| Mirror
Magazine |
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Take a closer
look in the mirror The 'Mirror
Making Factory' (MMF) which goes on the boards at the Lionel Wendt
on March 21 and 22 conveys most of its message through the clever
use of wit entwined in sarcasm and irony. The play revolves
around a bunch of students being taken on a tour of the Modern Man
Foundation. The students are shown the basics of the foundation.
An average day at the factory consists of creating perfect human
beings, an entire new generation. A populace that's in complete
sync with the rest of the community and doesn't even know the meaning
of the word 'different'. A do-you-know
contest is initially held for all potential candidates of the MMF,
to test their knowledge on what's normal and what's not. They are
tested on politics, general knowledge and general awareness. The
competition reveals the foolishness of most of our everyday activities
that we take for granted as 'normal'. However, if anyone steps out
of these boundaries, even if it may seem more sensible to do so,
they are immediately Therefore,
anyone who attempts to be different or rather, is different, is
sent down to 'basement three'. …The highly classified, dark
underground area in the MMF where they are made to reside. The students
are specifically shown this area, as the MMF has a policy to help
create awareness amidst the younger generation on "…how
stupid some people can be in trying to resist the new trends of
society". "I just
hope that in some small way, the play can help change even a few
people's outlook on mental health. Then it would really have fulfilled
its purpose, as it has helped the cast in this respect," says
Director, Ruwanthie De Chickera. Not only the layperson but also
local thespians and all those working for mental health in our country
should be able to take something productive back, from this production,
says Ruwanthie. Ideally, through
the performance of the MMF, if the boundaries around the field of
theatre regarding who can and cannot write, act, direct or produce
a play can be broken, then that too would be quite an achievement.
Breaking through this boundary is all part of the normalizing process,
she adds. The use of bilingualism in the play too helps to add colour
and life and bring out the meaning effectively. Designer (sets,
costumes, posters etc.)/actor/co-writer of the MMF, Omar Chunchi
says, that acting is usually one-dimensional but, when you combine
both the acting and working behind the scenes, you see much more
clearly. The main challenge is to utilize the time and resources
we have in the most productive way possible. What you can do then,
is limitless, he adds enthusiastically. "Personally
I'm a bit of a perfectionist and when things don't go the way I
want them to, it's a bit difficult for me to handle. However, during
the course of the play, I've had to deal with certain aspects not
turning out the way I had planned. Thus, I learnt to accept things
the way they turned out, instead of insisting on having it according
to my original idea" says he. The normal
vs. abnormal concept, although subtle, is very effective in getting
the message across to the viewers. "I got ideas from both Ruwanthie
and the others in the cast and then designed what I needed. I like
to draw and sketch, so it was fun putting it to good use,"
he said modestly. Sophie Kneebone,
from the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development cum volunteer
at Sahanaya who's in charge of costumes & props and also co-writer
and actress, says that it's been an amazing experience to work towards
a project like this. "Although I've done similar projects before,
it's never been anything on this scale. Sophie adds
that it's been really great watching people's confidence grow, including
her own. Usually she keeps away from performing on stage whenever
possible, so this has been a learning experience for her too, she
says. This whole production is more about the process rather than
the finished product because it's amazing how everyone has recognized
their hidden talents and true potential. One point in
the play where the graduates of the MMF surround the isolated 'rejects'
in the reject room and laugh at them, with the sole intent of making
them uncomfortable and humiliated, is sure to hit home for many
of us. Although it may not take place in the same way, instances
like this are numerous in our everyday lives and our conversations. It's time now
for people to begin to take some responsibility for their actions
and even speech and realise that the mentally ill are human too
and deserve the respect and acceptance unquestioningly shown to
any other human being. If we are to
change our way of thinking, we need to consciously make an effort
to do so. Therefore, merely watching the play and identifying with
certain characters will not suffice, we need to live out the change
and make a genuine attempt to make a difference. Each of us must
be able help accelerate the de-stigmatising process and do our bit
to make a difference in the lives of the 'Silent Sufferers'. The MMF plans to have a one-on-one with society on March 21 and 22 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. Find out what your role is in MMF. You might discover that the truth does, in fact hurt. Tickets will be available at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. A
team effort
The script was a combined effort of all the members of the 'writing
group', consisting of clients & staff of Sahanaya and members
of 'Stages'. This group too, was formed through the workshops, where
potential talent was identified and aptly put to use. From the acting
to the directing to the set and costume designing and making, it's
all been a group effort of the cast and other youngsters interested
in this cause.
The proceeds will go towards improving the services provided at
Sahanaya and ensuring that those who seek assistance from this institute
would receive the best it can offer. |
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Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Foundation.
labelled
as being abnormal or in short the 'rejects' of society.
