Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

The Excalibur magic
Successful theatre has three aspects. These are the actors, the audience and the play. But for the theatre to realise its potential, someone needs to guide all aspects of the production with his or her point of view. This person is the director. With that in mind, we called on Jehan Bastians and Neidra Williams to find out how they’ve been doing directing their play The Legend Of Excalibur.

Jehan and Neidra founded their production company Silent Hands in 1997 to help the many people who wanted to do productions but didn’t have the knowledge and expertise necessary. They started out being simply a “theatre support company,” just working on the technical aspects. Today we find them a creative and professional team, starting with A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2003, and now Excalibur, their second full-length production.

The company’s forte is “creating magic on stage.” According to Jehan, they “very rarely use expensive gimmicks, but instead play around with the lights and music.” He didn’t want to reveal all his trade secrets before opening night, but he gave us a few hints. Using spotlights he plans to make people appear and disappear, with atmospheric music he’ll set the mood, and with dry ice he’ll create an eerie lake on stage. It’s magic all the way.

Charith de Silva, who plays Mordred and has worked on the set said, “They’re not the kind of directors who will let the special effects overpower the acting. The actor comes first.” However, they have still put a lot of work into set and props, importing a special sword from Singapore to be used for Excalibur and researching background on the Internet. This year they are trying out new software written by their stage manager Cassim to control the lighting. Still, “with under a month to go I try to focus more on the play and the acting,” says Jehan.

Their directing style is unique. Though they’re experienced (Jehan has been directing for nine years), they let their actors make the decisions. Shanuki de Alwis, who plays Guinevere, says, “Since they’re young, everyone can chip in and give ideas, but they’re also creative on their own.”

Jehan and Neidra let the more experienced actors interpret their characters, but they also help everyone perfect their expressions, vocal techniques, movements, etc. Smiling, Shanuki added, “the husband and wife combination makes it interesting.” They’re very open to each other’s ideas and work as a team.

The cast also gets along well. Rehearsals are full of jokes and laughter, and it’s clear that they enjoy working together. The only tension on the set seemed to come from Mario de Soysa and Shanuki, who, as Lancelot and Guinevere, are the lovebirds in the play. There’s anything but love between them offstage as they trade friendly insults, though it’s a completely different story on stage. (Still, the two of them try not to let their personal feelings interfere with the play!)

What really makes a play run is what goes on behind the scenes, and it’s no different for Excalibur. Music has a huge impact on the audience, and therefore songs by artistes like Enya were chosen to suit the moods in the play. Special sound effects courtesy of Danush de Costa create magic, from the peal of thunder for Merlin’s entrance to the wind for Morgan Le Faye. Chris was very important as a handyman who organised licenses, finances, and other practical matters.

For an outsider, everything at rehearsals seems to run smoothly, and in Jehan’s opinion, it’s a lot of fun working with the cast, though it’s tough handling the production.

Mohamed Adamaly (better known as Adam), who plays Arthur, says that he was worried about the language, but overcame it. Mario added that in the beginning when they were all reading the script, many people said “it was boring and didn’t read well, but once acted out, it wasn’t boring at all.”

The actors made the language clear with their expressions and tone, and the narrator Jerome de Silva is there to explain the plot and link the scenes. The audience attention can be sustained because the play is short, finishing in just four acts.

There are about 28 cast members taking part, and when they all get together for rehearsals it’s what you’d expect from a bunch of young people; loud, happy and a bit crazy. But, when they put their costumes and make-up on and get on stage, they become professionals.

Prasad Pereira, who plays Merlin, got it right when he said, “They are an enthusiastic group and a bunch of experts with raw talent.” With everything falling into place, all the cast has left to wonder about is the audience. But that, of course, will have to wait till opening night.

Experience the “magic on stage” at the Lionel Wendt on July 23, 24 and 25 at 7.30 p.m. The box plan is available at the Lionel Wendt. The Legend of Excalibur is sponsored by Graphitech (Pvt) Ltd, Art TV, and the Sunday Times.

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