New company tackles modern masterpiece
Undoubtedly, the assortment of personalities at Identities Inc. is an impressive lot. Actors, directors, lawyers, news anchors, filmmakers; it’s an all-inclusive production house, perfect for…say, staging a play. When they put on David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross three weeks from now at the Punchi Theatre, both the cast and crew will have a steady team to rely on.
Identities Inc. was formed just a few months ago by its members, a group of young theatre and film enthusiasts from all walks of life. At Identities, you’re only as good as what you bring to the table, we’re told-this is perhaps why they’ve got such a diverse mix of talented personalities on board. The idea is to have everything one would need for a production under one roof, says Dominic Kellar. For example there’s a rather cool trailer for the new play online that was directed and filmed in-house. “It makes everything that much easier to be able to do our own work, exactly the way we want it done.”
This first venture is directed by Gehan Blok, a familiar face from the stage making a natural transition to that of a director. Blok will direct an impressive cast-Dominic Kellar, Shanaka Amarasinghe, Rajiv Ponweera, Andre Perera, Dino Corera, Niren Neydorff and Miranga Ariyaratne will be joined by Hans Billimoria for this adaptation of the legendary playwright’s Pulitzer and Tony award winning play. The plot revolves around the everyday work trials of four Chicago real estate agents tasked with closing a deal, highlighting the trials and tribulations of a cutthroat corporate world.
Mamet’s play is one of the most critically acclaimed of its time and premiered in London in 1983. Based on the playwright’s own experience at a real estate office, the play is often alluded to as one of his best. It gained prominence in pop culture when it was adapted into film starring Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey and Alec Baldwin. The director knew it would be a perfect first effort for the newly minted group. “We didn’t look for a script that would suit an already predetermined cast,” says Blok. “The script was chosen first, and then we scouted for actors. Several people auditioned for each role.”
As the four very different, increasingly desperate salesmen try to close their respective deals, the lines between black and white may occasionally blur and collide. Will the pressure to succeed overwhelm these men? Drop in at the Punchi Theatre in Borella on July 17, 18, 19 and 20 to find out. Tickets available at Quickee.lk