• Wildfire rocks Kandy
• 'The Privilege' stands among peers
• The Delta Force
• Sinhala documentary on 'coral reefs' released
• New team for MAF
• 'Hansel and Gretel'
• 'Brenda Starr': The story of a news reporter
• 'Diya Sewaneli': Revolves around the death of a kid

Wildfire rocks Kandy

By Ruth Sutton

After the farce of the Vengaboys concert (aided and abetted by various artistes singing cover versions of British and American pop songs very badly) I wasn't holding my breath in anticipation of "Yes FM" 's latest promotion in collaboration with Le Kandyan Hotel and sponsored by TV Times.

Wildlife, I am pleased to say, proved all my apprehensions utterly wrong at "Le Kandyan" on Saturday March 24th; belting out a well rounded repertoire of songs and competently handling range of musical genres with vigour and limitless energy.

Le Kandyan could have been the perfect setting for this rock concert, and although the location was beautiful in the cool hill air, the actual venue for the performance was something of a disappointment. 

Black and red balloons coupled with an amateur backdrop greeted the partygoers, giving the grand banquet hall a "school assembly" type feel. The music and crowd, however more than made up for any aesthetic shortfall: so much so , that I could just about forgive the jarring visuals. Like casualties from the "acid house" era, pink rotating pinwheels and suns flashed across the room, totally at odds with the raw unmanufactured sound of the band. Later on, the visuals resembled a futile attempt to do a bit of subliminal ice cream advertising! No-one seemed to care though and the lively dancing continued (propelled more by more enthusiasm than talent) despite the odd blinding yellow flash.

Wildfire comprises Derek (lead vocals and guitar), Shafi (vocals and guitar), Koba (bass) and Chris (drums), and although they each hold a distinctive position in this well balanced team, they are unusual in that they take turns on lead vocals. It was quite a surprise to see a drummer singing the main tune for once!

What is immediately striking about this group is their instinct for timing, musical co-operation and back up and for actually making some of the songs they cover sound better than the originals. Their upbeat version "Babylon" originally by David Gray, involved a much more substantial bass support, and a beat that you could dance, rather than just shuffle, to.

Taking liberties with your own interpretation of an artiste's work is always risky, but in the case of Wildfire, it is a risk that has paid off. Although the renditions are not over refined and the details are not yet perfectly honed, their creativity and musicianship created a fantastic musical performance that only a live act can achieve. The intermittent searing guitar solos and drum breaks produced cheers from the audience. While they were certainly impressive, I have been told (by a source who shall remain nameless) that these are often launched into spontaneously when one of the band members is not quite sure which chord or line of words comes next, and needs to improvise for a few seconds before getting back on track!

The concert suffered somewhat from the lack of attention to the composition of the evening. The band, with a seemingly limitless supply of energy, belted out a wide variety of songs with a definitive rock and guitar based sound. This created a fantastic atmosphere that had the audience singing and dancing all night. 

However, the live performances were interspersed with DJ sets from the Masters of Sound, playing the likes of Groovejet, Spiller and the Baha Men, among many others. This in itself was a great opportunity to play a different style of music and cater for all musical tastes, but it created a completely different ambience. It then took Wildfire a couple of songs and a lot of effort to really get the place rocking again. 

Carlos Santana songs were popular, with one couple expertly sambaing around the dancefloor to the Latin beat. The rest of us, with considerably less skill, all took to the floor, enjoying the band's versatility as they took us through Beatles hits, disco, contemporary rock, reggae, American Pie and even a bit of Limp Bizkit to name but a few.

Although they currently perform mainly cover versions of classic popular songs, Wildfrire also write their own music and intend to start performing it as they build on their rapidly growing fan base, and gain wider recognition. 

What is remarkable about all four musicians, is that none of them have had any formal musical training. Just dedication and talent....although Derek shares his birthday with Mozart which may have contributed to his love of music.

The highly charged scene was frenetic and excitable throughout the night (and most of the morning) and such is their range of music covered, I think it would be quite a challenge to request a song that they didn't know!

The only real flop of the evening was not the stomach of the advertised "Greek Belly Dancer", but the fact that she failed to materialise at all!

'The Privilege' stands among peers

By Sanath Weerasuriya

This 25 suite luxury hotel named 'The Privilege' is situated on a stretch of land by the beach in Wadduwa. 

'The Privilege' is on the golden stretch of beach among other star class resorts such as 'Blue Water,' Golden Sun', Villa Ocean View' etc. 

The Ceylon Tourist Board has identified the potential for upmarket tourism, which is at its maximum at 'The Privilege!

The luxury suites will be fully air conditioned with hot and cold water and includes other special features such as 32 channel TV, king size bed, minibar, private safe in room, piped music, attached toilets with very high quality fittings. The project will also consist of two swimming pools (main pool with hydrospa, and a kiddies pool) and jacuzzi, three bars including pool bar, two restaurants (one speciality and Cofee Shop), 24-hour Room Service, Private Beach, Indoor Games like Billiards and Table Tennis, mini golf course, wind surfing, water skiing and health farm. 

Boating in the river within walking distance and a motor racing circuit within 30 minutes drive south on an abandoned air strip are the other attractions. Animation and entertainment programmes will keep the guests fully occupied coupled with a charming personalised service with the Sri Lankan smile. 

The completed project will be a Sri Lankan Resort Hotel with high European standards. 

Veteran Hotelier Susil de Alwis mooted this project and he is very keen to cater to the very upmarket segment. 

Managing Director/Chairman of the enterprise, Susil de Alwis counts 25 years experience in the hospitality industry. 

"A luxury, elegance and high quality service is what one should expect at the 'The Privilege' which is considered to be the most exclusive', 'all suite' hotel in the south west coast today. It has also found itself a niche in the top echelon of luxury hotels in the south east Asian region and pampers your every sense rejuvenating body and mind like never before", said Susil. 

"Guests spending more than six days will be provided with free transport from the airport and back, a complimentary bottle of French champagne, fresh fruit basket, flowers on arrival. Special honeymoon and wedding packages are arranged, he added. 

The interior of each unit consists of sleeping and sitting areas separated by the bath room. The sleeping area consists of a built-in bed recessed in to a low platform leaving ledges along the bedsides. On one side is an opening to a courtyard. The sitting area which also functions as a TV lobby, is to contain low seating with colourful silk cushions. The unique feature of the bath room is the vanity and toilet seat separated by the shower cubicle constructed within a decorative iron frame. Mosaic floor tiles are to be used for effect along the sides. Each unit has an open outdoor pavilion accessible from the room. The courtyard between the room blocks will be utilized as a food court with nightly music and entertainment with festive lights. 

'The Privilege' will be in action from September 2001.

The Delta Force

In the first shocking hours after the take over, the plane circles aimlessly in the air as the terrorists make their initial demands. For the dozens of innocent captives, the hijacking builds terrors both real and imagined. Finally, the plane lands in Beirut. Women and children are set free; at gunpoint, the male passengers and crew are split into two groups and moved to separate locations. Concerned governments scramble to establish lines of diplomatic communications with the terrorists. But the United States opts for action, unleashing The Delta Force for a daring double-rescue mission that electrifies the world. 

On ETV at 9.00 p.m. on Sunday 

Sinhala documentary on 'coral reefs' released

The 45-minute documentary, called Hirigal Thrikonaya is to be launched on March 29 at the BMICH Cinema Hall, and is being repeated several times during the week-long exhibition.

Hirigal Thrikonaya is the Sinhala version of an outstanding television programme called Coral Triangle, produced in the mid-1990s by the BBC and the International Television Trust for the Environment (TVE). It tells the story of the coral reefs surrounding the 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines, which are being dynamited, poisoned, quarried and sold for short-term profit. The documentary assesses the pressures put on the country's most valuable resource by a growing population.

The film has breath-taking sequences of coral reef biodiversity filmed underwater, including one that shows a group of young Filipino boys driving shoals of fish into huge underwater nets, in the dangerous technique known as maru ami, or chamber-net fishing. 

But as the film argues, the treasures of the reef could be exploited on a more sustainable basis if importers and tourists respect international regulations on endangered species. The Filipino experience holds valuable lessons for Sri Lanka as we struggle to conserve coral reefs that are under similar pressures.

The SLETP voice-dubbed this documentary into Sinhala as part of its on-going process to introduce outstanding environment and development films to Sri Lankan audiences. The script was translated by senior journalist Banduransi Perera, and the dubbing process was co-ordinated by SLETP Executive Director Nalaka Gunawardene. The programme is narrated by Kamal Deshapriya.

Both Sinhala and English version of this coral reef programme - along with many other films - are now available for sale from the SLETP office at 24, First Lane, Koswatte Road, Nawala, Rajagiriya. 

New team for MAF

Nihal Fernando was elected the new president and Priya Peiris of Labambas elected as the secretary. 

Nihal Nelson and Ransiri Peiris are the two other office bearers.

Meanwhile MAF's new country and folk sing-along concert will be held tonight at Ran Mal Hotel, Moratuwa. 

'Hansel and Gretel'

Extracted from the popular 19th century compilation, Grimms Fairy Tales this interpretation of this much loved fairy tale by Nick Cornal assures you of two whole nights of classy entertainment.

This production by the Lyceum students is a modern adaptation of the traditional story retold in pantomime verse. It retains the ancient heritage while adapting itself to modern times. 

The presence of evil, humour, magic and animals with human characteristics, terminating in the triumph of good over evil go hand in hand with the modern popular theatre techniques as buffoonery, doggerel verse, farcical situations, song and dance et cetera.

The play is directed by George Cooke while the producer is Shabinaz Meerwald. Helen Christoffelsz and Anoma Fernando handle the music in expert style. Oosha Saravanamuttu, who certainly needs no introduction, handles the dancing in this performance. 

Tickets are priced at Rs. 350/-, Rs. 250/-, Rs. 200/- and Rs. 100/- (Balcony). The box plan will be at the venue on the days of the show.

'Brenda Starr': The story of a news reporter

By Sanath Weerasuriya

"Brenda Starr' is a story of a beautiful blonde reporter, who sniffs and runs after a murder. 

Brooke Shield of "Blue Lagoon" fame star as Brenda Starr and Timothy Dalton of James Bond fame play against Brooke. Also starring are Diana Scarwid, Anthony Jay Peck, Jeffrey Tambor, June Gable and Charles Durning . 

Illustrator Mike Randall draws the face of an absolutely gorgeous female with long red hair: Brenda Starr. She's the eternally youthful, always beautiful, keen, feminine but professionally indefatiguable ace reporter for the Flash, and she comes to life in living colour before Mike's disbelieving eyes - and ours! She can solve a murder, sniff out a thief, face disaster with the coolness of a secret agent, and will break all the rules in her determined quest for a scoop - while flawlessly coiffed and her pinup - perfect body (36-22-36) clothed in the newest, chicest fashions.

"Bug off, Buster," Brenda tells her illustrator and strikes out on her own on a series of adventures. The first involves a shootout between the New York City police force and Public Enemy No. 3. Brenda gains access to the gangster's lair, is instrumental in delivering the felons to justice, outscoops her arch rival, Libby Lipps, as usual, and winds up in the hospital in the process.

But Brenda's hardboiled editor, Livwright, has much more in store for her - a story "that's bigger than the atom bomb!" He wants Brenda to find a certain Kreutzer, an ex-Nazi who's disappeared into the South American jungle with a secret formula so important it can change the world.

In his office, Livwright introduces Brenda to the handsome, mysterious, amazingly dashing Basil St. John. Wearing an eye patch, he's the man who sent the unusual black orchid to Brenda's hospital room. Our heroine is more than just a little bit in love with Basil, but alas, the distinguished and honourable Basil feels unworthy of the star reporter. 

It seems he's afflicted with a strange congenital malady that is controlled only by a serum made from the rare black orchids, which he grows deep in the South American jungles. And with just about everyone on her trail - from two bumbling Russian agents to Libby Lipps who's after the story as well - Brenda departs on one of her most dangerous assignments with St. John leading her through the jungle to Kreutzer. Our ace reporter has become involved in a new adventure, one in which the well-being of her country, her paper, her co-workers, and her own heart is perilously at stake....

The film is directed by Robert Ellis Miller 

'Diya Sewaneli': Revolves around the death of a kid

The seventh direction of Niyaz who has done several films for the silver screen as well as the mini screen is an emotional story based on a true incident. The story of Diya Sewanali revolves around the death of a twelve month old child. The fourteen episode teledrama is around a search for the cause of this "unexplainable" death and why it happened that way. 

"The story is made around the tragic experience of people I was acquainted with", Niyaz said. 

Director of several popular films like "Yasoma", "Blendings" and "Sanda Yahanata", Niyaz is also the director of "Mun Nethi Da" and "Gini Dalu Mada" some of his ventures for the small screen which won the heart of the viewers.

Filmed in the areas around Kurunegala it is a production of Ruhani Weerasinghe. 

The principal cast of the teledrama will include Palitha Silva, Sasanthi Jayasekera, Rohani Weerasinghe, Roshan Pilapitiya, Nilanthi Wijesinghe and Priyantha Wijekone. 

Scripted and directed by Mohammed Niyaz, Gayantha Wickrema-singhe wields the editor's pen while art director is Hemachandra Perera . 

Jerome Denum will introduce himself as a music director for the mini screen while Daya Suriyaarachchi is behind the camera. 

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