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Magazine |
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Animals
rule the roost at the Wendt
Says Shohan,
"Unlike the other animals who don't see the bigger picture
(that explains why they got into Shohan's truck to grab a drink,
that evening) Benjamin mulls over everything that happens around
him. He thinks a lot and sees through the schemes hatched by the
pigs. However, at the end, he is left feeling frustrated because
he has to convince the rest of the animals in the farm and it is
too late by then." For around
seven months now a cast of over 30 have been hard at practice putting
together a play, which has been both fun and tiring. The idea to
do Animal Farm was mooted over 16 months ago when Feroze Kamardeen,
(who, having read the book and found it fascinating) had by chance,
'stumbled across the script.' "I felt it was quite do-able.
So I spoke to the guys at StageLight & Magic and things got
underway," says Feroze who directs the play. The play opens
with a father narrating the story of Animal Farm to his two children
at bed time and progresses as a dream the children have. "The
play is a brilliant adaptation of the book and Feroze has done an
excellent job," says Krishan Jayaratnam (after a bit of forewarning
by the director himself to say nice things to the press). Krishan plays
Napoleon, the conniving plot - hatching pig and is convinced he
wouldn't be liked so much after the play. "I plan my moves
very calculatingly. I have a very mean, very evil kind of character."
Adding with a wicked gleam, "This time I have the pleasure
for artfully getting rid of my brother…I keep reminding myself
of all the times he used to bully me," he adds laughing. The passion
to make someone laugh or cry, is what drives Krishan on stage, a
passion he says, which is shared by most in the cast. "I just
have a ball," says Anuruddha Fernando who plays Boxer the cart
horse, convinced that "even at 50 or 60 years he will still
be acting." Reconciling
the initial conflict of playing animals saw the cast having to work
doubly hard. Says Marissa Jansz who plays Clover, a motherly mare,
"We sat down and worked out specific traits for each of our
characters," adding Clover "is protective, motherly and
very high strung. Once the animals took human shape it was easy
to get into the mood, we let the play take us on its shoulders.
" However, the
distinction of humans and animals never arises "when Feroze
decides to give us food," says Krishan. "Our appetites
are such, there is no difference between humans and animals then." "The play
is very powerful, moving and tragic and it takes nothing away from
the book," says Anuruddha. "It shows the downside of majority
rule with the masses swayed by a charismatic ruler." Playing
the de facto leader of the masses, Anuruddha says his character,
Boxer does not realise that he is being mislead by 'democratic cons'.
"The play
doesn't push communism as such, it's all about politicians and their
lies," says Feroze who adds, "It resembles politics in
general and the Sri Lankan context in particular." Nevertheless,
Feroze says the play neither preaches nor sermonises. "It's
just a play. While you are at it you can stand up and dance, clap
if you want, sing along…it's your call," says Feroze.
"Later probably while over dinner you will realise 'Ah, this
is something that happens day to day,' and that's what we want to
achieve." "Playing
it differently," is what Feroze has planned for Animal Farm,
and playing it "rock musicalish style," is what's on his
mind. Kreb Cycle, a popular rock band is to take the stage with
the cast joined by The Kreators, Ranjana Amaradeva and Neomal de
Alwis. "Any play must entertain," he says confident that
such novelty will also be well received by the older audience as
well. Adding, "everyone wants to be 'with it'. Even the costumes
are going to be totally different. It's almost like a pantomime."
The main sponsor
for the evening is Sinwa Shoes. Co-sponsors are Dialog GSM and National
Lotteries Board. The official
newspaper is The Sunday Times while the electronic media sponsor
is Yes FM. Slide show and equipment are by courtesy of Aquarius
Audio Visuals and music equipment is provided by Yamaha Music Centre.
Costumes and masks are designed and produced by Sonali White of
the Haddai Label. Tickets are now available at the Wendt. So join the fun. |
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Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
"Benjamin
is an intelligent donkey," says Shohan Chandiram (that's only
when he decides to keep with the script and not drive fellow animals
round the bend after practice) of the character he plays in the
upcoming play Animal Farm, which will go on boards at the Lionel
Wendt from July 4-8. 
