Dance and song with magical touch

The Nutcracker tells the story of two children, Marie and Fritz, who receive a magical gift from their Godfather Judge Drosselmeier, a tiny nutcracker.

When midnight strikes, the nutcracker comes alive. Then follows a thrilling battle between the Mouse King and the army of Toy Soldiers. Soon it's time for Marie and the nutcracker to embark on a thrilling journey to Candy Land where they meet many delightful characters.

The cast comprises children between the ages of six and 12. The production is directed by Nafisa Amirudeen with choreography by Oosha Saravanamuttu. Music direction and accompaniment is by Subashini Talwatta. The costumes too are designed by Nafisa, Oosha and Subashini and executed by Rupa Weerasinghe, Merian Gunarathna and Tharanga Danansuriya. 

A very British play on Lankan stage

'Daisy Pulls it off' was written by Denise Deegan, British born and British bred, in 1982, and first performed in 1983 in the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton. It is a sharp-eyed, keen-eared parody, of life in an English boarding school, where the plucky heroine - 'Daisy Meredith' is forced to face all kinds of vicious attacks and condemnations from her jealous schoolgirl rivals. 

'Grangewood School for Young Ladies' is the setting: 'a rambling red brick Elizabethan mansion, its mullioned windows twinkling in the sun like so many welcoming eyes beneath curious twisted chimneys'. Grangewood does indeed have some beautiful characteristics, its positioning on a cliff hanging over the sea, acres of grounds and resources galore....but the snobbish attitudes of people found in the world in places like Grangewood have encouraged the 4th Form of the school to create a play of morals. 

Putting on a play is both an intensive and pre-occupying experience. From the moment the text is selected, you have a blank card on which to draw, though you have to be prepared to uncover limitations and loopholes en route.

The children at The British School have worked really hard and have had considerable fun analyzing these 'true British schoolgirls'. 

There have been several moments of pure indulgence for me...teaching 22 smiling children my favourite English hymns for the assembly scenes....demonstrating how to reveal drawn out, ecstatic pleasure over the eating of a gooey cream cake....messing around for hours with a group of girls and hockey sticks for them to gain the rules of a 'bully off'.....

The production goes on the boards at the Russian Centre on November 15, 16 and 17. Tickets could be booked by calling The British School on 873579/873566. 

Nushara for Mrs. World

By Laila Nasry

In the absence of a local pageant (the present local scenario not permitting one), Nushara Atapattu has been nominated. Rosy Senanayake, former Mrs. World and franchise holder for the pageant had approached Nushara earlier too. "It was just after I had had my baby and I wasn't ready then," says Nushara. "I think now I'm ready to represent our country and people. I'm more mentally prepared and will go with the determination of bringing back the crown," she says with confidence. 

She sees the pageant which is to be held from December 9-17, as a good opportunity to open up the doors of Sri Lanka to the world. 

Nushara has been preparing for the grand event for months. A lithe and willowy figure doesn't come easy and physical training figures prominently on the list of 'must do' with her husband helping in that aspect. Nevertheless she does not believe in strict diet regimes. "Deep down, nobody wants to deprive themselves. It's all about eating moderately and taking regular exercise."

Dinesh Chandrasena will design her final evening gown while local designers Michael Wijesuriya and Poornima of Inspirations are also helping out with her wardrobe.

Nushara sees a big difference between a 'Miss' pageant and a 'Mrs' pageant. Though primarily the qualifying difference lies in one's marital status, she says there is a lot of emphasis on family life. According to Nushara it's about balancing one's life and requires more talent than a 'Miss' pageant for it involves the success of both one's career and marriage. "The true quality and true strength of a woman is to hold it altogether," she says adding that she counts as her biggest achievement the ability to juggle her job as wife, mother and professional model successfully. 

For her the pageant promises to be another chance to meet people, touch somebody's life and make a difference. "I'm going with my family and with the grace of God. I have this feeling that God is holding my hand."

So will she wear the crown? Nushara puts it simply. 

"Whatever the outcome I will come back and there will still be my daughter and family to love me unconditionally, so I have nothing to lose."