‘Api Narakai Thamai’ Modern German play on Lankan stage
View(s):
‘Api Narakai Thamai’ a theatrical presentation based on Lily Axtors’ German play “Violin, Cello, Double Bass” will have its maiden show on December 31 at 4 pm and 7 pm at Namel Malini Punchi Theatre Borella.
The play is an effort of a German playwright to show sarcastically and symbolically the consequence of separation of parents on children. Just like in most
modern scripts, keeping some of the meanings open is a novel feature in this play too.
“This play brings out the internal sufferings of the parents and a child. The oppression, the attachments between them and how they are severed are analyzed in deep, leaving a question before the society, or else leaves something to be taken away by the spectators,” says playwright Sujeewa Pathinisekara. It can be shown that it looks very simple on the surface but the under lying depth is something that changes depending on the maturity of spectators.
Directed by Pathinisekara, the play features Wishaka Jayaweera, Nelum Kurugalaarchchi
Sujeewa Pathinisekara, Kavindu Bandara, Asha Perera and Dulan Maduranga. Translated by Jayalath S. Gomes and edited by M. Safeer, music direction of the play is done by Vindaka Weerasinghe, make up by Nelum Kurugalaarachchi and photos by Ajith Kumara. Set, costumes and lighting of the play also handled by Safeer.
The writer is trying to bring out the anger and sorrow through the main characters, father, mother and Paula, and the director is trying to show the same by actions, for which he uses colours, music and lighting. Finally the translator and the director are trying to stage a modern German play on a Sri Lankan stage.
Director Sujeewa Pathinisekara.
Making a note on the latest play, director Sujeewa Pathinisekera stated he faced a challenged when M. Safeer of Inter Act Art group encouraged him to direct German contemporary play here in Sri Lanka and abroad.
“Here I face the challenge of doing a successful performance by understating the similarities and differences of the modern and contemporary stage,” Pathinisekera said.
“It is difficult to find the exact era of this happening. But the oppression the mother, father and specially Paula, the little daughter undergoes in the modern European society is very clear thought the play,” the director added.
The play is produced by Inter Act Art Black Box Theatre.
