| Everyday acts that the majority of us do with ease are a major challenge to a differently abled person. Preparing them to get on the stage and take part in an hour-long play is an even bigger challenge to the trainers but with the right attitude and determination, the team at ThIDORA has made this a reality.
More than 30 alternatively abled children will take the stage at John De Silva Hall in Colombo on January 8 at 6.45 p.m. to perform "Teiyat Ta", a play based on a narrative poem written by German playwright and theatrical reformer Bertold Brecht and adapted as a Sinhala playscript by Prof. Sunanda Mahendra.
For Prof. Mahendra and several others working with children with special needs for the first time was a memorable experience. "This play sends out an important message which is that if one is determined, a person can achieve anything they set out to achieve," said Prof.Mahendra.
The play has been adapted to suit the abilities of the cast and revolves around the character of a prophet who leaves his country, frustrated by the misdeeds and corruption taking place around him. His people do their best to persuade him to stay but the prophet sets off on his journey and on the way meets with a guard at a checkpoint.
During their brief conversation, the prophet realises that the guard is hungry for knowledge and imparts his own thinking on subjects such as wealth, power, hatred and kindness. The guard absorbs the teachings and with the assistance of his wife compiles a book setting out what he has learnt. The Prophet then realises he has succeeded in imparting his knowledge to a person of another land and decides to leave for his own country and serve his people.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of ThIDORA Kalasuri Rohana Deva and the Creative Directress of the Institute Ramani Damayanthi have used their vast experience in working with differently abled children to put together a play that has some wonderful performances from the actors.
The narrator of the play is Susanga Kahadawalaarachchi while Anura Fonseka plays the role of the Prophet.
"Teiyat Ta" is directed by Prof. Mahendra and Kalasuri Rohana Deva, choreographed by Ramani Damayanthi, with music by Gayan Gankanda, low country-dance taught by Karunadasa Olaboduwa, lyrics by Jayanpathi Algama and Rohana Deva and costumes and makeup by Prema Jayantha Kapuge.
ThIDORA, the Theatre Institute for Disability Oriented Research and Advocacy at Thalawatugoda works with children with varying sorts of disabilities including Down's syndrome, Autism and attempts to integrate them into society. |
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