A night of inspiring plays
View(s):Sunera Foundation presents Samanalayaya
By Shaveen Jeewandara
They laughed and sang and had the audience in stitches with their humour. The packed house at the Lionel Wendt was bestowed with a performance to remember by the actors of the ‘Sunera Foundation’, which for years has done inspiring work with the differently-abled.
There was nothing different about the plays, nobody heaved a sympathetic sigh nor did they have to make an effort to applaud louder than usual – for it was a time to relax and be entertained by the talented performers who knitted together, ‘Samanalayaya’ – a beautiful collection of short-plays.
Pix by Susantha Liyanawatte
The night kicked off with a Pooja Dance by the dancers of the Dehiwela workshop, choreographed by Beshmika Krishani and Udan Wijeyamuni, welcoming the audience.
The first performance of the night, ‘Stolen Dreams (Heena Aragena)’, was by the actors of the Thalawa Workshop, scripted, directed and choreographed by Thanuja Wijeywickreme. The play is set in an institution for young female orphans, run by a ruthless Madame. As the story unfolds we see the miserable conditions they live in.
However, they bring in a sing-song atmosphere to their daily chores to keep their spirits up. This was a play with a powerful message, livened up with emotional and occasionally hilarious acts. The play ended with the Madame being arrested and the cheeky Inspector Ralahamy won the hearts of all.
Next up was the ‘Goggle Box (Wasangatha Pettiya)’, performed by actors from the Imaduwa Workshop, trained and directed by Menaka Priyadarshana. Depicting the ways in which television has influenced our daily lives, with the actors peeping through a cardboard TV as they brought to life snippets of reality shows, pirith chanting, to cookery programmes (with popular namesake chefs), and workout programmes, they had the audience roaring with laughter.
A fusion dance act by the Horagolla workshop, choreographed by Premila Ratnayake, Sandun Bandara, Buddhini Chandrasena and Watsala Waruni followed with hilariously accurate impersonations of famous dancers, complete with the moon-walk.
The final play delivered a timely message, asking everyone to be stakeholders in bettering life on Earth. ‘Green Friends (Sathaka Sita)’, was by the actors of the Dehiwela workshop, the play scripted, directed and choreographed by Beshmika Krishani and Udan Wijeyamuni. The opening scene was a party, where people throw around cups and plates amid some side-splitting dancing. Events unfold, as an odorous mist engulfs the Earth and the gods come down to teach the humans how to rectify their mistakes, ending however on a positive note.
The final bow was special. It was a heart-warming moment when one of the actors got confused as to which side of the stage she should get down from, and another came up, held her hand, and they walked off the stage together. It brought home the message and the Sunera Foundation’s unswerving commitment to bringing the differently abled into society.
Donations to the Sunera Foundation could be made to the account ‘Sunera Foundation’ at the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, account number 1500001919.
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus