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Dramatic feast from StageLight&Magic
StageLight&Magic Inc. (SLM), the theatre company which gave audiences such productions “R&J – the tale of Romeo & Juliet” and “The Compleat wrks of Wllm Shkspr” celebrates 10 years in theatre this year.

To mark this occasion SLM plans to stage two ambitious productions in June and September. Starting off the 10th- year celebration for SLM will be the comic unit of the company, Stagefright&Panic’s production of “Uh-Merry-Kar – A compleat, unabrijed account of the histry of the greatest nation on Urrth!” This time the Stagefright&Panic team on stage consisting of Anuruddha Fernando & Feroze Kamardeen, are joined by Michael Holsinger. Together, the three actors take the audience through a hilarious romp through American history.

Complete with quiz shows, an interactive audience segment and even an alternate ending for the play. “Uh-Merry-Kar - A compleat, unabrijed account of the histry of the greatest nation on Urrth!” promises to be an irreverent look at American history. Directed by Feroze Kamardeen, the play is scheduled to open in June this year at the Wendt.

Come September SLM will unveil its biggest production to date with their version of William Shakespeare’s classic story of “The Merchant of Venice”.

Simply titled “Venice” the play will feature some of the finest acting and singing talent on stage and continuing with their pioneering tradition will feature a group of talented musicians providing live accompaniment to the singers on stage. Rehearsals for “Venice” have already commenced. Marsh Dodanwela, who starred in SLM’s productions of “Big Brother is Watching” (Winston Smith) and “R&J” (Romeo), Swasha Perera who played Juliet in “R&J” and Carol in the critically acclaimed “Oleanna”, Prasad Pereira, Michael Holsinger, Chamat Arambewela, Sashen Perera are joined on stage by a cast of over 35. Ranil Gunewardane of Krebs Cycle and HollowPointHalo fame is joined by Shannon Jacobs, Robert Francise, Ranon Jayatunga, Wijendra Senaratne, and Srilal Ahangama to provide the live music for this project. Billed as SLM’s flagship production, “Venice” will be the biggest play ever undertaken by the theatre company in terms of acting and material resources, with a scheduled performance run across 17 days.

“Venice” will be directed by Feroze Kamardeen and produced by Sirraj Abdul Hameed and Leyon Rajaratne. Those who are interested in joining this production as actors, singers, musicians or backstage crew can contact SLM on stagelightandmagic@hotmail.com or on 0777 747725.

Pushing boundaries of theatre
Since their inception SLM has striven to push the boundaries of English theatre and the diversity of their productions and box-office success speaks volumes.
“The Legend of Macbeth” in 1996 fused rock music with the tale of the Scottish general while “Julius Caesar – The Anatomy of an Assassination” in 1997 saw the great political tragedy being set in a modern day city-state called Rome. Gun-toting bodyguards in a real live military police motorcade escorted General Caesar to the Wendt. From the multi-media projections, to the play being set as part of a news programme, to the use of paint-ball guns to carry out Caesar’s assassination and the spectacular battle scenes, this play saw many new innovations on the Wendt stage.

In 1998 StageLight&Magic staged Ariel Dorfman’s play “Widows”. Once again breaking new ground, the play focused on war, extra-judicial killings and the trauma of a group of women waiting for the return of their loved ones. “Widows” was a landmark production in the sense that it gave serious theatre, commercial success after a long time. “The Accidental Death of an Anarchist” set Dario Fo’s classic in a fictitious Sri Lankan police station, while “Animal Farm” saw a rock band live on stage with the actors for the first time.

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