Welcome to new Arsikland, or is it the same with new faces?
Studio setting: Minister Sweetie Boley and reporter Gynocologees Rupasinghe. Pic by Anush de Costa
Two years ago, audiences flocked to the Lionel Wendt and the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre to bid adieu to Colombo’s most loved politician.
Since 2007, Chaminda Pusswedilla ‘the Friend of People, Son of the Village, Father of Democracy, Brother of Freedom, Cosin of Human Rights and Close Relashen of Meediya Freedom’ and his cohorts of Arsikland had captured the hearts of Colombo’s audiences with their unique brand of satire.
Puss faithfuls saw a lull after the bittersweet departure of their hilarious ‘Lokka’ this past year as series’ creator, Feroze Kamardeen returned to the drawing boards. Now he’s ready with his latest political satire; “ArsikMeediya-BOGG”. With less than a week to opening night and tickets almost sold out, Feroze promises fans a very different kind of Arsikland.
The Pusswedilla plays, macerated with side-splitting, rib-tickling humour delight in their in-your-face dialogue. Confronting the questions, concerns and the implications faced by the everyday Sri Lankan, Feroze’s script writing cuts through the almost chilling reality of Sri Lankan politics with strong punches of humour.
When the audience exits the doors of the Wendt, it’s with a bellyful of jokes to playback later alongside a stark understanding of their position in contemporary Sri Lanka.
This time is no different. Chronicling the events from January 8 last year, the play will be an honest look at the change in the political scene. “You’re going to see two very different Presidents,” Feroze chuckles.
This time around, audiences will be introduced to an entourage of new faces including Arsikland’s new President H.E. Trymeepala Maruwedilla and new Prime Minister Hon. Wikrama Nikamsinghe. “They are very different in the way they are perceived by the others,” he says, careful not to reveal too much of the plot.
The play will also see the return of familiar faces – the blundering yet lovable Cyril NItharamasuffering and the Thomson to his Thomson; Ratney, along with CNN’s constantly baffled Robert Westernthinking and failed minister Sweetie Boley.
Joining Westernthinking will be local newscaster Gyno Rupasinghe providing an arena to explore the relationship between the current political stage and the role of the Media. In keeping with his blunt, realistic take on Sri Lankan politics, Feroze refuses to sugarcoat any of his satires, regardless of change.
This time around the Lionel Wendt, formally known as the Pusswedilla ArsiklandNashnel Theatre (PANT) will be transformed into a studio, giving viewers the experience of being privy to a live studio interview, where we will get to meet Arsikland’s new President at the ArsikMeediya Stoodios for a live interview with Gyno Rupasinghe and Robert Westernthinking of CNN.
Once the laughter is over and the customary baila sung, Feroze hopes his audiences will leave with a more perceptive understanding of their new government. Will it take us to an unsuspectingly darker, changed Arsikland? “Do we want people who are slightly better?” he feels. At the end of the show he only wants his audiences to know that change needs to extend to the bigger picture.
Tickets for the ArsikMeediya- BOGG are available for February 27 and 28 for the 10 a.m. morning show. Balcony tickets are available at the Lionel Wendt Box Office.