Bringing a classic to stage
H.C.N deLanerolle, a household name in the local theatre scene established himself with his works of political satire.”Fifty-Fifty” being the first of a series of plays was the directorial debut of Jaliya Wijewardene back in September 2016. “‘The Senator” the second installment of the series will be performed by the cast of Amphitheatre on March 18 and 19 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.
Sahan Wijewardene
Leyanvi Mirando
Jaliya Wijewardene has taken on the role of Dionysius Sumanasekara, the affluent village gentleman and member of the State Council, a role brought to life by dramatist E.C.B. Wijesinghe. The humbled director/actor proclaims his desire to do justice to the veterans that established the play and notes that the Amphitheatre cast and crew are ready to “match up to standard”of this “daunting task”.
Dionysius breaks stereotypes of the men of his position in the narrow minded society of pre-Independent Ceylon. He is depicted by Jaliya as “a liberal, broad minded guy”. Although the play focuses on political satire, the principal character has, Jaliya chuckles, “no political standpoint”. Kavinda Gunasekara describes his character of William Babbington-Buckhamas as a jovial Englishman who is looking for respite in Ceylon.
Yasal Ruhunage
Shenilka Perera
However, Kavinda laughs “He’s on vacation with the wrong family.” Kavinda previously played Thambypillai, a Tamil childhood friend of Dionysius, in “Fifty-Fifty”, a role which demanded much from his vocal impressions and cultural appropriation as an actor. Yasal Ruhunage plays the feather-ruffling Somapala Sumanasekara. This volatile character is Dionysius’s nephew and office bearer in a left-wing party. Somapala points out the social potholes of pre-independent Ceylon and sticks to his beliefs in the principles of Socialism.
We last saw Chelvam Devarajan, enacted by Barana Waidyatilake, the campaign lawyer from “Fifty-Fifty” chasing the hand of Dionysius’ daughter.
Barana Waidyathilake
Chelvam returns to “The Senator”,victoriousl ywedded with a baby on the way. The complexity of this role, Barana states is Chelvam’s inability to lose his cool amidst the changes surrounding him. Coming from an upper bourgeois social class. Sahan Wijewardene’s character Hadjiar Abdul Hameedisa “man of very few words”. A Muslim community leader, Hadjiar busies himself with election work and tending office for childhood friend Dionysius.
Kavinda Gunasekara
Behind every successful man there is Charlotte Sumanasekara, played by Shenilka Perera. She describes Charlotte, Dionysius’s second, younger wife as “classy social climber”. She is the living image of a woman of her time, an aristocratic Kandyan wife to a Senator she is believed to have married for status.
Leyanvi Mirando,takes on the role of journalist Kamala Weerawardene. Headstrong Kamala enters the play as a member of The Women’s Association for Social Action. Being an early supporter of women’s rights, she much unlike Charlotte isn’t ready to accept the labels cast on her gender by society.
Tickets for “The Senator” priced at Rs. 2000/-, Rs. 1500/-, Rs. 1000/- and Rs. 750/- (Balcony). Box plan and tickets are available at the Lionel Wendt Theatre and online at www.lionelwendt.org.
Jaliya Wijewardene
