Colombo International Theatre Festival
Sri Lanka’s pioneering theatre personality and playwright Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra will be commemorated at the 3rd Colombo International Theatre Festival (CITF) which is to be started on March 27. Following the immense success on two previous occasions, the CITF this year will focus on the Centenary Memorial of Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra in addition to its other highlights like foreign theatrical experiences.
The Prof Sarachchandra commemoration ceremony will be held on March 28 and it will be followed by Prof. Sarachchandra’s masterpiece ‘Maname’ and is hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Arts. The rest of the programme includes the ‘Othello’ Dance Drama produced by Ravibandu Vidyapathi at 8 pm on March 28.
Shown daily at 3.30 and 6.30 pm the focus on international theatre will start with German production ‘Little Klaus, big Klaus’ directed by Taki Papacontantinou on March 29, Germany, ‘The Balancing Act’ (India) directed by Vidyanidhee Vanarase and ‘The Kathmandu Blues’ (Nepai) directed by Tanka Chaulagain on March 30, ‘72 Migrantes / Altar’ directed by Gilberto Guerrero (Mexico) on March 31, ‘The Transparent Trap’ (India) directed by ShrikantBhide March 1 and Parakrama Niriella’s ‘HunuwatayeKathawa’.
The ICTF is orgaised by the Interact theatre group started by internationally acclaimed playwright M. Safeer. “We are a cultural group called Inter Act Art who has been active in various cultural and art work for the last 22 years. We have already built an alternative theatre space by introducing the Black Box Theatre to Sri Lanka, having our own theatre house and conducting a theatre festival annually. We are registered cultural organization under the ministry of Culture and Arts and a member of the ASSETEJ INTERNATIONAL, Sri Lanka Section (Children’s and Young People’s Theatre Centre of Germany)” Safeer said.