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The Butterflies take flight again

Fairytales, when analysed, can be quite frightening
The Dark forces battle with the Good.

Can the magic hours between Midnight and Dawn work on our subconscious? Do dreams reflect reality? Can the tricksters in the show manipulate our minds, or do we trick ourselves into a make-believe world, which does not disturb us? Do we help to clothe Evil in a mantle of Goodness and admire the Prince of Darkness when he invites us to his palace and we drink his contaminated wine?

Our trickster takes us into a land of weaponry where the weapons talk…

Do we believe their gossip?

To believe or not to believe, that is the question…

We encourage you to experience this performance in your own personal way.
Don't let yourself be tricked....

The Sunera Foundation presents The Butterflies Theatre Company in "Swinging Times - A Fairy Tale for Adults" at the Bishop's College auditorium on September 5 and 6 at 7.30 pm.

Directed by Wolfgang Stange, Julian Crouch and Rohana Deva, the story is set against a military backdrop and highlights the many unseen facets of war, how the fortunes of some are built upon and indeed dependent on the lack of peace and the demand for weapons of destruction.

It questions the morals of a rapidly "developing" society and leaves the audience pondering, long after the curtains close, on the issues which surface during the unravelling of the plot.

However what sets this production distinctively apart from many others lies not in its plot but in its cast. Comprising a diverse selection of individuals ranging from professional actors to physically, mentally and emotionally handicapped performers, soldiers and displaced persons from all ethnic communities, "Swinging Times" is a must see for all those interested in the performing arts as well as those interested in the arts of life.

Celebrating with chamber music

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Lionel Wendt Theatre, a chamber music concert was held on August 5.

The performers were Ramya Perera, (piano), Ananda Dabare, (violin), Dushayanthi Perera, (cello) and Ajith Abeysekera on clarinet.

The Clarinet Trio in A minor is by no means the most interesting of Brahms’ compositions and is overshadowed by his clarinet quintet. Too many of its themes are on the familiar arpeggio pattern. The real beauty is in the slow andante grazisiso movement. However, even in this movement the performance lacked both lustre and life, which forestalled any real enjoyment for the listener.

The violin solos, which followed, were unfortunately marred by the instrument succumbing to the heat and humidity. The violinist himself was hampered by the limited choice of solo works for the instrument. Kreisler's Caprice Viennois is one of the gems and a favourite item for an encore. Sadly, it suffered most from the capriciousness of the violin, much to the discomfort of the performer. Kriesler himself published these pieces as transcriptions from more famous composers, until the hoax was discovered, but this does not in any way diminish their popularity.

Chopin's Berceuse Op. 57 and Prelude Op. 23 No. 24: Chopin's instrumental cradle song - "Berceuse" and the Prelude have all the elements of a suspended resolution, a trick of rhythm, a pedal note which suffice to work wonders. Ramya Perera with her total absorption in conveying the underlying emotion, gave us another glimpse of the art of playing Chopin, if we overlook an occasional smudged note or two. At this point it may be appropriate to pay a special tribute to the pianist, who was an active partner in all the works performed.

The cellist, Dushyanthi Perera then gave us a short taste of her tonal quality and solid technique in the First Movement of Richard Strauss's Sonata in F major for piano and cello, followed, as an encore by "Le Cygne'' from Saint-Saens "Carnival of animals'', made famous as the music for Anna Pavlova's immortal ballet of the dying swan.

The concert ended with two works for the Trio, namely Michael Glinka's Trio Pathetique, an early composition of his, reflecting more his striving for technical mastery of form than any attempt at Russianness. In style it leans towards Latin elegance and refinement and, I believe is rarely played, even in Russia.

Piazzola's Tango - Vorano Porteno, provided a fitting finale to an enjoyable evening.
-Dr. Lalith Perera

Tommiya on the boards with veterans and new faces

The second in Indu Dharmasena’s ever popular “Tommiya” series, “Madai Tommiya Colamba Giya” will go on the boards at the Lionel Wendt on September 6 and 7.
This play first staged in the early 90’s was the most popular of the series and ran to packed houses. .

The Dubai returned Lucy has invested her earnings in a small garment factory in partnership with Galaboda Ralahamy’s family. Andana Silva the hair dresser, is the designer. They want to appoint Ralahamay’s only son, Tommy, as the factory manager.

But the simple Tommy has never left the village and is rather backward. So he is told to go to Colombo with Andana to learn English and get a bit fashionable. Tommy who has fallen hopelessly in love with Lucy’s niece, Geetha refuses to go at first, but when Geetha laughs at him and refuses his marriage proposal, he agrees.

Once in Colombo, Tommy tries very hard to understand and learn to be part of the so- called fashionable world. There are times when the kind and patient Andana wishes he had never undertaken this Herculean task and even considers sending Tommy back to the village. After being away for two months finally Tommy returns to the village for the opening of the garment factory.

From the original cast, veteran theatre personality Jith Pieris will be back on stage again playing Tommy’s father, Galaboda Ralahamy.

Indu plays Tommy while Michael Holsinger plays Andana Silva. Priyanka Holsinger who was also a member of the orginal cast plays one of the society ladies, while the versatile Krys Sosa and Catriona Nicolas play society ladies whom Tommy encounters in Colombo.

In this production, the colourful role of the Dubai returned Lucy, is played by Natalie Soysa. Angie Seneviratne will play Caroline, Tommy’s mother, while Keshanee Gunawardena plays the pretty Geetha.

It’s time for the Nawa Kalakaruwo exhibition

The George Keyt Foundation presents the Tenth Annual Exhibition - Nawa Kalakaruwo/Emerging New Artists & Art - an exhibition of contemporary Sri Lankan art at the Harold Peiris Gallery from September 2-7. The artists are drawn from all parts of the country and have emerged through the several annual exhibitions of "Young Contemporaries" which have been presented since 1991 and from the "Kala Pola" each year.

The opportunity for 'Art' that these exhibitions and presentations have provided since the Foundation was established in 1988 has led to an increasing number of participants. The 'Flowers which Bloomed Again' with the first young contemporaries have continued to develop and flourish, also aided by the several other galleries which select from them for individual and small group exhibitions.

'New Artists' emerge each year for the group. This year too there will be first time Nawa Kalakaruwo. Secretary, Ministry of Enterprise Development and Industrial Policy, Ranjit Fernando and Mrs Frances Fernando will be the chief guests at the exhibition opening on September 1.

This 'Opportunity for Art' has been made possible over these ten years through sponsorship by the Ceylon Tobacco Company Limited.

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