In an effort that goes beyond creating art but building bridges between different audiences, Ruwanthie de Chickera’s theatre production ‘Kalumaali’ will have its most probable final show on November 23 and 24 at the Lionel Wendt stage. The play had a steady run to almost packed audience for nearly a year.

Ruwanthi de Chikera

Shortlisted for the 2012 Gratiaen Award, ‘Kalumaali: a fairy tale for grown-ups’ was presented both in Sinhala and English and since September last year it was performed to full houses, and has enjoyed box office success and critical acclaim in subsequent shows.

“Two generations ago there was an audience used for bilingual art, Sinhala and English. But during our generation we missed this opportunity. But I want to make art not only bilingual but even trilingual with same artistes performing in all three languages,” Ruwanthie described her bilingual theatrical effort. “This would be a great opportunity to mix the audience who uses different languages,” she said adding that it also has huge challenge for the players involved.

Kalumaali is a well-crafted drama that gives a realistic spin on the time-honoured tradition of story-telling; particularly fairy tales. In Kalumaali, the director uses this medium to turn the spotlight on parenting, and what it has become in modern times.

The story of Kalumaali is a much loved and often repeated fairy tale in seven-year-old Saki’s family. In fact, it is the one story that little Saki can never get enough of, because she knows that every time it is recited she can look forward to a new spin on it.

Through the different accounts of this fairy tale that Saki loves, we understand the complex and deep realities of the several adults in her life — and the interplay between them — which lead us to insights about the experience of bringing up children in present-day Sri Lanka.

The play is presented by Stages Theatre Group and was co-written by Ruwanthie de Chickera and Nadie Kammallaweera.
The cast is packed with talent, and includes Kaushalya Fernando, Nadie Kammallaweera, Lakmini Seneviratne, Miranga Ariyaratna, Juanita Beling, Gihan de Chickera, Jayampathi Guruge, Malshani Delgahapitiya, Shenali Rajkumar and child-actress Shyalina Muthumudalige in the role of Saki.

Kalumaali will be performed in Sinhala on Saturday November 23 at 7.00 pm and in English on Sunday November 24 at 7.30 pm. There will be a special students’ show on Sunday (24) at 3.30 pm. Tickets are priced at Rs. 1000, 800, 500 and 300 (balcony) and can be purchased from the venue. The show is sponsored by Dialog Enterprise and co-sponsored by Commercial Bank and Rithihi.