All set for witches, pirates and music

Cackling and chanting, the witches gather, hair dishevelled, grinning through toothless gaps, carrying snakes and lizards. The scene is set for a murder most foul, with the witches fuelling the raw ambition of human beings who yearn for greatness. The beauty behind which is hidden a scheming brain on how to achieve greatness, through the most heinous crime of killing not only an honoured guest but also one’s sovereign while in slumber, the hypocrisy, the clash of steel as sword fights erupt between the forces of good and evil and much more……..yes, it’s ‘Macbeth’.

Macbeth will be part of ‘ A Celebration of the Arts’– A night of Shakespeare, Music and Pirates that the students of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya will present next Sunday, October 14 at 6 p.m. This tragedy of William Shakespeare with all the elements of intrigue, human frailties and yearnings for power, will be brought alive by girls in the age group 14 to 17.

Hard at practice last week, the cast of 25 were being pushed to their best by teacher and Directress Samantha de Alwis, who herself is a well-known face in theatre and drama in the city.

The evening of thunder and lightning will showcase a three-in-one performance, starting off with ‘Peggy the pint sized Pirate’ who competes with veterans wearing eye-patches and all. The beer barrels are aplenty as are the treasure chests, with the pirates sporting t-shirts with the skull and cross-bones.

In the cast of 31 are girls as young as 11 who have got a rare chance in a senior school performance to take their place on stage, says Minelle Fernandez who is directing Peggy.

And the two dramas will be interspersed with music, as the choir will set toes a-tapping with a musical collage which will include classical (Mozart and Bach), jazz as well as spiritual. Choreographed by Andre David, the choir’s favourite ‘So yesterday’, the rock chart hit of Hilary Duff will go down well with our audiences, says Rapti Fernando who trains the choir.

For gripping drama and good music, next Sunday should see you heading to the refurbished state-of-the-art auditorium by the sea. It’s sure to be an evening of enjoyment. The tickets priced at Rs. 1,000, Rs. 750, Rs. 500, Rs. 350 and Rs. 300 are available at the office of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya.