Diverse themes addressed on stage through “Drama Quintet”
When we meet the young actors and actresses behind “Drama Quintet” the latest production by the Sashi Mendis Studio of Speech and Drama the group are getting together for photographs. Their expressions match their costumes- a kakhi clad soldier gazing tormented into the horizon, two men, in everyday clothes engaged in what looks like a deeper conversation and a girl with a mess of braids. Next week, Sashi Mendis’s senior students (along with a special performance by the younger students) will present an evening of five original plays.
Devised and created by Sashi and the budding performers/writers – the plays are in keeping with most of Sashi’s previous work will resonate with current, everyday issues and lives of teenagers and adults alike. It doesn’t hurt that her group is between the ages of 14-20 years, and have worked toward writing and creating original pieces that vary from comedy, satire, to serious pieces, all held together by universal themes.
One of the performances is titled “Punchi Raja.” An original piece written a decade ago will be performed by Sashi’s younger students. The play’s title character stays true to his name – Punchi Raja and follows the not so statuesque King as he tries to tower over his subjects in alternative ways. For Sashi, the play is nostalgic, with the original “Punchi Raja” acting in one of the evening’s plays, now as a 19 year old, who is also one of her most senior students.
For Devin Jinadasa (the original Punchi Raja), the role “was every short boy’s dream” he admits disarmingly. Devin’s current role is a big jump from the light, folk inspired play. Together with Rumalki Fernando (15) the two will explore the lives and psyche of young people living in a war torn world. The two of them are part of the cast for “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.”
Based on the Sri Lankan civil war, the story follows the friendship of Aishwaran and Sunimal, two boys who are tested by the war from different sides- one as a soldier and the other as a rebel fighter. Adding to the complexity of the tested friendship is Rumalki’s character Madhuri, a love interest for Aishwaran. The coming of age story set against trying and heartbreaking circumstances was the result of a lot of interpretation and devising from the students themselves. But the chance to bring the story to life was what they looked forward to most. “It was the most fun part. We didn’t want to miss any of it,” they both add.
For most of the other cast, the writing process seems to trump everything else. Most of the time, their serious script writing sessions would find most of them “collapsed in laughter” says Hesandi Jayasekara (14). The bubbly teenager, her wild braids bouncing in different directions is one of many bizarre characters in the fantasy world of “The Boy in the Picture.” With a Dr. Seuss like kookiness and creativity that follows a boy on the search for his identity; Hesandi’s character is the first person he meets when he escapes into the picture. Despite her bright, crazy outer appearance and cool carelessness, she too has to face a darker fate along the way.
Kaveen Rodrigo (20) will be taking one of the more mature scripts “The Day that Brian Died.” A play that may resonate more with the adults in the audiences, it leans towards themes of existence, life’s purpose and the need for a balanced life. Kaveen plays one of the two main characters- an eccentric scientist to tries to live in isolation until he attends his former bully’s (Brian’s) funeral. What begins as an accidental encounter with another equally jaded and eccentric stranger moves the plot to question the deeper questions of life.
“Drama Quintet” presented by the Sashi Mendis Studio of Drama and Speech will take place from September 2 to 3 at the Punchi Theatre. Tickets priced at Rs. 1000 and Rs. 600 (balcony). Tickets can be purchased through 0777009258 or at the Punchi Theatre.
