Dhananjaya Karunarathne’s ‘Sihina Rangahala’ back in Punchi Theatre
View(s):The series of one act plays ‘Sihina Rangahala’ – Theatre of Dreams, written and directed by award winning dramatist Dananjaya Karunaratne, will go on the boards on Sunday, March 8 at Borella Punchi Theatre at 3.30 pm. and 6.45 pm.
The collection of short plays ‘Valentine Enakan’, ‘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’ were 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 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 can be purchased at the theatre.
The cast featured in the dramas 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 will be the chief organiser of ‘Sihina Rangahala’.
Tickets are available at the Theatre gates on the day of the show and via online through myseat.lk.
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