‘It’s a laugh’
Jith Peiris is back. His forte being British comedies, this time the well-known director and producer is ready with another popular comedy, “No Sex Please We’re British”, a two act drama so slick and fast-paced, the cast has a hard time not to burst out laughing at their own dialogue.
The cast: Having a ball. Pix by Mangala Weerasekera
They’ve been hard at practice these past few weeks and for many new members of the cast, this is the first time they are being directed by Jith –an experience they consider quite an honour. The story revolves around a newly-married couple Peter and Frances Hunter, who get drawn into a messy situation because of a mail order mix-up. In the mail comes a load of pornographic material from pictures to magazines and films and the story reaches a climax when two adult entertainers turn up at their flat. The twist in the tale is how the couple along with their fidgety friend Brian Runnicles try to keep all the chaos away from Peter’s mother Eleanor, the bank manager Mr. Bromhead, the police officer as well as the visiting bank inspector.
Anabella Brochard, who has been on stage since she was 14 plays the young wife Frances Hunter. She has always liked British humour and enjoys working with Jith. Since her fiancé proposed to her the day before her auditions, she says she fell into the character of the newly married girl quite easily and can relate to what Frances is going through.
Peter Hunter is given life by Kanishka Herat, a former Peterite who works with the theatrical groups, ‘Silent Hands’ and ‘Theatre Junction’. He says although the title of the play may imply that the play is more adult in content, it can be enjoyed by the whole family. Anurudha Fernando (of He Comes From Jaffna fame) makes a guest appearance as Superintendent Paul of the local Police. Anurudha has been in several of Jith’s productions and has been in theatre for more than 20 years. Here Anurudha delivers a cameo performance with only three entrances which is quite a change from his usual three and a half hours on stage roles. And still he manages to build up the crescendo of the play with his entrances.
He won the Best Supporting Actor award at Shakespeare drama competition last year with the Ananda College performance of “Much Ado about Nothing” so despite being the youngest member of the cast, Nadun Dissanayake, who plays Brian Runnicles, the couple’s confidant as well as the chief cashier in the bank where Peter works, is no stranger to the stage. “Mr. Runnicles is a nervous, fidgety character who overreacts to everything. His quick actions are what get the couple into this mess in the first place. I’m the catalyst in the drama,” Nadun says.
Eleanor Hunter is Peter’s mother. She is an uppity and proper English lady, so naturally, the young couple is trying their best to keep the problem out of sight. Imani Perera who always wanted to play the role of a stereo typical mother-in-law says it was a dream come true for her when she was chosen as Eleanor. She had been in theatre from her schooldays at St. Bridget’s Convent as well as at the Colombo University.
The cast: Having a ball. Pix by Mangala Weerasekera
“This is a typical woman who takes pride in her son whom she has brought up single handed and believes that the girl isn’t good enough for him. She is obviously overstaying her welcome in the house but she’s quite thick about it. It’s hilarious how this big character is smack in the middle of a mess and yet she knows nothing about what’s happening around her. Although quite past her glory days she enjoys flirting with the bank manager, Mr. Bromhead,” Imani says. Leslie Bromhead, the district manager of the bank is portrayed by Abbasali Rozais. A director and playwright in his own right, his ‘Presidents, Promiscuity and the Pineapples’ was quite a hit in 2010 and 2011. Mr. Bromhead is a widower who is trying to replace his lost wife and enjoys flirting with Peter’s mother. He plays a pompous Brit, a role Abbasali says isn’t very remarkable but helps to build the play.
Arnold Needham, the bank inspector who ends up at the flat right in the middle of the chaos is played by Avishka de Alwis, also of ‘Silent Hands’ who has been in ‘Christmas Wish’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes’. This is his second production with Jith. Susan and Bobby are the two adult entertainers; Trinushka Perera portrays Susan and Eraj Gunawardene does Bobby. Trinushka is equally at home in Sinhala and English theatre, getting her first lessons in acting from Namel Weeramuni. Eraj has been in theatre for the past four years and in this drama, provides the surprise laughs.
Asela Mendis, behind the scenes for many theatre productions, comes on stage with this drama as the delivery man. This is his third production with Jith.
Costumes are by Mali Dissanayake and the set is designed by Mano Chanmugam. “This is entertainment for the whole family. The story is fast moving and extremely hilarious. There’s nothing dated about the script and the language is quite simple. I believe everyone should come and watch this play because it is a very good example of British farce and relatively modern as well,” adds Jith.
“No Sex Please We’re British” will be staged from February 28 to March 02 at the Lionel Wendt from 7.30 p.m. onwards. Tickets priced at Rs. 2000, 1,500, 1000, 800 and 500 are available at the Lionel Wendt theatre.