A different take on Neil Simon’s ‘Plaza Suite’
Jith Peiris has always been daring enough to venture down theatrical alleys no one else has trod on. His latest take on Neil Simon’s ‘Plaza Suite’ looks to do the same. It will take place at the Lionel Wendt on August 30 and 31, starting at 7.30 p.m.
The ‘Plaza Suite’crew. Pix by Indika Handuwala
‘Plaza Suite’ is three one-act plays in one setting: As the title depicts, it takes place in a suite in New York’s iconic Plaza Hotel. Owing to time constraints, Jith will be staging two out of the three playlets, namely ‘Visitor from Hollywood’ and ‘Visitor from Forest Hills.’
However, Jith will be getting creative and experimental with the production. He explains that since the play is set in New York , he will also be staging a “Walk on Broadway.” Accordingly, the show will also feature eight to ten songs from famous Broadway musicals, which he believes that the audience will recognise and appreciate. They will be performed by certain members of the cast, Jith adds with a sneaky grin.
This is the first time he will be trying a production of this sort, we are told . However, Jith admits that he is doing it purely for the entertainment.
When it came to actually directing the plays, Jith was particular about his actors. He tells us that he had a vision for each character and chose the cast accordingly.
Perhaps the most noteworthy element in all the plays directed by the famed director is the level of attention put into the dialogue of a production .
The same could be said about ‘Plaza Suite’ . Though the play is an American one, Jith has directed the cast to not focus too much on the American accent.
He maintains that a play with improperly pronounced dialogues is a cringeworthy sight, and this is something he strives to avoid. On that note, he also wants his cast to particularly grab the audience’s attention by delivering the different emotions in the play.
The cast themselves take Jith’s direction very well, he tells us, and he finds it a pleasure to work with them.
When posed with the question of why he chose a Neil Simon play, the immediate answer was that his plays have stood the test of time. Jith also feels that out of all the American playwrights, Neil Simon is one who can be understood by a global audience.
Jith Peiris
Jith had always known about ‘Plaza Suite’, but he never got a chance to witness the play live. Nevertheless he had staged the show several times at different events, the last time being almost fifteen years ago.
He recalls his audience thoroughly enjoying the show back then, and hopes to achieve the same reaction this time too. “They loved the stuck in the bathroom business” in ‘Visitor from Forest Hills’, he recalls with a chuckle.
Overall ‘Plaza Suite will be nothing short of pure entertainment and Jith is confident it will be a hit with the audience. “I’ve got the best cast and singers, he tells us as they ready themselves to take on the Wendt.
Box plan will be available at the Wendt from Monday 19 August. Tickets are priced at Rs. 3500, Rs. 3000, Rs. 2000, Rs. 1200, and Rs. 800 for balcony. For further information log onto www.lionelwendt.org.
