The latest drama production by Kaushalya Fernando, ‘Dutu’Thena’Allanu’ (Wanted) is on the  boards again at 3.30 and 6.45 p.m on  June 5 at Lionel Wendt Theatre, Colombo. An adaptation of the Opera Wonyosi by Nobel Prize-winning dramatist and poet Wole Soyinka,  ‘Dutu’Thena’Allanu’ is a satirical representation of a decadent, socio-political scenario. The post civil war [...]

The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Sociopolitical hell recreated on stage

‘Dutu Thena Allanu’, the latest theatre production by Kaushalya Fernando
View(s):

The latest drama production by Kaushalya Fernando, ‘Dutu’Thena’Allanu’ (Wanted) is on the  boards again at 3.30 and 6.45 p.m on  June 5 at Lionel Wendt Theatre, Colombo.

An adaptation of the Opera Wonyosi by Nobel Prize-winning dramatist and poet Wole Soyinka,  ‘Dutu’Thena’Allanu’ is a satirical representation of a decadent, socio-political scenario. The post civil war military regime in Nigeria and the economic upsurge created by oil extraction that resulted in social, political, and cultural decadence was the backdrop on which Soyinka created Opera Wonyosi.

His script is an Africanization of Bertolt Brecht’s ‘Three Penny Opera’ and John Gay’s 18th century ballad opera, ‘The Beggar’s Opera’, which also influenced Brecht’s work. Adapted from both these texts in 1977, Soyinka staged a powerful satire that explored the corrupt socio-political conditions prevailing in contemporary Nigeria. Murderous mayhem, institutionalized crimes such as assault and torture of prisoners, murders committed in broad daylight, mass scale concerts and funfair that devour resources, a culture of impunity, bribe and ransom taking, the madness of hording valuables, public places tainted with blood, streets congested by commotions and fights, etc. is the socio-political hell that was Nigeria, at that time.

Kaushalya’s presentation is a reproduction based on Wole Soyinka’s Opera Wonyosi, recreated to suit the Sri Lankan socio-political scenario. Premiered on December 2015, the play was well received by the audiences.

‘Dutu Thena Allanu’ is Kaushalya Fernando’s third theatrical production at national level. Earlier she had produced Sanda Langa Maranaya (Garcia Lorca’s Blood Wedding) and Maask (Henrik Ibsen’s The Public Enemy). KaushalyaFernando who has been a teacher of drama for a long period of time, is, at present, the Creative Director of Somalatha Subasinghe Play House, the Drama School inaugurated by her mother, SomalathaSubasinghe. Kaushalya strongly believes that the theatre experience should be an aesthetically pleasing one for the audience. Therefore, she believes that any complex socio-political experience could be taken to the public by using an engaging presentation style.

‘DutuThenaAllanu’ is presented by Somalatha Subasinghe Play House which is also known as the Lanka Children’s and Youth Theatre Foundation.

Music Direction of DutuThenaAllanu is by ChinthakaJayakody. Lighting design and Choreography is by Chandana Aluthge. Costumes and stage props are by ThisaraImbulana. The cast includes Dhanushka Dias, Shanaka Fernando, ThilakshiniRatnayake, MayuraPerera, NilankaDahanayake, SaviourKanishka, YashodhaRasanduni, PoojanaDandeniya, DilumBuddhika, KumuduWickramathanthri, Chamara Gamaethige, Thilina Perera, Gayathri Ekanayake, Thiwanka Don Ranasinghe, Sameera Lakmal Wimalasiri, DumindaSandaruwan and HasarindaKesaraLiyanaarachchi. All actors and actresses are trained at SomalathaSubasinghe Play House.

Advertising Rates

Please contact the advertising office on 011 - 2479521 for the advertising rates.