash at this hall. Moreover, lights fluctuate every now and then. I think after changing the light bar set-up, the academy should appoint an expert to train technicians so that they can operate modern equipment properly," said renowned director Tariq Anam Khan after the staging of Projapati at the hall.

Masking of the stage is not proper too. Instead of the angular wings setting, it has been set straight. Because of that, a backstage activity during a play is visible to the audience sitting at the corners. The drop lights of the light bar act as obstacle to the viewers because of the faulty masking. The colour of the intermediate curtain is yellow, which is also not convenient for light designing.

"The acoustic system of the hall is excellent but the other systems are not in keeping with this excellence. Ratio of the width and height of the opening of the proscenium arch is not proper. Masking of the stage is not good at all. Last bar that should be about five feet from the cyclorama is only one and a half feet away, destroying the colour effect on the cyclorama. The light distribution of the dimmer is not proper too. Only 120 lights among the 300 can be operated by the dimmer," said designer and director of the play Brand, Kamaluddin Nilu.

The modern sound system is not working properly. Sometimes during a show annoying static sound is created.

"No skilled hand is available at the Shilpakala Academy to handle the sound system," added Nilu.

"The floor of the stage is so shinny that light reflecting on the floor creates a bouncing light effect on the cyclorama which is harmful for the light effects," said Mahmudul Islam Selim, a set and light designer of Nagorik Natyangan.

Cultural activists think that the Shilpakala Academy should address the problems before taking over the responsibility of National Theatre Stage from the Public Works Department (PWD) to avoid repetition of problems like the one experienced on the second day of weeklong drama festival arranged by the Theatre Art Unit where the hydraulic lift of the orchestra totally broke down.