Kings, witches and wizards to raise a storm when they meet again
Sprites and witches. Magic and prophesies. Romance, murder and storms across tropical shores and the misty Highlands. Over the next two weekends, the Workshop Players will explore Shakespeare through the realm of magic and the supernatural with “Macbeth” and “The Tempest” in this year’s edition of “Shakespeare in the Park”.
A festival celebrating the playwright’s greatest dramatic work, the self explanatory event opened last year to crowds gathered against the leafy backdrop of the Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre. While keeping with the theme of the theatre festival that originated in New York’s Central Park, this edition’s directors are hoping to stretch their dramatic boundaries.
Shakespeare’s only Scottish play, Macbeth introduces audiences to one of the Bard’s most human, morally conflicted villains and his most iconic female character. Directed by Thushara Hettihamu, and Rehan Almeida, their production offers both students and theatre lovers an in-depth look at the rise and fall of Shakespeare’s most diabolic power couple. Set against the mud thatched backdrop of Ape Gama, what began as a logistics issue for the directors morphed into an artistic opportunity. Instead of the gloomy highlands this “steeps it in a Sri Lankan context” explains Rehan, allowing for a relatable presentation of Shakespeare while still keeping to the integrity of his work.
Joining Hettihamu and Almeida as directors for this year’s edition are Nishantha de Silva and Ishtartha Wellaboda. Nishantha has a decade of directing Shakespeare behind him and together with Ishtartha has been behind many productions with Ananda Drama. Performing “The Tempest” was a long awaited dream for the directors, one that Nishantha adds, is“different from the rest of Shakespeare’s plays”. Taking on the final play of Shakespeare’s anthology, the duo also want to create an immersive atmosphere for their audience. Giving the usually performed storyline and characters different dimensions and voices, theatre goers will also find themselves in a literally spacious setting, ready to absorb the energetic, dreamlike comedy while being privy to the very serious themes underlying the humour, music and the magical, unknown island.
Scenes from Macbeth (top and above) and from The Tempest (below left). Pix by Andre Perera
Shakespeare in the Village 2017: Macbeth will be held on March 25, 26 at 7 p.m. at ‘Ape Gama’, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and Shakespeare in the Park 2017: The Tempest will take place on April 1 and 2 at 7. p.m. at the Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre. Entrance is free.