‘361’ talks about the shallowness of TV
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Udayasri Wickremeratne’s newest theatrical production ‘361’, a satire on the television industry and programmes they presented to its viewers is now going around the country with its latest show at 3.30 pm and 7 pm at Lionel Wendt theatre, Colombo.
With the tagline ‘truth is larger than the small screen’, the stage play deals with the people who sit in front of television and plans to change the existing social, political and economic systems.
“Even though television is a powerful medium today we find that what appears there is cheap, low grade and some of its presentation are even hilarious ‘says playwright Udayasiri Wickremeratne who earlier produced plays like ‘Suddek Oba Amathai’ (A white man addresses you), ‘Rangapema Ivarai; (Adieu to Acting) and ‘Pem Yuwalak Ona Kara thibe’ (Wanted a pair of lovers).
The play showcases various television programmes and show how shallow and naive they are.
“The viewers are glued to the TV and hopes that social changes could be done through political talk shows taking place in the TV,” he adds.
Asked about the peculiar title ‘361’ Udayasiri said that TV channels claims that they cover everything and title programmes ‘360 degrees’. “But this play goes beyond 360 degrees and so the play become ‘361’” the director said.
Speaking about the Sri Lankan theatre industry, Wickremeratne says if a play can have a long run it would defiantly be a good plays. For example look at Prof. Eidiriweera Sarachchandra’s ‘Maname’, ‘Sinhaba’, ‘Kanda Walalu’ and many more, Henry Jayasena’s ‘Hunuwataye Kathawe’, Dayananda Gunawardena’s ‘Nari Bena’, R. R. Samarakone’s ‘Kelani Palama’. Some of these plays have been running for more than 50, 60 years.
| ‘361’ at Wendt The latest show of “Thunsiya Hetaeka” (361) will go on the boards at 3.30 pm and 7.00 pm on March 4 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre Colombo 07. The cast includes Gihan Fernando, Umayangana Wickremasinghe, Ruwan Malith Peiris, Chamari Nisansala, Mihiri Priyangani, Rohitha Jayakoday, Kusal Maduranga, Ishara Wickremasinghe, Susanga Kahandawala Arachchi and Nayanthara de Silva. Music by Lalith Wickramarathne, set design, costume design and lighting are done by Luvolin Vanderwall, Nipuni Preksha Mendis, and Mihindu Madhushanka respectively. Stage management is by Sumedha Prasanna and “361” is presented by Jude Srimal. Tickets are available at the Lionel Wendt Theatre |