Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Director Rochelle

Waxing eloquent
By Ishani Ranasinghe

Colombo audiences can expect to be dazzled by the Wax Work Carnival, an operetta, the young cast of Methodist College is practising hard to bring to us. And what is an operetta? It is a performance similar to an opera, but with some words spoken rather than sung.
Woven around a waxwork museum where the figures of the famous and infamous come alive as the clock strikes midnight, the storyline is simple and straightforward.

here is Hitler, Michael Jordan, Elvis Presley, Shakespeare and, of course, Julius Caesar who plays an important role, for he is to marry Mary, Queen of Scotland. But there is a small problem, for in comes Boadicea to stop the wedding. Why? It goes back to a promise Caesar made to her 15,000 years ago and so the story continues.
Directed by Rochelle Jansen Singanayagam, the cast has over 60 students in the age group 11 to 15.

“Most of the cast has no stage experience whatsoever,” says Rochelle but they are doing fine with loads of “enthusiasm” and have been practising since April.

“They are able to grasp things very quickly which makes it easier for me to train them,” says Rochelle, adding that getting them on stage was a challenge for her as well. “They’ll probably tell you I terrorise them,” she laughs.

“Practices are the best because we really get to know each other,” says Rachel Halliday (Boadicea), while Manique Goonawardena (Mary) adds, “I think that’s the best part about this. We have become really close not only to those in our age group but also with the younger ones.” “I don’t think there was a play of this sort, where there is humour as well as a scary side to it,” says Shanika Edema (King Henry VIII).

For Irangi Abeygoonaratne who plays Caesar, it is a good experience. “This is a dream come true for me.” Sharing the same thoughts as the others, Eshini Ekanayaka (King Cole) adds, “This has given us confidence and taught us about commitment.”

They all agree that having to juggle schoolwork and practices proved to be tough but they have managed. “Being on the cast taught us a lot about time management and how to balance it all,” says Eshini. Wax Work Carnival will go on the boards at the Methodist College auditorium on September 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. Make sure you are there to witness the magic unfolding. Tickets priced at Rs. 300, Rs. 200 and Rs. 150 are available at Methodist College.

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