Death by desire

By Ruhanie Perera

"He can live. So many people long for a little bit longer, he has that little bit longer. He has life!"

"You can't call that living. What kind of life does a completely paralysed man have."

They were sitting in front of me. They were not professionals and they were not in a courtroom...at least not yet. They were just two students during a rehearsal of a play.

Next week the boys will be in a courtroom on stage where one will play a doctor fighting to keep his patient alive, and the other a lawyer who will fight for the same man's 'release from life'.

Ironically the boy who, off stage, believes in life, will play the lawyer fighting for the 'right to die'. And the boy who understands the desperate plea of a paralysed man will push for his life in the play 'Nothing really matters', presented by the Drama Society of S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia.

The play is an adaptation of the film 'Whose life is it anyway'. It is about an artist and sculptor, Ken Harrison, (Eshan Mendis) who is a creative and vibrant personality. That is until he meets with a horrific accident, which leaves him badly injured and paralysed neck downwards. Nine months down the road, when the play opens, his injuries have been cured and his mind is working almost overtime, but he has lost the use of what he needs most - his hands. Reduced to an almost vegetable-like existence, his frustration is heightened by his alert mind, which tells him that what he has is not a life. Finally he makes a decision, the all important decision which is the base of the play - to be 'released'. Not released from the hospital, but a more permanent release from tests and tubes, from fear and frustration...from life.

Enter doctors, nurses, psychologists and social workers to give hope to one 'hope-less' man. Dr. Emerson (Sanil de Alwis) who believes it's his sacred duty to preserve life puts his heart and soul into keeping the man alive. In this world, which is a world of monsters to the artist, Dr. Scott (Arrvinda Salwatura) who understands him becomes Ken Harrison's confidante.

This man's fight does not end in the hospital. When his wish is not granted, the fight continues in court. At this point his lawyer Mr. Hill (Rajindh Perera) despite his personal feelings finds himself taking up a case to 'kill' a man.

"The play seems, a little advanced for schoolboys," says director Vinodh Senadheera, "but they are coping fairly well. I see them actually dealing with an issue and coming to terms with it, instead of just acting in a play." Seeing one's actors grow stronger in character under your very own eyes is a director's dream come true. Vinodh has seen this in his cast and that alone is "fulfilling". After a host of comedies produced by St. Thomas' College, it's been a long time since they have attempted a serious play. For most of the present pupils, it's their first experience of serious drama. "Naturally it's a bit new to them."

"Bit new?!!", comes the exclamation from the cast members in unison. But they go on to admit that it's not as hard as they thought it would be although this sort of play takes some getting used to.

Eshan Mendis who plays Ken Harrison finds his role though "challenging, definitely difficult". "It's difficult," he emphasises "because I have to rely on only my voice and facial expressions. There is so much of emotion I have to get across. I can't use any body movements whatsoever and I have to be natural as well." This comes from a boy who within a short period of time feels a lot more for the people who find themselves in this situation.

Almost everyone who plays a role within the medical profession have a lot more respect for the doctors who fight endless battles to keep their patients alive. "We've spoken to a doctor and a psychologist to get better insight into their work. We are determined to portray the characters as realistically as possible," say the young 'doctor' and 'nurse' seated in front of me.

The rest of the cast comprise Troy Manatunge, Jithendra Seneviratne, Shenuka Dias, Gerald Sanjeev, Niran Anketell, Irshad Hameed, Ayendra Wickremesekera, Malinda Sugathapala and Dilsiri Welikala.

This play will take you through frustration, anger, pain and expectation. Finally stopping at the crucial question - what weighs heavier - the patient's right to live or his right to die. How does it end...

Be there at the Lionel Wendt on June 23, 24 and 25 at 7.30 p.m. and become part of this passionate battle between life and death.

The tickets for the show are available at Lionel Wendt and the College Office.

More Mirror Magazine

Return to Mirror Magazine Contents