Mingling in a ‘Chatroom’

They sit at the table in the corner of an empty hall, surrounded by the debris of a meal. Two glasses of coke get passed around, accompanied by casual insults and witticisms. Brandon reads Tracy's palm, (one of his many skills), and tells her that she's always had "a one-track mind." Considering the distinct possibility, she agrees, and that's why, within the next half an hour, the cast of one of this year's most anticipated plays will be hard at work again.

In the meantime, however, Subha, Arun, Erasha, Ruvin, Tehani and Brandon are available for interrogation. They're fresh and unsuspecting, and even more promisingly, they're practically virginal when it comes to experimental theatre. Check out the young, vibrant cast of Chatroom.

Subha Wijesiriwardene, 18
Looking for Subha? You should try centre stage first…where the glow of the spotlight is brightest. Subha will be the first to tell you that she simply revels in all the attention and that she's unashamedly "loud and opinionated." And while it's true that she's all that, she's also much, much more. An incredibly talented writer and dancer, Subha has had little experience with acting, except for the odd play in school. "I'm not really one for acting," she confesses, adding that she does however, simply love backstage work (she was stage manager for Bishop's College at last year's Shakespeare Drama Competition.) Subha plays Emily in Chatroom. She explains that 16-year-old Emily should be easy to understand. She appears rather sweet and naïve, and even though she is vain, she craves acceptance above all things. "She's younger than I am now, and though it's just a two-year gap, it makes such a difference," says Subha, talking about getting into character.

"I remember when I was 16 and now I'm 18, and you may think it's not such a big deal, but it been such a monumental change."
At first glance, Emily and Subha may appear to have little in common. But for Emily, "life is still 'pretty'… and I share that with her – that optimism," says Subha. "I do think that though there's bad stuff going on, there's also a lot of good stuff that's worth living for."

Tehani Chitty, 26
Despite the fact that she's older than the rest of the cast, Tehani fits right in. She not only looks the part of a teenager, she also assures me that she often acts it. Tehani has a strong background in theatre, having minored in it at University. However, Chatroom is something of a comeback for her, considering that she hasn't been on stage for close to three years now (being the Activities Coordinator of the Sri Lanka Anti-Corruption Project has presumably kept her busy.) She's looking forward to getting back in the saddle, and says that she only anticipates a few jitters right before she has to perform. "That's when I get nervous. I say, 'I can't do it, I can't do, I can't do it,' and then I just get on there and do it."

Tehani plays Laura in Chatroom. Laura is a strong, independent character, and appears, at least on the surface, to be mature, optimistic and kind. "She lives her life in chat rooms trying to counsel people, but at the same time, it's therapy for her," reveals Tehani, adding that Laura isn't the type to cave into peer pressure. But is Laura really as strong, and decisive as she appears? Or will she stay silent, retreat, give way, when you most need her?

Erasha Sugathapala, 20
Meet this play's baddest babe. Be warned though, that she doesn't look it... yet. It's easier by far to imagine Erasha playing a benevolent Fairy Godmother, as she did in her very first role. After all, she does giggle endearingly and frequently, aside from which there isn't a black nail in sight. She's also very diligent, and is studying for a Diploma in Teaching from ACTL, is interning at an advertising firm and is also currently preparing to enrol in Colombo University's Literature programme.

The truth be told, Erasha is having the time of her life playing the confused, angry and bitter Eva. Eva is the sort that enjoys making people cry, and has an alarming preference for heavy eyeliner, black nail polish and a menacing expression. The role has allowed Erasha to plumb her "dark side," with abandon; an experience that she professes to enjoy. "Whatever character you want to play is inside you somewhere," she says, "the secret is to dig deep enough to find that character." The process is strangely like slipping into someone else's skin, so that in the end, "the audience doesn't actually know where you end and the other person begins.

Ruvin de Silva, 20
Ruvin is a man of few words. In fact, this is his first speaking role, his previous experience, he laughingly admits, having been confined to roles like "a wave" and "a fairy." A student at ACBT, Ruvin has loved drama since forever. In particular, for this unpretentious actor, much of the charm lies in the preparation. "I love to meet people, work with them, build up a character… and yes, even as a wave and a fairy there's a lot of building to be done."

Ruvin plays Jack in Chatroom. Jack is something of an enigma. "Though he has problems, he also knows how to deal with them," says Ruvin, adding that Jack is something of a dark horse, and proves to be unexpectedly mature. "I have a lot in common with him," Ruvin says seriously.

Brandon Ingram, 21
As far as Brandon is concerned, this is the toughest play he's ever done… which is saying something. Brandon last made a big splash as Portia in 1999, when he won Best Actor at the Shakespeare Drama Competition. Since then he's acted in a few other plays, but Chatroom remains his biggest challenge. Theatre, for Brandon, provides the best kind of escape. "In a strange way, theatre gives me this feeling like 'I can time travel, I can be different people, I can morph into different things…it's really cool." It helps that stage fright will never be an issue. "There's nothing modest about me at all, I love the limelight, I love being on stage."

Brandon seems to have found his match in his character Jim. “Brandon the adult does not know Jim at all, but Brandon the teenager was Jim to the last decimal,” he says. Jim, it turns out is confused, depressed and possibly suicidal. "Jim has just come to the realisation that he can't stand his mother… and that's the least of his problems," says Brandon, adding that “Jim epitomises teenage depression... ‘cause when you're a teenager and you're depressed, you think there's nobody in the world who has problems bigger than you, this is IT, it doesn't get any worse than this… why don't they understand?”

What with all the angst and melodrama, going back to being a teenager has been "really tough," but for someone who strives to "make life as interesting as possible," it’s also an irressitable challenge.

Arun Welandawe-Prematilleke, 18
If this were a perfect world, Arun would be a film director. But it isn't and he's discovering that the theatre is far from being poor compensation. "Film is my first love, but there's something about theatre…it's so alive," he says. For Arun, acting is very much a cerebral experience. "As an actor, I find it exciting to intellectualise it," he says, explaining that for him the challenge lies in "thinking about the themes in the story, what the writer is really trying to say, and trying to bring that out in a performance."
The teenage psyche as depicted in Chatroom, for instance, particularly interests him; the idea of "borrowed ideas" is intrinsic to his understanding his character William.

"You read what someone else says, and then suddenly that's what you always say… On the internet you can give everybody the impression that you're exactly who you want to be; you have your ideal self talking to these people – it’s just words, and you can use them to propel this image."

Domineering, intelligent, opinionated and even slightly sinister, William completes the ensemble and as the 'villain' elect, he is central to the play. William is as confident as he is disturbing…will he be the one to choose where they all end up?

The Mind Adventures Theatre Company presents Chatroom directed by Tracy Holsinger. The play will be staged at the British School Auditorium from February 23-25 from 8 p.m onwards. Tickets are available at the Wendy Whatmore Academy on 13th Lane. Media sponsors for the event are Yes FM.