Kumi has simply got to tie the knot with one of her four cousins. Well, she can always opt out of it, but at quite a cost – she’ll have to reconcile herself to not inheriting her late adoptive father’s wealth, which will instead be donated to a stray animals’ fund! Indu Dharmasena is back [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Finding that correct match

By Shalomi Daniel
Next to hit the stage a romantic comedy, It’s All or Nothing, Indu’s take on Georgette Heyer’s novel, Cotillion
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Kumi has simply got to tie the knot with one of her four cousins. Well, she can always opt out of it, but at quite a cost – she’ll have to reconcile herself to not inheriting her late adoptive father’s wealth, which will instead be donated to a stray animals’ fund!

Indu Dharmasena is back with his latest production – ‘It’s All or Nothing’, a romantic comedy, which promises to have the audience in stitches as the story of Kumi and her suitors evolves. Based on Georgette Heyer’s novel, Cotillion, Indu first wrote the script back in the 1980s.

However, since cables and telegrams have long ceased to be the fastest mode of communication, with the advent of Facebook, Skype and advanced methods of communication, the script had to be revamped.

“Apart from these changes the script is the same,” says Indu adding that he found that the 18th century society presented in Georgette Heyer’s Cotillion, was adaptable to a Sri Lankan setting.

He is simply thrilled with the characters, especially the five nephews – Nihal, Kamal, Jagath, Rehan and Priyan – who have different and interesting personalities, and Kumi’s domineering and socialite aunt, ‘Auntie Lala’ who is determined that her son Jagath should make a match with Kumi.

“It gives me a chance to explore different aspects of her personality,” says Mrinali Thalgodapitiya who plays the role of Auntie Lala, adding with a laugh, “and perhaps I can bring out a part of me that I wouldn’t usually show in real life!”
However, Auntie Lala’s efforts to pair off Kumi and Jagath, might prove futile, as Jagath has his eyes on Brenda, the Burgher girl from Kandy, who is also heads over heels in love with him.

“It’s the ideal odd couple,” says Ruwendi Wakwella who is enjoying getting in to the character of ‘Brenda’ who is portrayed as a kindly soul, who is also the only person in the play who knows just how to wheedle Jagath into abandoning his hiding place behind the couch, which he resorts to whenever his domineering mother appears on the scene!

Portrayed as very practical as well as a strong and confident girl, Kumi, played by Sanwada Dharmasena, would love to help Jagath and Brenda get together.

“Kumi has a huge crush on Rehan who is also her father’s favourite nephew,” explains Sanwada. She has only two weeks from the day the will is read to make her final decision as to who will be her bridegroom. Therefore, Kumi calls to her aid, her cousin Priyan, who is not interested in his late uncle’s wealth, to help contact Rehan who is overseas and unaware of the latest developments on the home front.

A play full of surprising twists and an array of interesting characters. Pix by Mangala Weerasekera

Full of surprising twists and Indu’s trademark humour, the play also subtly brings out the family skirmishes, forced choices and aspirations of climbing the social ladder prevalent in any society.

“It is fun working with this nutty bunch,” smiles Sanwada as bursts of laughter fill the room as the literature loving ‘Auntie Rita’ flirts with the family lawyer who looks quite perplexed as he makes a weak attempt to carry out the legal obligations concerning the will.

Also portrayed in the play are Nihal and Kamal – brothers possessing quite contrasting personalities. The very serious and ‘proper’ Nihal who is married, and devoted to his wife, decides to pressurize his brother Kamal into courting Kumi.

And so the play unravels and Kumi is at her wits’ end trying to secure the one man she loves, while the boys find themselves voluntarily or involuntarily chasing after the wealth left by the late Charles Suduwella – a wealthy philanthropist and Kumi’s adoptive dad.

Who wins the price – the fair lady’s hand and the wealth remains to be seen when ‘It’s All or Nothing’ goes on the boards on November 9, 10 and 11 at 7.30 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt. Tickets can be purchased at the Wendt.




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