Shakin it up!

By Natasha Fernandopulle

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare is certainly a well-loved comedy, but this time around all theatre enthusiasts in Colombo will have something slightly different (and magical) to look forward to when this tale unfolds.

The story has been tugged at, twisted and turned completely around with a touch of local flavour… and the result, Pyramus & Thisby by CentreStage Productions. This magical experience has been constructed from the two sub plots in the text that involve the 'mechanicals' and the 'fairies.'

Nigel (Snout): “I joined the group last year and have been learning gymnastics, dance and acting… We all work as one family, to make the production a success.”

Pyramus & Thisby is set in Sri Lanka, at the turn of the 19th century. Low-country dance, music, mask rituals and comedy will be used alongside Shakespeare's lyrical verse. The production is thus set to be a bright, colourful and magical one. The costumes have very much a Lankan touch from the clothes donned by the actors right down to the creatively turned out accessories. The setting for this enchanting tale will be the St. Joseph's College Quadrangle and to add to the already picturesque setting the magical evening will be enhanced with illuminated trees and fairy lights.

Dialogue is minimal in this musical, which emphasises dance and movement. Tying up with the concept of adding a Sri Lankan flavour to the performance, the dialogue has been localised and will be accompanied by original music.

The dances will be kolam, nadagam and thovil along with modern and fusion dance steps. It must be noted that the cast and crew come from various backgrounds and areas of Sri Lanka. That aside they have gathered the help and knowledge of original mask makers and dance troupes from Ambalangoda, cane weavers from Veveldeniya and costume makers from Colombo.

The special fairy masks, accessories and prosthetic devices have been brought down from Edinburgh.

If you like a change from the traditional Shakespeare, along with some magic and local flavour, then just the right ingredients have been stirred into Pyramus & Thisby for you to taste and enjoy!

Cast
Anuk De Silva (Quince), Jehan Aloysius (Bottom), Heshan Perera (Flute), Nigel Pietersz (Snout), Arnold Pietersz (Snug), Tanya Senaratne/Evangeline de Silva (Titania), Shehan Nelson (Oberon), Sajad Shabdeen (Puck), Anabella Brochard (Peaseblossom), Kasun Rupasinghe (Indian boy), Dasun Anurangana (Naga Raksha dancer), Thushara Priyanjith, Dasun Anurangana (Chief acrobats), Dimuthu Chanaka, Dasun Anurangana (Drummers) with Shevanka Fernando, Shahi Kamileen and Shehani Gunesekare

Make a note in your diary!
Pyramus & Thisby by CentreStage Productions
Dates: November 10 - 12, 2006
Venue: St. Joseph's College Quadrangle, Colombo 10
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Adapted, directed and choreographed by: Jehan Aloysius
Music composed by: Jehan Aloysius
Lighting by: Thushan Dias
Music performed by: Avanti Perera and Jehan Aloysius
Tickets at: Cargills Food City outlets – Staple Street, Colpetty, Nawala, Kirulapone and Mount Lavinia

Shehan (Oberon): “I have done a few dramas when I was in school but never done dance… Jehan discovered I could dance as well! We play off each other and learn from each other.”		Anabella (Peaseblossom): “I have seen a few versions of the play and they have involved a lot of acting, in comparison to what we will be doing, which will be more physical and dance theatre…”