Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

MMF - A novel experience
I am not an avid theatre fan but don't mind going to see the occasional drama. The Mirror Making Factory which ran at the Lionel Wendt a couple of weeks ago was a welcome experience.

I felt that this play had a hidden message to convey. The MMF was the aspiration of modern parents in today's society where they want their children to be highly educated, a role-model and the 'yes' type.

The free thinking anti-hero "a reject rejected by the Rejects Department" is the natural rebel against parental authority and today's society who ultimately ends up in institutions like Sahanaya.

The plot was good and the audience given a tour of the process of modern man making with lots of laughter and a dig at society. The plot reached a crescendo and a paradox was created as to whether our so-called world leaders and normal people are really normal. The paradox is: who should really be at Sahanaya.

The play depicts the naivete of the commercial media and the advertising industry. The clear cry of the young human spirit and eventually the triumph of the individual fighting the relentless barrage of insidious signals on how one should fit in the society was evident.

The stage design with bright colours was good and depicted the vibrance of youth. The good use of the MMF logo made the design very effective. The script was clear and very incisive.

The stage is a platform for any group of people to convey a message in the form of acting, music, dance and dialogue. In the Mirror Making Factory, this was well done.
- T. M. Muhaj Hamin

Many delights at the Mount
For many people, the romance of the East is inseparable from the old world charm of its colonial-era buildings. None is more romantic than the Mount Lavinia Hotel. An enduring monument to illicit tropical passion, the early 19th century house was intended to be a country residence for British governors of what was then the crown colony of Ceylon.

Now known as one of the most famous hotels of Sri Lanka, Mount Lavinia Hotel is considered a hotel with a difference.

New additions to the hotel include The Hut. This was the first night club ever to be opened in Sri Lanka, way back in 1957. Closed down for some years, it has been refurbished and re-opened to members and couples only. The band Damage plays at The Hut on Fridays and Saturdays, providing music from the 70s, 80s and the 90s. "The music is more adult oriented," says the Public Relations Manager of Mount Lavinia Hotel, Oshadi De Silva.

There is also the Sea Food Cove, which operates on a market concept. Fresh fish is laid out market style, and diners can choose the kind they fancy and then decide on how they would like it to be cooked, and have it made then and there. This is a firm favourite amongst all seafood lovers.

The Governor's Restaurant is more renowned for its theme nights. On Monday, there is the all Sri Lankan menu, prepared by Pabilis, the chef famed for his variety of Sri Lankan dishes. On Tuesday, there is the "Vegetarian all the Way" night. This is specially designed for the vegetarians, as there are so many vegetarians out there, adds Oshadi. On Wednesday, there is the "Silk Route" theme night, where they serve only Mongolian and Chinese food, and on Thursday, it is the "Arabian Nights", where the only food on the menu consists of Arabic delicacies. On Friday, it is the Barbecue day and on Saturday, it is Italian Food all the way with "Viva Italia".

"On Saturday, we also have the Outdoor Movies on The Terrace," adds Oshadi. Incidentally the Terrace was selected by Newsweek Magazine as one of the best Gathering Places in the world in their November issue of 2000.

And finally, on Sunday, the menu is 'Mouth Wateringly British'. All designed to attract the widest possible clientele to this grand old hotel.

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