Dhaka, Oct. 23 -- Shilpakala Academy is set to provisionally reopen after a seven-month hiatus amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Three theatre troupes will stage plays at the academy's National Theatre, Experimental Theatre Hall and Studio Theatre Hall later on Friday, according to Jhuna Chowdhury, presidium member of the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation.

Shilpakala Academy has decided to grant theatre troupes' access to venues for free as part of an effort to make up for the financial losses incurred by the performance artists during the pandemic.

Initially, the theatre hall will be open every Friday and Saturday.

"For now, it has been decided to open the Shilpakala Academy on the weekends. But it is being done on an experimental bas...