Stellar personalities to pay tribute to great entertainer

"A Tribute to Jith Peiris' to be held at the Bishop's College Auditorium on November 21, at 7 p.m. promises to be an evening of exceptional entertainment. Organised by Jith's friends in the performing arts, the show will feature many stellar personalities who will come together to pay tribute to the great entertainer.

"He is a person who has dedicated his whole life to the theatre and the arts," says dancer Khema who has been associated with Jith for many years.

Oosha Saravanamuttu whose students will be performing at the concert echoed similar sentiments. "He was such a great actor," she says hoping that this concert will show Jith how much they all appreciate his contribution to theatre.

Another dancer who shared a good rapport with Jith was Menik Neydorf whose group will perform at the event. Over the past six years Menik has choreographed for two shows that Jith produced at S. Thomas College. Other than that she has worked with him for a Christmas show and the Musical 'Down South.' "He was so dedicated to the theatre that he would travel to Bentota to train animators every weekend," Menik reminiscing about their conversations that touched on all subjects - cricket, sports and politics says. Mary Anne and Andrew David have had a long association with Jith Peiris that began in the mid '80s. Jith worked with them on musical tracks for various shows and they in turn worked with him on his shows. "He was a balanced performer," Andrew David says, adding that like other theatrical personalities Jith is not temperamental.

Andrew David remembers the short period of silence - in prayer that preceded all of Jith's shows. "It was a quality that revealed his humbleness," he says.

When Jith played President Roosevelt in 'Annie get your gun' he was constantly teased during rehearsals for not knowing his lines. "He had written key words on his wrist," Andrew David laughs. But most of all, Jith is remembered by the couple for his generosity. The senior group of Mary An Singers will be performing two items at the concert.

Although he never got a chance to work with him, Ravibandu has known Jith Peiris for over 10 years and always looked up to him as a person who encouraged amateurs in the trade.

For the 21st, Ravi and his troupe will be performing a small dance miniature based on the story of Judas. Ravi will be playing Judas, accompanied by six others to the music of the Second Symphony of Sibelius. "It portrays the feelings of Judas when he betrayed Jesus," Ravi explains.

Others performing at the show include Mohan Sudusinghe, Upeka, Shannon Raymond Dance Company, Shanelle Fernando and Ricky Bahar, Natasha Ratnayake and Noeline Honter.

Tickets priced at Rs. 2000, 1000, 500 and 300 are available at the Bishop's College auditorium.