For the love of theatre
It’s quite rare for a story to end with the villain winning in the end. However, as Eric Swan, the central role in ‘Cash on delivery’ by Michael Cooney is soon to find out, not all stories share the same cliché finish.
Jith Peiris. Pic by M.A Pushpakumara
Comedies have always played an integral part in Jith Peiris’s renowned theatre career and this time too, his audience is in for a treat as the veteran director looks to stage his interpretation of ‘Cash On Delivery’.
The fast paced British farce will take place at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on February 28 and 29.
We sat for a chat with Jith, who tells us that this is the first time he is staging a comedy by Michael Cooney. Although, he is no stranger to the Cooney family, having previously staged the works of Ray Cooney, Michael’s father.
As Jith puts it, ‘Cash on Delivery’ revolves around Eric Swan, a con artist. Eric (the sneaky one) has duped the welfare authorities for years by claiming numerous forms of benefits for fake lodgers at his house. This scam brings him thousands in tax free income. However, just when he decides to kill off many of the imaginary dole recipients, owing to matters going a bit too far and hence getting risky, welfare investigators show up at his door. Some of them make inquiries as to what’s going on, while others offer additional benefits for which he has not yet applied. To outwit the investigators, the con artist enlists the help of a real lodger in his house and his uncle George, who is also on a mission to convince his nephew’s (Eric) wife that he is not a transvestite.
‘Cash on Delivery’ is your typical British comedy which relies on dialogue and timings.
So, Jith who is conscious about words, first got his cast to start voice training.
In terms of the comedic elements, he tells us one of the key things he’s focusing on is pitch.
“The fluctuation of voices, so that certain sections would be emphasized.” Jith explains that in the western English theatre, there are certain lines which you emphasize which bring out the beauty of the show. This in turn helps the audience understand the play.
After all, Jith sole aim is to entertain and have his audience enjoy themselves.
He feels that people see the theatre as a place to come relax. And at the end of the day, this is just what he looks to give them. But there’s also a personal note of happiness for the playwright who enjoys staging all the productions, which he only dreamed about when he was a child. “And now I have completed what I wanted to do. And in spite of my stroke, my setback, I never gave in,” theatre is therapeutic and Jith only hopes that comedies such as ‘Cash on Delivery” will be continued through time.
Tickets for the show are available on www.lionelwendt.org and at the Lionel Wendt.