Once upon a time we made fun of each other
View(s):Jith and his cast are ready once more with the evergreen, ‘He Comes From Jaffna’
He Comes From Jaffna was written in the early 1900’s…a time when it was acceptable to poke fun at each other and laugh about our intrinsic community differences. When Professor E.F.C. Ludowyke wrote the play he wouldn’t have imagined that one day these jokes would no more be considered as mere fun. How could he? Those were the days when Sri Lanka was a land of united communities vibrant in their diversity.
Jith (right) with Anuruddha Fernando
Veteran Director Jith Peiris himself is quite aware that the play’s humour may be de rigeur now. He has to face the tricky task of staging a play most loved for its satire yet presenting it so as not to offend anyone. So he’s chosen to go with Ernest MacIntyre’s adaptation of ‘He Comes From Jaffna’, a slightly more politically correct version of the original. Macintyre updated Ludowyke’s original to reflect the very much changed social values of today.
“I felt that the time was right for this play to return to stage once again,” says Jith, who last staged the original by Ludowyke in 2011. The much-loved masterpiece has made numerous appearances in local theatre, always funny and forever current in its core message.
The story begins when Cleveland Rajaratnam’s peaceful domesticity is unceremoniously turned upside down by his irrepressible brother-in-law Durai, on one of his rare and sanctimonious visits to Colombo. Cleveland’s son Raju is absorbed in the rather complicated process of proposing to the feisty Kamini Fernando. Durai’s son Aru is apprehensively trying to deal with failing his degree, his mounting debt crisis and worst of all, how to break the news to his father.
“Even though it was written almost 80 years ago it’s still an extremely popular play with audiences,” says Jith. “Right now-at this particular juncture-the timing is perfect to bring this production back to theatre.” It’s a beautiful story of how Sri Lanka was ethnically harmonious once upon a time, he adds. When the play goes on the boards at the Lionel Wendt from July 4 to 7, Jith hopes to remind local audiences of what we once used to be.
Returning to his role as Durai once more is Anuruddha Fernando, joined by Shehan Wijemanne and Michelle Herft in starring roles. Await our exclusive interviews with the Director and cast over the next few weeks!
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