A purrfect plot
Forget what you already know about the story ‘Puss in Boots’, because the students of Holy Family Convent (HFC) hope to reinvent the tale with a few twists in their latest production – “You’ve Got It Pussy Cat!!” Choosing songs that the children could relate to was important for musical director Rapti Fernando who felt music was what would get the children going – adding that the children had no problems adapting and even enjoyed learning older songs.
Packing in all the possible genres of dance – incorporating three generations of music in to one production was quite a task but she felt the students, had learnt alot in the process as well. “It took me back to when I was in school, learning and enjoying myself,” she says.
Choreographer for the production Wendy Perera has enjoyed working with the girls who have rhythm and enthusiasm which is all she needed to work with- “they were just lapping up the choreography,” making it possible to teach them somewhat complex moves, she explains.
Just mentioning the names Doris, Daisy and Dora to the 100 plus cast and crew is enough to send them into fits of giggles. Teshani Varusevitane who plays Doris admits that the three characters don’t really have any connection to the main story.
“But let’s just say we are there to make things interesting,” adds Nicola Pereira. Shilendree Seneviratne who is in grade 13 plays Harry- an unfortunate boy who is abandoned by his older brother following the death of their father. “I guess it works out for me though,” she smiles, getting to live the big dream on stage, she shares that the character Harry ends up as a billionaire.
Of course none of that would be possible if Harry hadn’t met Puss- played by Daniella Perera. Looking forward to getting onstage and just having fun, Daniella likes to think of herself as “neither cat nor human” when playing the infamous Puss. Studying for her O-Levels and pulling-off the lead in the play is not an easy task but school and teachers have been nothing short of supportive and she feels “the balancing is working out- I think I’ll manage.” Eighteen year old Nayomi Makalanda plays Margret the witch a character based on a significant political figure of the same name.
The tickets, souvenirs and costumes were conceptualised by the Design Club of HFC. Mitabi Gunawardene and Maya Ratnayake have breathed life into the students’ concepts in terms of the beautiful costumes while Shobi Perera put together some “fabulous tracks” according to Ms Fernando.
The HFC girls are ready to re-tell the age old tale of the lovable Puss and invites readers to be a part of the musical experience for an evening of fun for the entire family. The girls will take the stage under the direction of veteran director Jith Peiris from June 13 -15 at the School Auditorium. Tickets priced at Rs. 2000, 1500, 750 and Rs. 500 for balcony seats could be bought from the school office during school hours.
