His most daring, yet
New ground: A scene from the play
Provocative” may be the best way to describe any of Arun Welandawe-Prematilleke’s work. The actor/playwright has carved his own niche in the local English theatre scene with his passion for challenging, close to home themes which are explored, disproved and understood in the distinctive productions he has spearheaded. Those who have had the chance to literally immerse themselves in productions such as ‘Paraya’ and ‘Blowhards’ know that the young dramatist is most at home when he and his audience aren’t. Instead, his performances are uncomfortable, thought provoking and unafraid to break more than a fourth wall and physically incorporate the audience into another dimension where art meets reality and the lines between audience member and actor wear thin.
This August, Arun is preparing for his bravest (by his standards as well) dramatic piece yet, titled, “The One Who Loves You So”. On the surface the play sounds like an attempt to grapple at the infinite complexity of love and relationships. But the play is more than a two-hour long epiphany mingled with romance. If it was, it could not possibly be Arun’s brainchild. A passion project that encompasses his own personal experiences with love, “The One Who Loves You So” is a closer look into the world of casual encounters, short-term intimacy and the eternal human struggle for connection. Narrated through the casual encounter between two young men- a “wealthy, trust fund Colombo native” and a British expat, Arun invites audiences to look at 21st century love. His characters are unfamiliar to the Sri Lankan stage while still being utterly real and fleshed out.
While the play is steadily coming together, the idea for “The One Who Loves You So” took shape years ago as an idea pitched to Arun by his friend; actor Brandon Ingram who also takes on one of the two leads. “We wanted to do a show about the hook-up culture,”explains Arun. The story itself while close to Arun’s heart was doubly challenging. Not only was he exploring themes not readily explored on the local stage but the love story at the heart of the play is one that he felt needed its own voice.
Arun Welandawe-Prematilleke
“I knew that I didn’t know what to expect,” Arun thinks. Always ready to take on a scriptless read, this play is a departure from the established playwright’s style, reverting to the more conventional form of script writing. Arun hardly calls it going back to his roots, with his successful productions on the familiar ground of divisive and immersive theatre. Set against a skeleton of an apartment where the story progresses, Arun felt that the vulnerable script required nothing else save equally raw, real performances to complement the explosive dialogue.
Yet an early reading between his leads left Arun himself questioning his project. “I was terrified” as he felt his own experiences with relationships echo through the dialogue, “but the place of being uncomfortable is where any artist should be.”
Entwined in the coming out story is also a glimpse of modern romance and courtship. “There’s an argument that the hook-up culture takes away from old fashioned courtship,” observes Arun. A coming out story of sorts, the play is a timely one and written for a generation and community that lacks the space- both physical and social that allows them to form connections. The characters- written from a familiar point of view also allow Arun to be accountable for his own privilege and give a voice to the otherwise “ghettoed” love story which has become a cliché both on screen and stage.
But this brave new venture also came with its own challenges. “It hasn’t been an easy road to go on” with many doors that were once open for the playwright’s work now closed. But the challenge only whet his resilient and positive attitude.
An exploration of love, the spectrum of sexuality and the dynamics of new relationships the play is subtly revolutionary- like all Arun’s work. A play that is both unapologetic and powerful-“I want people to know that you are not alone in your experiences,” he adds thoughtfully.
“The One Who Loves You So” goes on the boards from August 15-17 at the Punchi Theatre at 7.30 pm. Tickets for reserved seating will be available at the Punchi Theatre from August 1. For online ticket details check out “The One Who Loves You So” on Facebook and Instagram.