Gearing for comedy
On previous occasions when Vinodh Senadeera staged ‘Playing Doctor’, it was received with resounding success by theatregoers. This time too Vinodh will usher this trusty script out from retirement with a cast of eight this month at the Lionel Wendt, marking his 60th production.
“Playing Doctor” is Rob Brewster, a young man who has gambled away his college fund on the excesses of life as a struggling writer. Rob’s parents thinks he’s a doctor, Rob thinks he has his parents duped, and both are in for a nasty surprise when the Brewsters decide to pay their son a visit. As Rob scrambles to cast friends in his make believe life as a doctor, hilarity ensues.
Vinodh first brought this script to the stage with a young cast of Thomians in 1996, exactly 20 years ago. Three actors who were members of that first production will return to this one (meet them next week in our cast interviews). This third take on the play will be different to the first two, promises Vinodh. “The story is the same, of course. But the dynamics of the cast are different so this will be quite different to what theatregoers may have seen before.” For example, he grins, “this time around the female characters are played by actual females!”
The director is currently based with the Colombo International School as its Head of Performing Arts. This being his 60th production, Vinodh is keen on a play that will make his audience a happy bunch, noting a lack of good comedic stage productions in Colombo.
Together with producer Marlon Jesudason he’s also bringing back the Combined Theatre Company from retirement of over a decade-their plan is to stage a “good, well written script” once a year.
The cast- Michelle Herft, Delon Weerasinghe, Shanaka Amarasinghe, Ashini Fernando, Danu Innasithamby, Jivan Goonetilleke, Ravin Fernando and Pramukshi Kariyawasam.
Playing Doctor is on at the Lionel Wendt from July 15-17 from 7.30 pm onwards. Tickets priced at Rs 1500, 1000, 800 and 600 (balcony) are available at the venue. The play was written by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore. This production is staged by arrangement with Samuel French Inc.