Thrilling performances put forward by Shakespeare drama finalists
For forty-four years, the Inter School Shakespeare Drama Competition organised by the Colombo YMCA and the Rotary Club of Colombo North has allowed William Shakespeare’s work to resonate throughout the younger generations. This in turn has paved the way for some of the country’s finest young talent and literary excellence to come through at a school level. The much anticipated boys’ finals of the competition for this year, took place at the Bishop’s College auditorium.
Wesley College
The boys’ finals saw the stage set for the four schools Ananda College, Wesley College, D.S Senanayake College and Maris Stella College, to battle it out. Towards the end of it all, whilst each school gave it their best, Ananda College emerged the clear winner for their stunning presentation of an extract from ‘Hamlet.’
Thilina Udayaratne, the Anandian, who portrayed ‘Hamlet’, delivered an exceptional performance that evening. Thilina together with Lakshitha Edirisinghe, who appeared as ‘Polonius’, were the driving force of the play. Their chemistry up on stage was a thriller to watch and the audience clearly seemed to enjoy it.
From a splendid display of emotions, to some of the minor details such as a cartwheel on stage by the youngsters of the cast, it was their meticulousness which won them the coveted trophy.
Wesley College emerged as the first runners up for their production, which was an extract from ‘Othello.’ The same play performed by Maris Stella College, Negombo was also deserving of equal praise (although they were awarded the third runners up trophy). While Ananda College’s production of ‘Hamlet’ won out in the end over D.S Senanayake’s play, a note worthy performance was Haseeb Hassen’s portrayal of ‘Hamlet’ which earned him the award for the best actor.
Ananda College
Maris Stella College
D.S. Senanayake College
D.S. Senanayake College receive award for Best Stage Craft
D.S Senanayake College collecting their award for the second runners up
Haseeb Hassen receiving his award for the best actor
Lakshitha Edirisinghe receiving his award for the best supporting actor for his portrayal of Polonius
Maris Stella College Negombo receiving the award for the 3rd runners up
The Champions Ananda College, Colombo Pix by M.A Pushpa Kumara
| Judges’ comments
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| The judges panel comprised Tanya Warnakulasuriya, Dr. Harshana Rambukwella and Jehan Aloysius. Ms. Warnakulasuriya delivered the judges’ comments. The panel noted some great comedic timing and some beautiful understanding and interpretation of the words in the play. “Shakespeare was known for his lovely play on words and that came out in some of the performances,” she says. They felt the need for a change of pace and modulation of speech. “Loud does not necessarily mean angry, there are a lot of different modulations which you can use to convey different emotions.” Overall the Judges commended the use of tableau but added that it was not an excuse for good acting and that it could not be a substitute for a good opening scene. Furthermore, the judges added that the actors needed to note that it was not just about the diction and pronunciation of words, rather it was also about how they conveyed them and with whom they were communicating onstage. On a final note Tanya commented that the girls’ schools were very good at their portrayal of male roles, whereas the boys needed some improvement when it came to playing female characters. “If you’re playing a female role, play your heart out. Study women; study the mannerisms and also the historic period in which the play is set in. because the way she moves and acts will be very different.” |
Thilina Udayaratne collecting the championship trophy for Ananda College
Vidura College Hokandara receiving their award for the best novice school
Wesley College receiving their award for the 1st Runners up
| Trophy winners | |
| Ananda College (Champions) Wesley College (1st Runners Up) D.S. Senanayake (2nd Runners Up) Maris Stella College, Negombo (3rd Runners Up) Awards Best stage craft – D.S. Senanayake College
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