‘Shakespeare for Dummies....the Final Frontier’: a theatre production by Performance
Exchange UK, written and directed by Daniel Foley will tour Sri Lanka this week.
Three London actors attempt to scale the heights of Shakespeare in a fast paced and totally
irreverent evening of fun and mayhem. Shakespeare for Dummies...the Final Frontier
includes scenes never seen on any stage. Henry V, Mark Antony, Brutus, Lear, Hamlet, Lady
M, Macbeth, Richard III, Richard II, Titania, Cleopatra, Othello, Iago, Miranda, Prospero
and a host of others including Richard Burbage, David Garrick, Henry Irving, Edwin Booth,
Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton, John Gielgud, Marlon Brando, John Wayne etc. all make an
appearance. There is a stage fighting exhibition, sonnets, songs and the great Shakespeare Quiz
to end proceedings.
The production presented by the British Council goes on the boards in Colombo on Friday,
September 7 at 7.30 p.m. at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre, Borella. The 75 minute show
is followed by a 15 minute question and answer session. Tickets priced at Rs. 700 and Rs. 400
(balcony) are now available at the British Council Colombo Library help desk (Tuesday to
Saturday 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.).
The players travel to Kandy for a show on Sunday, September 9 at 6.30 p.m. at the
Sinhaputhra Finance PLC Rooftop Terrace, 11 Hill Street, Kandy. Tickets priced at Rs. 250
are now available at the British Council Kandy (Tuesday to Saturday 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.).
There will also be a three-session workshop at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre on
September 8 from 10 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. as follows:
Session 1: Voice – by Daniel Foley
Based on Listening In and Whispered Ah techniques, work on text, developing relaxation
and strength in projection. Duration: 1 hour. Age group: 13 years and above.
Session 2: Acting - by Nigel Miles - Thomas
Audition and monologue technique, discussing all aspects of acting styles, focusing on
performance and storytelling. Duration: 1 hour. Age group: 13 years and above.
Session 3: Shakespeare – by Daniel Foley
Language, rhythm, poetry, staging and acting will be covered. Looking at scenes and
acting out short sections of 'Romeo and Juliet'. Duration: 1 hour. Age group: 13 years and
above.
The registration fee of Rs. 500 includes all three sessions. Registrations are now open at the
British Council Colombo Library help desk (Tuesday to Saturday 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.).
