A book on the pioneer of children’s theatre
Prasannajith Abeysuriya
A book on the late actress and playwright Somalatha Subasinghe written by Prasannajith Abeysuriya will be launched on September 10 at 4.30 pm at the Panibharatha auditorium of the University of Visual and performing arts in Colombo.
Organised by The Road to Right organisation, there will be a number of talks, discussion and performances at the book launch.
Born on July 2, 1936 at Vigoda in Gampaha, Somalatha Subasinghe first studied in Divulapitiya and later entered the Musaeus College Colombo.
Entered Peradeniya University in 1958, Subasinghe joined in a number of plays produced by Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra at the university. She played prominant roles in Sarachchandra’s ‘Raththaran’ and ‘Elowa Gihin Melowa Awa’.
Subasinghe entered cinema playing in Meril Albert’s ‘Dahakin Ekek’ that was released in 1973. Later she played in Dr. Lester James Peries’ ‘Madol Duwa’, Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne’s ‘Siribo Aiya’, Tissa Abeysekara’s ‘Mahagedara’, ‘Viragauy’ and ‘Gurugedrara’, T. Arjun’s ‘Wasanthaye Dawasak’ and Asoka Handagama’s ‘Me Mage Sandai’.
Promoting children’s theatre, Subasinghe produced a number children’s plays and introduced many actors and actresses. Forming Kotte Play House, she trained many a budding stars.
Among the children’s play she produced are ‘Punchi Apata Den Therei, ‘Thoppi Welenda’, Rathmalee, ‘Gamarala Diviya Loketa’, Hima Kumariya and ‘Walas Pawula’.
She produced award winning play ‘Vikurthi’, a critique on the modern education system. Some of her plays were performed in a number of foreign countries and won international awards.
