Shirley writes on children's drama

Young dramatist, actor, television programme producer and writer Shirley Samarasinghe's maiden literary works on children's theatre will be launched at the Mahaweli Centre at 2.30 pm on October 2 (tomorrow).

‘Sri Laankeya Lama Natya Wansaya’ (The Chronicle of Children Drama in Sri Lanka) and ‘Lamaviya, Saundarya Adyapanaya ha Lama Natya Kalawa’ (The Childhood, Aesthetic Studies and the art of Children’s Drama) will be released with participation of Prof. Walter Marasinghe.

The book launches are in collaboration of World's Children's day. Dramatists and playwrights Palitha Lokupathagama, Indika Ferdinando and Chamika Hathlahawatte are to deliver speeches at the launch held with the participation of leading children’s theatre personalities, journalists, artistes and university lecturers.

Having joined in Sarachchandra's children’s plays he involved in children’s theatre under Lalitha Sarachchandra. Playing a minor role in Sarachchandra's play 'Wella Wehum" Shirley develops his attraction to children's plays.

Completing Advanced Level at Horana Vidyartha Shirley obtained a Fine Arts Degree from Kelaniya University. The enthusiastic graduate decided to further his knowledge on the theatre and did his drama diploma 1999/2000.

"We study theatre by trial and error as we don't have proper guidance and institution to learn systematically. Unlike other productions there is a danger in making children's play without proper knowledge. This is because it is a highly sensitive area where children could be easily misled," says Shirley explaining the risk in making children's production.

‘Specially the specialized people such as teachers and educators must involve in children theatre’ he emphasized.

Shirley's maiden theatre production 'Bonikkai Thuwakkuwai' (Doll and the Toy gun) in 2002 won several awards including Best actress at the State Children Drama Festival in addition its successful screenings in different parts of the country. The play had a number of successful shows in Hanguranketha, Kegalla, Horana, Piliyandala and in Colombo schools.

‘This play was performed by child and adult cast’

Speaking about children's theatre in Sri Lanka Shirley says "There are over 200 children's stage plays produced every year but unfortunately only about 10 percent are developed into plays and perform in public".

"Some of these plays forwarded for children drama festivals are put aside due to failures in the script and in the second round due to failures due their production and performance," Shirley elaborated.

If we can develop these failures and bring them to the audience there would be a large number of plays that could be witnessed by Sri Lankan theatergoers.

When asked how does he differentiate the theatre and the children's theatre, director says "A children's play should suit the children in everyway. With a good script along a good children's drama can not be produced. The theme, costume, stage setting, lighting, music and all the components should be suitable for the children. Even the colour used in children’s theatre has a big impact on the child's mind,".
"The children's plays are very important mode of teaching. Singing, handling of voice, choreography and everything helps to build a child with a good personality,". "It is with this in mind that I wrote these books," Shirley stated.

Attached to the Education Programme Unit of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Shirley produces children's programme for television in addition to his involvement in children's theatre.