Arts
The making of Grease–the Musical with all its highs and lows
View(s):The first time Nishantha Warnakulasuriya met Kevin Cruze, the only things they knew about each other were that they were from the same school and that Nishantha had a talent for music and Kevin for theatre. They’ve combined this to direct Grease –the Musical which is presented by Cold Theatre 7 and takes the stage at the Lionel Wendt from August 1 to 4 at 7.30 p.m, with matinee shows at 3 p.m. on August 3 and 4.
The directors promise a lot of passion on stage. Pic by Ishanka Sunimal
This week, we got the chance for a quick chat with them during the middle of their practice sessions.
“I didn’t know Nishantha,” Kevin begins, just as Nishantha throws a playful tantrum. “That was very smooth! Thank you for that! I didn’t know Kevin either.”
Jokes aside though, the pair find it easy to work with each other. This is especially because they both believe they speak the same language in terms of production.
‘Grease’ was originally meant to be the first musical Nishantha was to direct in terms of the music. However it got pushed back a year and a half and Arsikland ended up being the first. Nishantha believes the Arsikland experience helped condition his mind to the world of musicals. “I’ve always been a musician but doing a musical and a production of this calibre is a different ball game altogether,” he explains.
Director of Cold Theatre 7, Kevin feels he is musically limited, but that being said, he has a certain idea about how Grease needs to sound, how the cast need to sing and what the musicians need to play. The beauty of it is that Nishantha is able to grasp Kevin’s vision and execute it. “It’s like converting analogue to digital!” Nishantha jokes.
“I try to bring in the X factor element in my productions. I bring in the twists and I want someone who I can work with in regards to that. Who’ll be flexible to understand what I want and cater to that,” Kevin explains. This understanding between the directors (choreography, music, artistic) and their synced vision has carried the musical throughout its practice stages and now soon to the grand stage.
“I don’t make life easy for me at all,” Kevin chuckles whilst, adding that he tries to bring in an element to remember in all the productions he’s directed. The same applies to ‘Grease’ and instead of using tracks, Kevin and Nishantha both decided to go with a live band.
“I would always offer live music because that feel can never be replicated,” Nishantha says adding that each night will have a different feel and energy to it.
Kevin Cruze
Nishantha Warnakulasuriya
After having seen the movie and a few productions of the musical, Kevin also feels there are several underlying themes in the musical that could be further explored. He also believes in focusing a lot more on the characters so that the audience can relate to them. Because, he recalls wanting to relate to the characters many years ago when he first caught the musical.
For example ‘Sandy’ in the musical is a 16-year-old girl in the 1950s, who has been told to drink or smoke for the first time. “So how difficult was it for a girl at that point to do something like that? How did society see a Rizzo who probably went out with quite a few boys at that time?” he points out.
‘Grease’ is the second biggest production presented by Cold Theatre 7, their first being ‘Peter Pan’ that was done in collaboration with St. Joseph’s College and St. Bridget’s Convent.
Directing a musical that is internationally famed only adds to the challenge.
Kevin and Nishantha recall the hype building up around the musical since February/March, back when they first began rehearsing. Aside from this the songs are also well known and well loved which means the standards are really high, they say.
Despite that, Nishantha feels they’ve successfully executed a few things which the audience will not expect. Kevin aims to bring in that “wow” factor to the production.”
The tragic Easter attacks and the situation prevalent at the time also took its toll on the production. “There was a time soon after the incident where we had to practise just from 6.15 to 7– just 45 minutes. I’ve never in my life finished a rehearsal at 7 p.m.,” Nishantha recalls.
There was also a problem finding venues, since most places were on lockdown. But he is glad the cast stayed positive and it is this passion which drives them on. A majority of the cast includes full time students or full time employees. But, no matter how tired or busy they may be, they still make time for rehearsals “even if they have to stay until 11 p.m. getting blasted by us.”
It’s that passion for theatre that drives the cast, they add. And when the cast finally get on stage, they will each be wearing a Sri Lankan flag on their sleeves.
“You’ll see a lot of hard work and passion on stage, and the only way we can support the arts as Sri Lankans is to come and watch and appreciate it. Only then will all our hard work have some meaning to it,” says Nishantha.
Tickets for the show are available at the Lionel Wendt Theatre and www.lionelwendt.org at Rs. 5000, Rs. 4000, Rs. 3500, Rs. 3000 with Rs. 900 for balcony for the 7.30p.m. shows. The 3 p.m. ( matinee) shows are priced at Rs. 4000, Rs. 3000, Rs. 2000, Rs. 1500 with Rs. 900 for balcony.