Arts
The courthouse gets a dramatic twist
In less than a week the curtains will go up on a production that will be staged after a lapse of close to three decades. Presented by the Sri Lanka Law College, the last time that the budding lawyers explored a more theatrical path was incidentally with the same play- “Witness for the Prosecution”. Based on a short story by Agatha Christie, the play, while a homage to the ‘Queen of whodunits’, is also a chance for the budding attorneys to invite audiences into a dramatic interpretation of their comfort zone- the courthouse.
Budding attorneys turn dramatists: A scene from the play. Pix by Indika Handuwala
Witness for the Prosecution’s murder/mystery tailored plot unfolds through the ongoing court case. The accused is L.0eonard Vole; heir to the murder victim, Emily French, a wealthy older woman. Testifying as a witness for the prosecution is his wife, Romaine, adding to the complicated drama of lies, manipulation and power play between the couple.
While an obvious dramatic stretch from a real life court hearing, the characters are nevertheless all too human and control the pace of the dialogue driven drama.
Playing Leonard Vole is 22-year-old Dilanka Kumarasinghe. A former student of Nalanda College, Dilanka’s dramatic exerience was in the Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competitions. When he first read the play, “I felt sorry for Leonard,” he admits and his portrayal is that of a devoted husband who is striving to put the ‘spark’ back into his marriage. “On paper they look ideal,” he adds, but as the plot progresses, the cracks in their relationship become painfully evident. Next to Leonard, his wife Romaine Vole is “a remarkable woman” Dilanka admits.
Playing a cast favourite and Leonard’s better half is Amanda Abeysinghe (23). Her theatrical experience began at her school, Musaeus College and later as a teacher of drama. Portraying the mysterious and complex Romaine Vole takes her back to her favourite play- Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” with its similarly complicated female role. What makes Romaine as intriguing as Nora from “A Doll’s House” or recent psychological thrillers like “Gone Girl” is the façade of a strong, independent woman that she has to portray. But behind Romaine’s put together look and ideal homemaker attitude is a hopeless romantic who is devoted to her husband. “They start off as a wonderful couple” before their relationship deteriorates. Amanda is channelling her inner Lady Macbeth to prepare for the challenging role. One of the play’s rare female characters- Romaine also stands her own amongst the men. “She never falls apart,” Amanda adds admiringly.
Perhaps that’s what makes her an intriguing figure they’d like to meet in reality.
Playing Mr. Myers, QC, the Crown prosecutor is Ahamed Ilham Nizam Kariapper. The 23-year-old law student, laughs that he has always been told he has a dramatic flair so stepping into the shoes of Myers- a prosecutor in his mid-thirties is easy enough, but Ilham also adds his own natural spirit and humour to the ‘youngish’ lawyer who is up against his role model- Sir Wilfrid Robarts, QC, senior counsel for the accused. An “irritating gentleman”, Myers adds the sprinkling of humour and irony through his somewhat caricatured character as an overeager, constantly wig adjusting young lawyer.
Sir Wilfrid Robarts, QC, on the other hand is a stark contrast to Myers’ youthful charm. When first given the role “I thought the play would be boring,” says Damithu Surasena candidly but he was soon drawn in by the characters’ cunning and psychological games. A veteran lawyer “who usually wins all his cases” even Sir Wilfred will find himself caught in the complicated web that evolves throughout the play.
The stage is set: The cast and director Chiranthi Senanayake
Playing Mr. Mayhew, the solicitor for the accused, Punarjith Waidyatilleke is another young lawyer, striving to be the next Sir Wilfred. With a dash of comedy and dialogue steeped in suspense, they are looking forward to playing with the audience’s minds as well as Christie did with her characters.
For Sachintha Randil Perera, the play is a throwback to the Sherlock Holmes stories he grew up reading. One of the youngest members in the cast, Sachintha is an experienced actor in the Sinhala drama circle from his schooldays at Ananda College. In this production he takes on the role of Inspector Hearne, the arresting officer. Much like Inspector Lestrade from the Sherlock Holmes legacy, Hearne is consistently suspicious of everyone and convinced of Leonard’s guilt.
Watching the suspenseful plot unravel from his bird’s eye view at the bench is Mayuka Daham Pathirana (22) who plays Justice Wainright, the Judge presiding over the case. The Judge is more sympathetic to Romaine seeing Leonard more as “naïve and childish”. His role allows him to watch the story unfold, with its typically Christie appeal and subtle banter. It was a reason why he suggested the script in the first place. A lover of Agatha Christie’s works, “I suggested we do something more legally inclined” he said and found the play in a collection of her works, little knowing that they would be breathing new life into an old favourite of the Sri Lanka Law College.
The Sri Lanka Law College presents “Witness for the Prosecution” on March 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. at the Namel Malani Punchi Theatre, Borella. Tickets priced at Rs. 1000, 750 and 500 will be available at Sri Lanka Law College and at the entrance. For ticket details call 0770700634 (Rs. 750 and 500) or 0712180676 (Rs. 1000).