Cast characterisations
Cast of Ed Lang’s ‘Sherlock Holmes’ Secret Life’, talk about their roles with the Mirror Magazine
What makes mastermind sleuth Sherlock Holmes who he is? All the clues point to the Lionel Wendt this coming weekend, when Silent Hands Productions stage ‘Sherlock Holmes’ Secret Life’, the untold back-story of the celebrated detective by Ed Lang.
Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Last week, we made some headway in the case of the perfect cast when we spoke to Directors Jehan Bastians and Neidra Williams about their plans for the production. This week, follow up investigations lead us to the spacious home of the couple in Gangodawila where the cast and crew are knee deep in rehearsals. Jehan and Neidra have already told us that this is a premeditated cast of sorts-the duo held on to the script for five years before deciding that the time and people were right to stage the play. Here the ‘perfect cast’ speak to the Mirror Magazine about their roles and what makes them tick.
Kanishka Herat has perhaps one of the most defining roles in the play as Watson . “It’s most certainly not your stereotypical Watson,” he says. “The Watson in the novels has always been portrayed as mildly intimidated by Holmes and very much his second hand. This character is markedly different.” While this Watson is also very supportive of his friend’s undertakings it’s a relationship based on mutual respect, says Kanishka. “Essentially, Watson is still the same. But how he reacts to Holmes is what I like; he’s not playing second fiddle.”
Kanishka likes the idea of the mild competition between Watson and Holmes for the attentions of the mysterious Miss Smith, played by Roshni Gunaratne. Marina Smith might look like your stereotypical damsel in distress but she’s full of surprises, says Roshni. “While she looks very innocent, there’s this aura of mystery around her. It’s very intriguing-makes you wonder if she’s all that she seems to be.” Roshni finds inspiration from the many facets of Marina’s character. “In some ways she fits into the mould of the women at that time (late 1800’s) but then she’s also very strong and independent.” Is Marina a suspect or an accomplice? That’s something you’ll have to watch the play to find out.
Andre Perera’s biggest challenge in portraying Holmes’ arch nemesis, Professor James Moriarty, lies in cracking the code to “being evil, but not laughably evil.” To demonstrate further he launches into an impression of the bumbling, hand rubbing villain of Meet the Robinsons; if it ever comes to that point that’s when Andre will hang up his theatrical coat tails. It’s a challenge because Sherlock’s Secret Life is a thriller comedy-“which means I have to be two things. Funny-and evil, scarily evil.”
Moriarty may be Sherlock’s rival, but the two need each other, says Andre. “Sherlock needs a challenge and Moriarty gives that to him. In that sense I think they feed off each other.” Anuruddha Fernando is ‘old Watson’, the narrator for the evening. He finds the play and his character a refreshing change from what he’s used to. “Old Watson is a bitter man. He wallows in how life has treated him…this story is something he feels he needs to get off his chest.” As a professional in the fast paced advertising industry Anuruddha is finding all these rehearsals ‘very chilled’, something he’s thriving on.
Marking a return to the stage after a 16 year hiatus is Viran Corea as Inspector Lestrade. Viran took a break from theatre in 1997 to focus on becoming a lawyer and “life as I know it ended,” he laughs. Since then he’s been on a quest to reclaim it and this return is something of a delightful escapade for him. Viran knows that his character is essentially a good guy with a penchant for the unsavoury. “Let’s put it this way.
Lestrade represents a certain sense of bureaucracy and over confidence very common in the public sector. He realizes he may not be able to solve a problem without turning to the ample resources of the private sector-in this case Holmes.” The friendship between Holmes and Lestrade is one built on rivalry and a slight undercurrent of competition, he adds. As for being back on stage-“It’s like riding a bicycle. There are some teething problems but you never forget!”
Neidra herself is back to basics with Mrs. Hudson – Holmes’ housekeeper. Here’s another character Lang chose to cast differently- Mrs. Hudson is an intuitive woman, says Neidra. “In the books she’s more of a cameo role. In the play, she’s integral to the case. Mrs. Hudson is an intelligent woman and maybe a little advanced for her time.” It’s clearly a role Neidra relishes, and for good reason. “I love what Lang has done with the female characters-we’re very three dimensional,” she says. “It’s a very fast paced story but all the characters are given equal weight.” It’s a family affair, with Lauren Williams-Bastians taking on the role of old Watson’s Nurse Molly. At the age of 11 Lauren knows exactly what she wants in life. “I love the thrill and excitement of being on stage,” we’re told. “It’s a challenge, and I like challenges because it brings out the best in me.”
And of course, amidst them all is Shanaka Amarasinghe as Sherlock Holmes. A lawyer and radio personality, Shanaka was cast by Jehan more for his personality than any physical resemblance to the Holmes of mainstream media. “They needed someone very quick witted,” he grins. “Sherlock is very multi-faceted. Yes, he can be a little condescending in how he treats others but you can also tell that he has a certain grudging respect for people like Watson.” There is one person that Holmes acknowledges his intellectual equal in the play, says Shanaka. But he’s not about to tell us who that is-make a trip to the Wendt this weekend and you’ll understand why this is the case that made Sherlock what he is in popular culture. As for the final verdict-is the perfect cast necessarily the perfect play? -we’ll let you be the judge of that!
Ed Lang’s Sherlock Holmes’ Secret Life will be staged on June 14, 15 and 16 from 7.30 p.m. onwards at the Lionel Wendt. Tickets priced at Rs. 1,500, 1,000, 750 and 500 . The box plan is now available at the Wendt.
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus