Arts
Recreating those cameo roles in ‘Yes Prime Minister’
Britain is in the depths of a financial crisis. To save the situation, and his position of power, the Prime Minister Jim Hacker initiates a conference where a solution comes in the form of a multi-trillion pound pipeline deal with the oil-rich country of Kumranistan. The day is saved… until the Kumranistani Foreign Secretary makes an unorthodox request. As the economic status of the country hangs in the balance, the PM and his wily team must battle the moral implications of the request and push the deal through, in a matter of hours.
A power play: Seated Abbasali Rozais, standing from left, Kavinda Gunasekera, Minoli Peiris, Sahan Wijewardene, Jaliya Wijewardene and Yasal Ruhunuge. Picture location: Residence by Uga Escapes. Pic by Amila Gamage
Written by Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay, ‘Yes, Prime Minister’ is the updated stage version of the original award-winning British television series of the 1980s ‘Yes, Minister’ and ‘Yes, Prime Minister’. This will be the fourth production for Amphitheatre Productions, headed by Jaliya Wijewardene and Yasal Ruhunage. The play will run on June 28, 29 and 30 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, for a strictly 18+ audience.
We sat down with the cast of ‘Yes, Prime Minister’ to get to know their colourful characters a little better.
Abbasali Rozais plays British Prime Minister Jim Hacker, who he describes as a “caricature of most politicians.” He is ultimately self-serving and desperately clinging on to power in the midst of a catastrophic recession and fragile coalition government.
The dynamic of the play is centred on the idea that the British Civil Service is the power behind the government and that elected officials are mere figureheads. Though Abbasali describes Hacker as a bit of a windbag who doesn’t know what he is doing, he reveals that from time to time he does have “a few triumphs in his battle against the Civil Service.”
This is Abbasali’s first outing with Amphitheatre Productions, in a play that is entirely suited to his interests. “It’s very exciting because I love the Yes Prime Minister series, it’s probably my top favourite TV show,” he says.
Jim Hacker’s chief puppeteer is his Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby, portrayed by Jaliya Wijewardene. A master of manipulation with a talent for tactically confusing speeches, the head of the British Civil Service is the brains behind the operation.
“The entire play and the TV series was this eternal battle between Humphrey and the Prime Minister. They do work together towards common goals, but there’s also constant fighting and a power struggle,” Jaliya explains. Sir Humphrey has his own vested interests in the deal, while also exercising his power to diffuse the situation.
Aside from his leading role, Jaliya is also co-directing the play with Yasal Ruhunage who plays Bernard Woolley, the Prime Minister’s principal Private Secretary. Bernard’s loyalties are constantly tested by Sir Humphrey who wields the real influence, and also writes the performance reviews. Bernard often finds a way to keep both parties happy and informed, particularly by describing “hypothetical” scenarios.
Bernard’s charm largely stems from his mild yet highly pedantic nature, often interjecting sense (or his two cents) into conversations rife with verbal red tape. However, when faced with the shocking request of the Kumranistani Foreign Secretary, Bernard’s moral conscience is tested.
Though Bernard is the PM’s right- hand man, Head of the Policy Unit Claire Sutton is the whisper in his ear. Played by Minoli Peiris, Claire is a smart, well-educated and confident professional whose cool demeanour is pushed to the limit as events unfold.
Minoli reveals that though Claire is “profoundly suspicious of the civil service” she is also a chameleon, adapting herself to different situations. With a little bit of snark and a lot of political deviousness, Claire expertly plays on the same level as the rest of the bureaucrats and pushes the envelope in her own ways.
“You’ve got to learn how to wrangle them!” Minoli says with a laugh.
Sahan Wijewardene plays Freddy, the Ambassador of Kumranistan who quite literally adds colour to the scene in his red pyjamas. Freddy is an Oxford and Harrow educated diplomat attending the conference as the PM’s guest. He is caught unawares in the middle of the night as the crisis ensues, providing no help at all.
Dropping into the unexpectedly hostile situation is Director General of the BBC Jeremy Burnham, played by Kavinda Gunasekera. Described as a “typical corporate media personality”, Jeremy is dependent on his positional power and won’t hesitate to manipulate the government because of what he can expose. When he lands into trouble, Kavinda tells us that Jeremy’s tactic is to “look to certain people who he thinks are his friends and try to keep afloat.”
Rounding off the cast is Simon Chester, played by George Cooke. Simon is a BBC reporter doing his best to report the happenings of the government. Described by the cast as “the least slimy character” of all of them, he goes in with questions and predictably doesn’t get any of the answers he wants.
The cast are no strangers to the stage or to each other as many of them have worked together before, mostly notably in Indu Dharmasena’s plays. The easy camaraderie, infectious laughter and gentle ribbing speaks volumes of their bond and level of comfort as a group and will, no doubt, translate effectively on stage.
Tickets priced at Rs. 3500, Rs. 2500, Rs. 1500 and Rs. 800
(Balcony – Unreserved) are
available at the Lionel Wendt box office and online via
www.lionelwendt.org.