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The
cast
Christine Daae:
Playing the 17-year-old girl who, having been very attached to her
father, substitutes the mysterious Angel of Music as her mentor,
Serela's biggest challenge stems from the fact that, in person,
she is very different to her character. "She is so unsure of
herself until the very end when she shows some strength of character,"
she says. But it's obvious she enjoys what she's doing and, like
for many of those in the cast, this is a dream come true. Ever since
she discovered the world of musicals, Serela has been obsessed with
the Phantom of the Opera - "I've wanted to play Christine since
I was 12. I can now die happy!" Raoul: Aristocrat,
Vicomte de Chagny better known as the romantic Raoul, is a childhood
friend of Christine's who falls in love with her. Both Sean Amarasekere
and Manoj Singanayagam who play the role on certain nights are clear
on one thing - although a romantic, Raoul is a strong character
and not a wishy-washy Romeo figure. Says Sean: "He is a young
man who is trying to protect the person he loves without knowing
what he's getting into. There is definitely a growth in this character.
After all, he's got the nerve to stand up to the phantom."
For Sean, Phantom is one of those big productions you just want
to be a part of and give your little bit to. "It's theatre,
it's escapism, it takes you to a place you've never been before!" Carlotta Giudicelli:
"Carlotta is the leading soprano of the opera, and like most
prima donnas, is an absolute cat," grins Kumudini David and
it's obvious it's a role she relishes. "As Carlotta, I try
to hang on to my previous glory and I am not at all pleased that
I am being shelved because of Christine. It's about the most fun,
most free role in the production and I am enjoying myself tremendously." Mme. Giry: Played by Shanuki de Alwis on some nights, Mme. Giry, according to Shanuki is very much a cameo role. "She is the ballet mistress of the opera, severe, strict and generally a spooky old woman. The air of mystery comes about because she is the only one who knows about the Phantom and although she doesn't have a very big part, she sets the atmosphere for the Phantom long before he makes his appearance - she is the link." The challenge is the element of control, which applies more for this role than it would for perhaps a Carlotta, which you can have a ball with. "The important thing is play her as something more than just an ordinary old woman, without overdoing it."
When seventy-year-old
Raoul buys a music box at an auction held at the Paris Opera House,
it takes him back to his youth when he was in love with a girl who
was haunted by a freak, people called the Phantom of the Opera.
Another item, a chandelier, completely jolts his memory and transports
him back in time. Thus begins the story of love, intrigue and mystery
set against the dramatic backdrop of the glitzy Parisian opera society
in 1911. "There
was a sort of natural build up to it and by the time I had worked
out the script, I couldn't remember why the musical had seemed such
a daunting task initially." For Jerome,
it's the singing that is the most challenging aspect of the play,
considering the setting is the Paris Opera House and the performers
are all opera singers. Added to that is the fact that the play is
maximum singing with minimum dialogue - "So it is quite exhausting." Exhausting
it may well be, but the enthusiasm of the cast knows no bounds.
If there was one unanimous thought expressed by the cast members,
it was the experience of being together for this show and the support
they got from each other. Ninety-five per cent of this cast is completely
new and yet, Jerome already sees the steady maturing and growing
process taking place within his cast. Says Shanuki de Alwis, who
has been involved in other productions by the Workshop Players,
"You learn a lot of things even if you've acted before. I know
for a fact we are all more aware of theatre technique and we'll
leave better actors, singers and dancers than we were before." For Manoj Singanayagam,
the beauty of the play lies in the intensity of the acting - "Even
without the special effects, the music and drama alone can make
the script a fabulous piece of work." Anything they can promise
their audience? "Just sit back and give us a chance. You just
might leave mesmerised." The production
team includes Jerome de Silva, Surein de S. Wijeratne, Thushan Dias,
Ranga Dasanayake, Nimal Bulathsinhala, Buddadasa Galappaththi, Soundarie
David, Lou Ching Wong and Yoshita Abeysekere. The Phantom of the Opera opens on October 17 and continues till October 28 at the Lionel Wendt.
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