Bringing a Greek tragedy to life
The school which is a hive of activity long after the day’s lessons are done has an addition to the afterschool buzz coming from the monumental S. Thomas College chapel steps. Echoing through the quadrangle, earnest pleas for forgotten gods to look down on the sin-stained streets of Thebes by the twelve- strong chorus sets the scene for the Drama Society of St. Thomas’ College’s latest production-’The Tragedy of King Oedipus’.
Different in every sense imaginable from their last production which was a rendition of C.S. Lewis’s ‘Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe’, the oldest Performing Arts society hopes to take audiences back to the beginning of theatre. Expecting to fill out 300 seats per night, the drama society members feels that the staging of the Greek tragedy will be a true test of skill for the young cast because “it really is about discipline.” From voice projection, given that the performance is to be unamplified, to even weaning young actors off props, the simplicity of a Greek play has much to offer.
For the boys too, the experience has been a complete change of scenery. Acting on the Chapel steps has never happened before in their time at school as Adnan Izath of grade 13 says the last time a similar production was staged there “was about twelve years ago.” Taking on the role of a priest he shares that the persona is vital in representing the voice of the people to their King but also finds it a slight challenge to snap into the portrayal of a 60-70 something man, this being his first male role. An arts student of Grade 13, Josiah Bulathsinghala who also plays a priest says the magic in the plot for him is undoubtedly the way the play falls into place and Oedipus’s fate comes to light. The past production of a Greek play on the imperious backdrop of the chapel facade left Asanga Ranasinhe with a desire to one day perform there. Playing a messenger in the play he feels it really is a manifestation of a long -time dream.
“That was just a test-run” Producer, Marlon Jesudason says of the past production. Gearing-up to transport the viewers to ancient Greece, his vision for the production isn’t limited to the unorthodox interpretation of an amphitheatre. Incense and fire torches around the premises, thrown about by the evening breeze are to give a glimpse of what the original patrons of the play experienced.
Avishka Perera has been acting with the Drama Society for 6-7 years and been a part of quite a few school productions. “We mostly do comedy” he shares, but a when it comes to playing a tragedy he says “it’s a different energy entirely. Keen that the students should have a holistic understanding of theatre, variety was one of the reasons, Sophocles’ Fourth Century masterpiece was chosen. Poetic Justice and a story about a statesman of a king who felt he deserved no better than his citizens are the elements that shines through.
This is the second year of acting for Kathesh Handy who plays the noble King Oedipus. It is a big task of any actor to open a play as King and end it with a rank “lower than the citizens” he says, but the transition is what he finds intriguing about the entire experience. He says the toughest part is to navigate the treacherous stairs outside the chapel. “I would go watch a play like it,” leader of the chorus, Lihan Mendis admits. Curiosity if teenagers can pull off a Greek tragedy and the sight of a chorus which is rare in the kind of English Theatre popular in the country would be enough incentive he shares.
For some like Sachi Gamage of grade 13 who plays the part of an attendant, feels it is easier to relate to his character and says he is honoured to be a part of the cast staging a well known play. President of the Drama Society, Adarsh Nanayakara feels he is “still getting the hang of things” but it has been easier with a supportive cast and crew whose efforts have been encouraging.
Hoping the weather gods would be appeased by their hard work, the cast and crew invite the public to witness The Tragedy of King Oedipus from October 16-19. Tickets priced at Rs. 800 can be purchased at the College Gym and at Tickets.lk
