From inspired Swan Lake productions and Film Noir productions, to first time ever drama festivals and competitions, theatre enthusiasts of Colombo have an interesting few months ahead of them.
Be it comedy, musicals or more serious forms of theatre, the period of May to December 2009 has something for every member of the audience giving them a new dilemma of which dramas to go for as opposed to the question of what is happening in the local drama scene. So to all theatre aficionados, save up the dough for tickets and watch out for these dramas – just a few of the confirmed theatrical treats which will be coming soon to theatres near you.
First up is Encounters at the British School Auditorium from May 14–17 at 7pm. It is a double production consisting of two dramas – The Waiting Room and Love Letters – produced by The Performing Arts Company and directed by Nafeesa Amirudeeen. Described as essentially reflective and sentimental with some humorous moments, the allure of these two plays lie in the suspense and their capability of relating to the audience, and will be performed by Mohammed Adamaly, Ranmali Mirchandani and Tracy Holsinger. Tickets priced at Rs. 1500, 1000, 750, 500 and 300 are available at The British School Auditorium.
Around the same time – May 16 and 17 – comes Indu Dharmasena’s latest comedy– For Better or for Worse which will take the stage of the Lionel Wendt at 7.30pm. Yet another rib tickling and satirical comedy, For Better or For Worse keeps up with the times as it deals with Piti Makunas and rose bushes, proposals, high interest and the collapse of large finance companies. Tickets are priced at Rs. 800,600,400 and 250 and are available at the Lionel Wendt. Parking will be made available at the Women’s International premises.
Fans of George Bernard Shaw, Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekhov will be glad to know that for the first time ever, the works of these well loved authors and playwrights will be brought to life by the dramatists of Ladies College, Methodist College, Good Shepherd College Kotahena, Bishops College, St. Peter’s College, Trinity College, St. Joseph’s College and Royal College, in the Bishopian Drama Festival which is to be held on May 22 and 23 at the Bishops College Auditorium at 7pm. Avid literature enthusiasts take note- a literary exhibition will take place at the foyer of the auditorium prior to the show. Tickets are priced at Rs. 750, 500, 400 and 300.
Around 75 Thomian thespians – directed by Vinod Senadeera – will bring Charles Dickens’ Nicolas Nickleby to life in a vibrant musical known as SMIKE to be held from July 17–19 at the Lionel Wendt. Described as a fun pop musical, SMIKE promises to entertain all members of their audience, young and old. Familiar scenes from the 1940’s black and white films – hence the name of its concept – Film Noir, also known as Stormy Weather will be dramatized on the stage of The Punchi Theatre from September 10–13. An exciting whodunit mystery set in the 1940’s Stormy Weather will be directed by Jehan Aloysius.
Yet another first timer - the Inter-International School Drama Competition.
Organized by Alethaea International School in collaboration with the Examinations Board of Trinity College London Guildhall, the theme of this year’s competition will be Shakespeare’s Tragedies. An interesting fact about the competition is that it is not merely a competition but also a form of examination as each cast will be evaluated on the basis of the group drama syllabus. Thus each team will also be awarded certificates base on performance. The team with the highest grade will win. Fourteen local schools have also been invited to participate. The end of October will see what has been called “an inspired swan lake” directed by Jehan Aloysius.
It will be produced in association with the Sunera Foundation and Ranaviru Sevana– with a cast of Soldiers from Ranaviru Sevana and promises to be an evening of thought provoking drama which also deals with physical drama that sets out to rediscover the beauty of the human body. To wrap up the drama year comes Move over Mrs. Markham – a farce comedy produces by The Silent Hands – headed by Jehan Bastians and Neidra Williams. An adaptation of the comedy by Ray Cooney and John Chapman, this production follows their recent success Boeing Boeing, and once again promises an entertaining night of comedy which will take place at the Lionel Wendt from December 10–13.
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