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Magazine |
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Mystery takes
centrestage Sascha Pendigrast
(16), who takes on the role of Detective Evans says the whole acting
experience has been a fun filled one for her as well as the other
members of play. "You learn new things and meet people you
never knew," adds 14-year-old Sara Careem, who The second
play , 'The Verdict' is also an Agatha Christie adaptation. The
plot revolves around Professor Karl Hendryk, a scholar with high
ideals and noble principles. His invalid wife Anya, believes that
she is a burden to everyone and feels that her husband doesn't love
her. She is looked after by her cousin Lisa. Then in walks the beautiful
Helen Rolander who is infatuated by the Professor. She convinces
her wealthy father to give the Professor an ultimatum, where he
must agree to be her tutor, in exchange for a drug, which would
cure his wife's handicap. "This
whole experience has made us realize that though we've been in school
for so long, some of us hardly know each other. By getting involved
in the play, total strangers have become very good friends,"
says Tanya Goonewardene, 17, who plays the role of the Professor.
Vraie Balthazaar, 17, plays his wife, while Helen is Chathurika
Gammampila, 18. "From the time she walks in, everything is
a mess!", she complains. Giving a perfect description of her
character, is Helen's father. "I am a persuasive, pompous,
arrogant pig," claims Sascha Pendigrast. 'Shall we join
the Ladies?' the third play is written by J.M. Barrie. "I play
the role of the host Sam Smith, who invites a group of unsuspecting
strangers on a typical English holiday, with the sole purpose of
identifying his brother's murderer," explains Sabrina Mack. "We have
had loads of fun. The whole cast is like one big happy family,"
say Vileshka Ranchagoda (17), and Nadya Tissera (16) who are also
in the play. "Living
up to the expectations of the audience will be hard because these
are all popular plays," says director Juanita Beling, who is
a past pupil of Methodist. "We had to select plays which were
short and suitable for the students, and which had the least number
of male roles. We also wanted plays where we could involve the most
number of girls, since making maximum use of talent is most important."
This being her first production, she has been encouraged and ably
assisted by Ms. Hiranya Wickremasinghe, the teacher-in-charge. 'An Evening
of Mystery', goes on the boards at the Lionel Wendt on September
27 and 28. |
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Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
The school
will stage three plays on the 'mystery' theme. The first, 'Tea for
Three', though written by Margery Vosper, is an adaptation of Agatha
Christie's 'Accident'. A tale of confusion and intrigue unfolds
when a retired inspector from Scotland Yard, settles down in the
countryside for a life of quiet. But enter Ms. Merrowdene, a woman
on trial for murdering her first husband and the detective is convinced
that her second husband will succumb to the same fate.
plays
the deceitful Mrs. Merrowdeene.
