Going an extra mile past humour
View(s):The latest production by ‘Silent Hands’ will see the group exchange slapstick for romance in their new comedy ‘Nobody’s Perfect or Love is All Around’
By: Shaveen Jeewandara
Poor Steve has found his way into a quandary that will take quite some untangling. It’s not the fact that his wily father has been thrown out of the old people’s home, and has landed on his doorstep, nor is it because his teenage daughter is puffing away on cigarettes – Steve De Zilva’s dream of becoming a writer hangs in the balance, as the only publishing house interested in his book is feminist. In a twisted turn of events Steve pulls a ‘Mrs.Doubtfire’ act, hoping to woo the publisher. As the pendulum swings from ‘shirt’ to ‘blouse’, he finds out that there’s more to it than just dressing up as a woman. Eventually being confronted with the question: Seduce the publisher, or dress the part?
In a dimly lit dining room at the humble abode of Jehan Bastians and Neidra Williams, rehearsals are under way for their latest rip-roaring comedy – ‘Nobody’s Perfect or Love is All Around’. A play that aspires to go the extra mile past humour – giving new essence to ‘Silent Hands Productions’. The small cast of young actors bustle with energy as they move around the sofas, shifting into their acting space, eagerly watched upon by Jehan who quips in with the occasional, “no no, it should be more like this!” – Naturally followed up with a hearty demonstration.
Kanishka Herat, 22, who gives life to the ambivalent Steve De Zilva, has to hit the high- pitched feminine frequencies quite often, and does so with great consistency. However, the role of dressing up as a woman is quite a contrast to his previous roles. “It’s quite the challenge, and was definitely out of my comfort zone”, says Kanishka.
“But I suppose it helped not knowing about the role when I joined the play,” he laughs.
Being an old-Peterite, Kanishka has had the privilege of working with the dynamic duo, Jehan and Neidra, as they mentored the college’s drama team. However, it doesn’t go without saying that it’s big break in this budding actor’s career. “Theatre is my form of escapism”, he says with much enthusiasm.
Avishka De Alwis, 22, plays the role of Mike De Zilva – the devious grandfather who comes off as quite the flirt. Avishka too is an old-Peterite and has his roots soiled in the Inter-school Shakespeare competition, from which he has derived a great deal of knowledge. “It was back in 2008 that I had the opportunity of working inJith Peiris’ productions, and I continued from that point onwards”, he mentions. “They were mostly side-roles of course”, he laughs, telling us that Mike De Zilva is the refreshing experience he has been yearning for. Seeing Avishka shuffling and coughing his way around his role, we are assured that ‘Mike’ has really sunk in – complete with the flirty glint and cocky smile.
Adding charisma to the play, is Trinushka Perera, (20)’s character of a girl five years younger to her. “Abigail is the spoilt teen, smoking and what-not. Clearly high at any given time”, she says. “Teenagers these days, right?” she adds flippantly adding that it’s quite an audacious role.Trinushka is quite the happy camper herself, and apart from the smoking, looks like she has found a role that fits in with great ease.
Getting into the crux of the story, Neidra Williams, who plays the lovely Laurie, says that ‘Nobody’s Perfect or Love is All Around’ is a deviation from the plays that they have been directing at Silent Hands. “This is clearly not a slapstick comedy, rather a romantic comedy. A slightly different experience to us,” she tells us, at which point Jehan chips in saying that it’s “Actually a very different experience.”
“In all honesty, we were pretty fed up with the continuous cycle of slapstick. It sells, but on the long run it can get you boxed up,” Jehan tells us that experimentation was always on the cards. “Our lives always revolve around theatre. Even if we’re out at dinner; Theatre is the focal point, and this idea sprung up some time back.” Neidra was the driving force, whereas Jehan was slightly laidback about the whole idea. “It would prove to be quite the challenge,” he said. Relying on their instincts they drove the idea home.
“There is so much more characterisation,” Jehan adds, “The actors really get into their roles and are really keen on bringing out something more than just humour.”
Silent Hands began as group of theatre lovers working backstage for other directors who needed services such as stage management lighting and sound management.
“Nobody’s Perfect or Love is All Around” comes after highly successful plays such as “The Legend of Excalibur” in 2004, “Yes Hon. Minister”, in 2007 and their most recent hit, a classical rendition of “A Christmas Carol”. Riding on their past glory, Jehan, Neidra and the whole team at Silent Hands will break-a-leg and put on a show that will not only have you in stitches, but will leave you with something to ponder – for that’s what great theatre is all about.
“Nobody’s Perfect or Love is All Around” will be on at the Lionel Wendt from February 8-10, 2013
at 7.30 pm.
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