There’s mayhem at Bishop’s College. “Put a bunch of 11-14 year olds together and what do you expect,” grins Claire De Silva, teacher in charge of drama and director of the school’s latest production – ‘Shake, Ripple and Roll’. “This has been my life for the last 45 years,” Claire beams, looking around at the [...]

The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Action, intrigue and dancing

Set in a 1950’s ice cream parlour in New York, Bishop’s College’s production ‘Shake, Ripple and Roll’ will feature a variety of characters and a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack
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There’s mayhem at Bishop’s College. “Put a bunch of 11-14 year olds together and what do you expect,” grins Claire De Silva, teacher in charge of drama and director of the school’s latest production – ‘Shake, Ripple and Roll’.

Claire De Silva

“This has been my life for the last 45 years,” Claire beams, looking around at the assorted bunch of adolescents having a ball around her. Claire, together with Beatrice Devasagayam (who has also been with the school for 45 years, and contributes as the director of music for the play), have been running the school’s active drama department for as long as anyone can remember.

This production follows hot on the heels of the school’s last production ‘Anne of Green Gables’; only this time, the cast is made up of the intermediate section of the school. Claire says that it’s a grooming process of sorts, what with the girls growing up and moving onto the more serious Shakespeare circuit. ‘Shake, Ripple and Roll,’ an adapted screenplay by Jenifer Toksvig with music by David Perkins, organisers feel is ideal for the age group. There’s plenty of action, intrigue and dancing in hand to keep the girls occupied. 

It’s 1956, and in a suburb outside New York, Angelo’s Ice Cream Parlour is the place to be. It’s a place you’re probably unlikely to find these days, says Luxmi Wijeyanatham who plays Chuck-a smooth ‘gangster’ who likes hanging out with the cute waitresses at Angelo’s. Kids meet up over their shakes and ice cream, chilling to music from the old jukebox in the corner. Things begin to go awry when Angelo suddenly passes away and movie star Deanna la Domme sweeps in, claiming ownership over the parlour.

“My character is very sophisticated,” says Shania Klyn, who plays Deanna. Aaliyah Jabbar plays Mr. Cohen, the grumpy but secretly softhearted manager of the ice cream parlour. He hires Dirk Mandley, a private investigator played by Anagi Fernando to look into the matter. “Dirk thinks he’s super cool,” Anagi laughs. “Private investigator and all.” Into the mayhem falls homeless Joey Nobody who is employed at the parlour. Kavya De Silva plays Joey and tells us that Joey might seem like a nobody, but he actually plays an important role in the story. 

Cast of ‘Shake, Ripple and Roll’ . Pix by Nilan Maligaspe

Lahari Jayatileke, Christiana Perera, Tara Sela and Ruvindee Fernando play the role of the four waitresses with hilarious names like ‘Pumpkin’, ‘Honey’ and ‘Peaches’. Neesandi Wickramanayake plays Dirk’s sidekick while Isuri Dharamsiriwardena is Chuck’s sidekick. Kyasha Boteju and Nabeela Thasleem form Deanna’s erstwhile entourage, forever harried by the star’s demanding personality.

‘Shake, Ripple and Roll’ is not just about the story- it’s about the lively dance sequences and rock ’n’ roll numbers by the parlour’s patrons. Jhannick De Silva and Rushali Fernando are behind the play’s choreography. ‘Shake Ripple and Roll’ happens on October 24 and 25 at the Bishop’s College Auditorium from 7.30 pm.

 

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