Be it laughter, giggles, knowing smiles or raised eyebrows ‘Presidents, Promiscuity & Pineapples!’ delivers all. The absolute must-see written and directed by Abbasali Rozais is full of scandal, humor and gasp-worthy commotion.
A remake of the same, performed in 2010, this sidesplitting production is back by popular demand. “It was received well in the previous run and everyone who missed it will want to watch it. Also those who watched it in 2010 wants to see it again.” explained a smiling Abbasali. Like the alliteration used for the title suggests the tale is spun around presidential candidates, promiscuous relationships and jugs full of pineapple juice.
Playwright Abbasali Rozais discovered his love and passion for theatre as a child and has been writing plays since the age of thirteen. After his first full length production ‘Clueless’ in 2005, Abbasali returned with great success in 2010 with the first performance of ‘Presidents, Promiscuity & Pineapples’. While discussing the very current and everyday issues, the play is also a reflection on the culture of hush-hushing things when they are actually in total disarray.
The company has changed substantially with just three or four of the original group remaining. “The cast this time is mature and more experienced. It works well with the play.” said Indu Dharmasena, a member of the original troupe.
The at-ease atmosphere and the informal rehearsals make it easier for the actors to get in character. Ruwendi Wakwella playing Anusha the secretary added “The play is really comic and it helps that we are friends. Things are extremely casual and everyone has a good time rehearsing. It’s actually quite fun. We end up laughing all the time. I am really looking forward to the performance. We are all very excited.”
The plot is just as entertaining as the performance. Ajith Kebethigollawa is a presidential candidate in the upcoming election. He is running against his good friend Upali Wijeratne. They were in school and university together and are now family friends. Despite all this they are determined to beat each other for the office of President of Sri Lanka.
The story begins with the opinion polls putting Ajith in the lead with his slogan, ‘Everything to give, nothing to gain!’ With three days to go for the presidential elections a family wedding with Nihal Godamunne, Ajith’s campaign manager driving her to the airport. Ajith, the protagonist of the play, has planned to spend the next few days in the company of his new found love ‘interest’ Patricia Perera [affectionately known as PP] at his private residence.
What was to be a under the radar, romantic retreat for the leading candidate turns into a whirlwind of disaster when opposition candidate Upali Wijeratne winds up dead in disguise, on his sofa. Add to that the return of a bossy wife whose flight was cancelled due to a volcanic eruption, the barging in of a typical, nosy, unannounced parent, a mouthy, steadily getting drunk PP, a recently hired, trainee secretary tripping over her own feet in the midst of her clumsy mishaps, a persistent and rebellious son insisting on marrying his true love, aka the daughter of the dead opposition leader and an awkward interview with a journalist from the Times of London.
The knee slapping laughter and the cheery shouts will continue as ‘gamey’ fellow Piyadasa, the loyal yet foolish man servant tries to learn English while serving the whole village Pineapple juice made from the entire stock of pineapples that arrived from Ajith’s pineapple estate. Enjoy the endless humor and explore the trivialities of life with ‘Presidents, Promiscuity & Pineapples!’ presented by the Fine Arts Productions, from June 17 -19 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre from 7.30pm onwards. Box plan and tickets are available at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.
Cast in order
of appearance
INDU DHARMASENA as Ajith Kebethigollawa
SANWADA DHARMASENA as Ramani Kebethigollawa
SANJEEWA WEERASINGHE as Piyadasa
ABBASALI ROZAIS as Nihal Godamunne
RUWENDI WAKWELLA as Anusha
KRYS SOSA as Patricia Perera
CHARENDRA DAHANAYAKE as Upali Wijeratne
SOHAN RATHNAYAKE as Alan Kebethigollawa
WASAAM ISMAIL as Suren Kebethigollawa
GEHAN COORAY as Dick Babcock
OSHINI GUNAWARDANA as Achini Wijeratne |
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