“Comedy with a Cause” isn’t all about the laughs
View(s):The walls of the room are scattered with posters dating from 1993 onwards. The bold fonts and clean cut graphics would make them stand out today. They tell the story of this theatre company’s journey on stage – how since their inception the Performing Arts Company’s identity has been closely constructed around classic British comedies ranging from Peter Shaffer to Ray Cooney. Many will remember their hilarious The 39 Steps staged in 2013.
Next week the group will come together with the Inner Wheel Club of Colombo to present “Comedy with a Cause” an evening of dinner theatre. But the evening isn’t all about the laughs. “It’s a good mix,” says Arjuna Wignaraja, one of the Company’s senior members. The playlets for the evening will be full of highs and lows, laughs and a few poignant moments guaranteed to hold their audience. “It’s that Monty Python kind of humour” is how he describes their brand of drama.
The rehearsal is an interesting chaos of petticoats and door frames. Sean Amarasekara clambers up and down a ladder with comical angst, playing off Arjuna’s caricatured old English chap. Joining the group are newcomers Imanie Perera, Damien Fernando and Dmitri Gunatilleke. Well known to the theatre scene, the three young thespians hardly need any introduction.
Comedy with a Cause will take the stage on August 25 at 7.45 p.m. (Doors close at 
at the Grand Ballroom, Ramada Colombo.
Tickets priced at Rs. 6500 are available at the Ramada Colombo and Hermitage. The cast includes Mohamed Adamaly, Sean Amarasekera, Arjuna Wignaraja, Dimitri Gunatilleke, Imani Perera and Damien Fernando, directed by Nafeesa K. Amiruddeen. For further details contact 2505196/0722244110 or 2422001.