he Dramatics Society of the historic Edwardes College Peshawar staged a rendition of Homer’s great epic, Troy, in its British-era auditorium from February 19 to 21.

Speakers at the opening ceremony of the play urged the students to take part in theatre. Students, faculty members and a select group of visitors attended the live theatre. They lauded the crew and organisers of the play.

The Edwardes College, Peshawar, founded in 1909, has produced a number of film legends, TV stars, literati, playback singers and music composers.

Despite being written 2,800 years ago by a Greek poet,Illiad is still relevant to the society in many ways. The play, Troy, is adapted from the Greek poem considered a sublime masterpiece over hundreds of years.

Organisers told The News on Sundaythat young Edwardiansmesmerised the audience with their performance. They said they were keen on staging more plays to keep thetradition alive.

Around 50 performers, both boys and girls, all students at bachelor’s level, played various roles in the live action.

The play covered several complex themes that resonated with the audience. In exploring themes of honour, duty, love and the hidden cost of war, the play seemed almost allegorical to contemporary times.

In his opening remarks, Professor Nasir Iqbal, head of the English Department and the producer of the play, said that the students had been rehearsing for weeks. “It took us over a month and a half to put together a production that captured the essence of this timeless tale of love, betrayal and glory,” he said.

Major roles, Helen, Hector, Achilles, Agamemnon and Odysseus were performed by Afeesa, Muneeb, Baryal, Shahab, Shamayal Khan, Saad Khan and Abuzar. The performers received thunderous applause from the audience.

Tausif Khan and Usman Dawar, two students visiting from Peshawar Public School and College, said that they had genuinely enjoyed the play. “The live theatre took us to a world of fantasy, to far-off lands,” said Dawar. “A bygone era almost,” agreed Khan.

ProfessorSamiuddin Arman, a senior faculty member, was all praise for the students who took part in the production. “Ours [Edwardes College] is the only institution in the region that has kept alive the golden tradition of live theatre performances,” he told TNS.

The organisers said the play was performed on the first day for the current students of the college. On the second day, a performance was scheduled for students of other local colleges. The third day was reserved for families and Edwardian alumni.

At the end of performance, students gathered on the stage and thanked the audience for their appreciation, keen interest and attention.

The writer is a Peshawar-based journalist. He mostly writes on art, culture, education, youth and minorities. His X handle: @Shinwar-9