Kaushalya captures a corrupt country
The latest drama production by Kaushalya Fernando, ‘Dutu Thena Allanu’ (Wanted) is on the boards again on January 24 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. The play was premiered on December 12 and 13 and was well received by the audiences.
An adaptation of Opera Wonyosi by Nobel Prize-winning dramatist and poet Wole Soyinka, ‘Dutu Thena Allanu’ is a satirical representation of a decadent, socio-political scenario.
The post civil war military regime in Nigeria and the economic upsurge created by oil extraction that resulted in social, political, and cultural decadence was the backdrop under which Soyinka created Opera Wonyosi.
His script is an Africanization of Bertolt Brecht’s Three Penny Opera and John Gay’s 18th century ballad opera and The Beggar’s Opera, which also influenced Brecht’s work.
Adapted from both these texts in 1977, Soyinka staged a powerful satire that explored the corrupt socio-political conditions prevailing in contemporary Nigeria. Kaushalya has recreated this world renowned play to suit the Sri Lankan socio-political scenario.
Dutu Thena Allanu is Kaushalya Fernando’s third theatrical production at national level. Earlier she had produced Sanda Langa Maranaya (Garcia Lorca’s Blood Wedding) and Maask (Henrik Ibsen’s The Public Enemy).
Kaushalya Fernando who has been a teacher of drama for a long period of time, is, at present, the Creative Director of Somalatha Subasinghe Play House, the Drama School inaugurated by her mother, Somalatha Subasinghe.
Dutu Thena Allanu is presented by Somalatha Subasinghe Play House which is also known as the Lanka Children’s and Youth Theatre Foundation.
Music direction of Dutu Thena Allanu is by Chinthaka Jayakody. Lighting design and choreography are by Chandana Aluthge, costumes and stage props are by Thisara Imbulana.
The cast includes Dhanushka Dias, Shanaka Fernando, Thilakshini Ratnayake, Mayura Perera, Nilanka Dahanayake, Saviour Kanishka, Ruchi Abeywarna, Poojana Dandeniya, Dilum Buddhika, Kumudu Wickramathanthri, Chamara Gamaethige, Thilina Perera, Gayathri Ekanayake, Thiwanka Don Ranasinghe, Sameera Lakmal Wimalasiri, Duminda Sandaruwan and Hasarinda Kesara Liyanaarachchi.
All actors are trained at Somalatha Subasinghe Play House.