Time for ‘Silver Bells’
Christmas is without a doubt the most wonderful time of year. When familiar carols play over the radio and the smell of freshly baked Christmas cake fills the air, you know that time for celebration is near.
Pic by Indika Handuwala
As he has for more than thirty years, this year too, veteran Director Jith Peiris looks to stage his all-time Christmas favourite ‘Silver Bells’ at the Lionel Wendt theatre on December 10. This week we got the chance to speak to some of the faces behind the show, as they prepare to deliver something truly special.
First up is vocalist Daniella Perera, who tells us that December is her favourite month of the year. Back in her household they usually go crazy with the decorations and try to keep adding more to the collection. “We always have Christmas carols playing early morning and throughout the day if possible. The Jim reeves album being the family favourite,” she explains.
This is Daniella’s second time being a part of the show and this time around she will be performing two songs which are upbeat and somewhat theatrical. Her aim is to make her songs as entertaining as possible. But above all, she is guided by the principle that “Christmas is all about capturing the magic while keeping it simple.”
To Joanne Aloysius Rajiyah, Christmas has always been a joyous time in her household. Growing up in a large catholic family, they bake their own Christmas cake, decorate their home with a Christmas tree, and have Christmas Eve dinner together as a family.
Joanne is certainly not new to Jith’s annual Christmas show after having being a performer, member of the backstage crew and also part of the audience. She recalls from an audience’s perspective, after witnessing the show, you cannot help but get into the Christmas Spirit.
She will be performing two classics, which are “Uncle Jith’s favourite; Schubert’s Ave Maria, as well as Adestes Fideles (the Latin version of O Come All Ye Faithful).” Joanne will be sticking to the traditional way these songs are performed and looks to put on a great show.
Quite unlike Daniella and Joanne, Kovindu De Seram never used to celebrate Christmas, until he started to woo his wife years ago. But, over the years, he has grown to enjoy the season more. This is “especially since for that month everyone manages to be happy and cheerful,” he says.
This year will be extra special for him, since it’s his child’s first Christmas. “I’m looking forward to see her face light up in wonder for all the lights and music.”
This is Kovindu’s second time performing for “Silver Bells and this time, he will be performing “Let it Snow by Dean Martin.” Generally Kovindu performs in a Santa Claus Costume, and he tells us, he wouldn’t mind doing it again the same way.
Since his song is a Christmas classic, Kovindu hopes to do justice to Deano and match his crooning personality. He hopes the audience enjoys the piece and joins him in the song.
Ever since he was a young boy growing up, Jehan Bastians has been trying to capture the mood and the feeling Christmas inspires, he tells us. “Back then it was very much about the holidays. The college Carols and helping my mum with the cake etc and the spiritual side of Christmas. Which often gets forgotten in a commercialized environment,” he recalls.
This is the first time Jehan will be performing at ‘Silver Bells.’ He has however, performed in several other plays by Jith.
Also set to perform is Shannon Salgadoe from ‘Contempo’, who explains that for a choir, Christmas tends to be the busiest time of the year. The performances keep lining up and it’s no different for them.
But, even though it gets hectic, they still have a good time preparing for the season.
Contempo also took part in Silver Bells last year, to perform “Silent Night” for the 200th anniversary of the carol.
This year, they’ve chosen a mix of relatively unknown and popular songs with genres ranging from classical to jazz. “We chose them based on what we think the audience would like to hear, and despite some songs being well known, the arrangements are quite different which will hopefully pique their interest,” Shannon adds.
Aside from these acts, “Silver Bells” also promises a performance by the renowned choir ‘Noted’ directed by Sanjeev Jayaratnam, and Joshua Fernandez, who will be staging a dance item.
The performers are hoping to spread the joy of the season and have the audience leave with that warm Christmassy feeling.
“Silver Bells” is definitely one of those shows that would get you into the Christmas spirit and this year is sure to be no different.
Tickets priced at Rs. 3000, Rs. 1500, Rs. 1000 and Rs. 800 (Balcony) will be available at the Lionel Wendt