Dhananjaya Karunarathne’s ‘Sihina Rangahala’ at Elphinstone
View(s):- ‘Theatre of Dreams’ discusses social realities
A collection of short stage plays with a deep study on Sri Lanka’s social and political situation, ‘Sihina Rangahala’ – Theatre of Dreams, written and directed by Dananjaya Karunaratne, will go on the boards today, July 27 at 3.30 pm. and 7.00 pm. at Elphinstone Theatre Colombo 10.
The festival includes plays ‘Valentine Enakan’ (Awaiting Valentine), ‘Last Bus Eke Kathawa’ (The Story of the Last Bus), ‘Chandrawathie Samaga Rathriyak’ (A Night with Chandrawathi), ‘Duwana un Dennek’ (Two People on the Run), and ‘Oba Sapekshai’, all award winners at both the State and Youth Drama Festivals. Karunarathne’s concept of ‘Theatre Against the Audience’ challenges traditional theatre norms by actively engaging and confronting the audience. This approach aims to provoke introspection and a deeper emotional response, making the audience feel personally involved in the narrative. Dhananjaya Karunaratne is regarded as one of the most experimental and influential theatre practitioner in contemporary Sri Lankan theatre.
Some of the plays in Sihina Rangahala, like Last Bus Eka Kathawa, have been translated into English and Italian and have toured many countries.
This collection of five plays has been published as a book, which will be available at the theatre.
The cast in ‘Sihina Rangahala’ includes Sanath Wimalasiri, Sulochana Weerasinha, Ama Wijeysekara, Pradeep Ramawicrama, Dimuthu Cinthaka, Chamal Ranasinghe, and Mihiri Priyangani.
Music direction for all the dramas is by Kapila Poogalaarachchi, with lighting design by Chandana Aluthge and make-up by Sumedha Hewawitharana. Stage management is by Pramodh Edirisinghe, Kasun Fernando, and Sachinthana Dolaphihilla, while costumes will be by Dananjaya himself. Jude Srimal is the organiser of ‘Sihina Rangahala’ and tickets are available at the Theatre gates on the day of the show and on online at myseat.lk.
(SRF)
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