Curtains rise for ‘Affair at Ward Place Hotel’
View(s):By Minushi Perera
Setting the stage in a fictional Colombo hotel room atmosphere, veteran director Jith Pieris and Ishtartha Wellaboda, Amayaa Wijesinghe and the cast gather to give audiences what they promise to be an evening of comedy and political satire in their play ‘Affair at Ward Place Hotel.’
The plot revolves around Ranjith, a fairly youthful state minister who has to play a balancing act between his wife Dimi and mistress Sammy Perera. The plot weaves in current political scenarios at hand that the audience will be able to relate to. ‘Politicians are brought into favour by comedies,’ says Jith Pieris, adding that the reason behind the play to be a combination of comedy and political satire is that comedy relaxes and politics is a topic that interests many. “The cast has contributed a lot to the comical aspect of the play which makes it more delightful,” said Jith of the effort of his enthusiastic cast.
Wasaam Ismail and Pemanthi Fernando play the main roles of politician Ranjith and his wife Dimi. “My character is impatient, adventurous in terms of promiscuity and crooked in terms of politics,” said Wasaam. Pemanthi elaborating on her character said while Dimi is from a well-to-do family in Kandy. She is insecure because of her surroundings and of the way she is treated.
Eraj Gunewardena and first timer to the stage Nilushi Dewapura play the roles of Dave, Ranjith’s secretary who is his cousin and Sharika a secretary to a minister in the opposition. Thanuki Goonesinghe and Kithmina Hewage take the stage as Sammy Perera, the mistress/actress and Doctor Jayanath who is a doctor turned politician in the joint opposition. Madura Wijeratne and Lithmal Jayawardhana play the roles of a slightly dumb waiter who is more involved with the other characters and a dumb waiter who is there for comic relief.
Ishtartha Wellaboda
Jith Pieris
Pix by Indika Handuwala
‘The Affair at Ward Place Hotel’ will be staged at the Lionel Wendt on 28 and 29 October at 7.30 pm. Tickets will be priced at rupees 2,000, 1,500, 1,200, 1,000 and balcony rupees 600. Tickets will be available at the Lionel Wendt.