Two of Somalatha’s children’s plays stage a comeback
Somalatha Subasinghe needs no introduction to theatre lovers. She has a history of over 40 years in children’s theatre, not just through acting but also directing plays as well as, as a scriptwriter. Celebrating her 79th birthday on July 2, she along with Play House Kotte is ready to stage two of her dramas written in 1989 once again.
Gamarala Divyaloketa (Gamarala going to Heaven) and Ratmali (Red Riding Hood) both adaptations, written in her own way to show how she would like the stories to proceed, promising a new twist to these well known tales will be staged at the Lionel Wendt on July
Somalatha: The veteran artiste looks back
13.
Written and directed by Somalatha, the plays are semi-musicals. All her children’s dramas impart a moral to children and revolve around themes like friendship, kindness, obeying parents, good habits, courage, etc.
Somalatha has adapted several well known children’s stories like Himakumariya (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) and Walas Pawula (Goldilocks and the three bears) over the years and takes pride in the fact that she wrote Himakumariya in one night. The one-hour drama was written and performed for the students of Holy Family Convent in 1991.
Despite being ill over the past few months, when speaking about her life’s work youthful animation flows into her voice. “I entered children’s theatre in 1979 but I came on stage much earlier when I was a student at the Peradeniya University. My guru was Ediriweera Sarachchandra or ‘Sarachchandra the Great’ as I always call him. I was lucky enough to be in his acting troupe when he was experimenting with different theatre techniques. I was a part of many popular theatre productions of many directors at the time.Muhudu Puttu and Diriya Mawa were two of my favourites,” she says.
Going on to choose teaching as a career and stepping in to children’s theatre it was her acute understanding of the mind of the child that helped her gain popularity through her plays. She has been recognized globally for her work in children’s theatre and is the
Somalatha: The veteran artiste looks back
recipient of the Kalasoori and Kalakeerthi titles.
“I believe in the highest aesthetic development of children which will improve their knowledge and go on to improve and develop their personality as well as their language skills. I use a lot of music in my plays because children relate easily to music. Actions and facial expressions will also be exaggerated to involve the child personally with what happens on stage. Stage drama is an experience that should be given to every child. Not just by the plot and performance but also through the bond shared by the crew and cast, children would learn a lot,” she says passionately.
Performing an intricate masterpiece like Othello with children of grade seven and eight was an experience she would never forget.
Play House Kotte, also known as Lanka Children’s and Youth Theatre Foundation (LCYTF), which she launched in 1981 is now run by award winning actress and playwright Kaushalya Fernando together with Dr. Chandana Aluthge under Somalatha’s guidance. The unique feature of Play House Kotte is that it trains adults to act in children’s dramas. “It’s not as easy as it sounds and certain skills are required when performing children’s dramas. Our actors are all professional, skilled and trained members of the foundation,” says Dr. Chandana Aluthge. A cast of 20 will be performing the two plays.
The plays will be staged on July 13 at the Lionel Wendt at 3.30 p.m and 6.45 p.m. Tickets available at the Wendt are nominally priced from Rs. 250 up to Rs.500.