Leading playwright brings wit, sophistication to the stage
View(s):- Indu Dharmasena and his troupe return with The Leading Man
By Shannon Salgadoe
At the heart of the play is Premkumar, portrayed by Indu himself, a celebrated actor adored by his fans yet strangely unrewarded by his peers. Known for his roles as the evergreen romantic hero, Premkumar is confronted during a media interview about his career, his superficial choice of roles, and his mysterious past. The play and its main character were inspired by the local and Indian film industries, where popular actors and actresses continue to play the hero or heroine despite their age.
“Premkumar is basically a vain man who is very self-centred, but at the same time, he manages to get the people behind him,” says Indu.
Premkumar’s long-term personal assistant, Michelle, played by Sanwada Dharmasena, has the challenging role of keeping his public image intact. As described by Sanwada, Michelle is the ultimate damage-control expert, constantly navigating the chaos created by Premkumar’s impulsive remarks and lack of diplomacy. “It’s not very different from real life,” jokes Indu, who is married to Sanwada off the stage.
Tenacious investigative journalist Kamala puts the famous actor on the spot in her relentless pursuit of the truth – something that could shatter his carefully constructed persona of youth and desirability. As the interview is interrupted by other characters and revelations unfold, the play exposes the lengths to which stars will go to preserve their fame. “It’s unlike any other role I’ve played,” says Priyanka Holsinger, who portrays Kamala. “I’ve played a dreamy aunty and a gossip and different roles like that, but never a character as intense as Kamala, who is very intent on getting her information.”
The play also features other characters who bring their own dynamics to the ensemble. Michael Holsinger portrays confirmed old bachelor Uncle Peter, Anuruddha Fernando the script-writing Doctor Sean Fernando while Michelle Herft reprises her role as Geethani, an ageing actress and diva, a role she previously played in 2005.
Shemaiah Ratnayake plays the 24-year-old Amaya, who has arrived in Sri Lanka with her own agenda. While the rest of the cast has previously worked with Indu, The Leading Man marks Shemaiah’s first time in one of his plays.
A mainstay of Sri Lankan theatre, Indu has written over 65 plays, and directed many from takes on Shakespearean drama to musicals (Camelot, My Fair Lady, Beauty and the Beast) and iconic comedies such as Run for Your Wife and the popular Tommiya series. “In all my plays, I try to ensure that each character goes on a journey,” explains Indu. “They start as one person, and by the end, they’ve evolved in some way.” His aim, at one point, was to write continuously, often drawing inspiration from everyday incidents related to him by people. Inspired by playwrights such as Shakespeare, he finds the humour and situations easily adaptable to Sri Lankan society. “It’s the characters that make the play. The setting and times may change, but those characters and their basic behaviour haven’t changed.”
Originally written as a two-act play with multiple scene changes, The Leading Man reflected a pre-digital media world, where stories unfolded over days rather than in real time. For this revival, Indu has streamlined it into a single-act production, intensifying its pace and immediacy. The changes also reflect contemporary media culture –instantaneous, unforgiving and always on display.
What sets The Leading Man apart is its balance of wit and sophistication. As Anuruddha notes, it is not slapstick or over-the-top comedy but rather a refined, situational humour that relies on sharp dialogue and character interaction.
With its experienced cast, fresh yet familiar narrative and Indu’s hallmark humour, The Leading Man promises an evening of laughter and relatability for the whole family.
Searching for that next furry family member but couldn’t find one in your area? Hitad.lk has the solution with our extensive listings of dogs for sale in Sri Lanka!