Plays by Somalatha Subasinghe for the whole family

Friday, 15 August 2014 01:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

During school holidays in August wonderfully imaginative two plays, designed for children, but absolutely delightful for adults to watch as well, will go on board at the Lionel Wendt theatre on 23 August, 3.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. They are Gamarala Diviya Loketa (Gamarala Going to Heaven) and Ratmalee (Little Red Riding Hood) written and directed by Somalatha Subasinghe. Gamarala Divya Loketa and Ratmalee are semi musicals and have been masterfully recreated with the vision of educating and nurturing the children and youth of this country through the medium of theatre to be humane and compassionate beings. Just like all of Somalatha Subasinghe’s plays, Gamarala Divya Loketa and Ratmalee are plays which present to the young and impressionable mind, important values and lessons in life. Subtly mixed with the action and humour on stage are invaluable lessons of love, responsibility, friendship, courage, trust and world awareness. And as children watch their favorite characters fight their inner and outer battles, they learn these (and many, many more) all important and simple lessons afresh.

It’s possible that you grew up with Somalatha Subasinghe’s plays. So now it’s time to introduce your children to them. And if neither you nor your child has ever seen them, then it really is not an experience you should miss. Music composition and direction are by M.R. Chulasinghe. The cast of the plays are consists of Rohan Wijethunga, Kumudini Wickramathanthri, Yashodha Rasanduni Thilakshini Ratnayake, Poojana Dandeniya, Dilum Buddhika, Chamara Gamethige, Saviour Kanishka, , Geetha Alahakoon, Renuka Liyanage, Mihiri Priyadharshini, Vimukthi Kiriella, Sameera Lakmal, Buddhika Edirisinghe, Rumali Chamathka and several new comers trained at Play House-Kotte. Stage sets and props are designed by Namal Jayasinghe and Pradeep Ramawickrama. Stage lighting and choreography are by Chandana Aluthge. Costumes are designed by Kaushalya Fernando.

‘Meya Thuwakkuwak Nove’ at the Wendt

‘Meya Thuwakkuwak Nove’ (This is Not a Gun), an original play written and directed by Chamila Priyanka will go on the boards of the Lionel Wendt on 20 August at 7 p.m. The overwhelming audience response and encouraging reviews following the opening night has paved the way for this repeat performance. What’s special about this show is that it’s sponsored by a group of audience members who came forward to support the work of this young director. Plot summary: A Buddhist monk looking to shed his robes leaves the monastic life. He has left the

temple with a stolen scooter that he doesn’t know how to ride. He crosses paths with a mad man rummaging in a pile of garbage, looking for a job. The two set off together, both believing the journey’s taking them closer to their respective ideas of salvation. Director’s note: The socio-political environment we live in is charged with drama. In such a context, it’s hard to put-up yet another ‘drama’ within a proscenium theatre for a captive audience and gauge if it’s successful or not. When reality itself is highly dramatised, what can staged drama do? ‘This is Not a Gun’ was something written amidst such questions and dilemma. So, you

decide…whether this is a gun or not. A graduate of University of Colombo, Chamila is a young director introduced to the theatre by veteran dramatist Somalatha Subasinghe and the Children’s and Youth Theatre Play House, Kotte. He made his directorial debut with his short play ‘You & Me Alone’ in 2006 which won the Special Jury award for Directionat the Youth Drama Festival and a Merit award for Direction National State Drama Festival in 2006. He has since scripted and directed several plays, including ‘Che & Juliet’ which won the award for Best Drama at the National State Drama Festival in 2007 and won 2nd place at the Youth Drama Festival in the same year. ‘Come To Play Cricket’written and directed by Chamila in 2009 was awarded Best Script at the Colombo District Youth Drama Festival. “This is Not a Gun” is his very first full-length play. Cast and crew: A group of award winning and promising young talent – Mayura Kanchana, Dilum Buddhika, Pramodh Edirisinghe, Anjana Premaratne, Kanishka Fernando and Yashodha Rasandunimake up the cast of this play. The rest of the team consists of Palitha Abelal - Make-up, Hiran Abesekera and Lahiru Ratnayake – Lighting, Lakshan iAmaratunge, Biyanka Hansani, K.V.D. Amaratunge – Set Design, Sameera Wimalasiri, Chamara Gamathige and Kumudu Wickramathanthri – Stage Management.

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