Top stage plays go on boards

By Sanath Weerasuriya

Three top dramas ‘Maname’, ‘Horu Samaga Heluwen’ and ‘Gajaman Puwatha’ will be staged at the Lionel Wendt next week.

Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra's 'Maname', Prasanna Vithanage's 'Horu Samaga Heluwen' and Dayananda Gunawardena's ‘Gajaman Puwatha’ will go on boards on 10, 11 and 12 November respectively at 3.30 and 7.00 pm.

The drama 'Gajaman Puwatha', first staged at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on October 14, 1975 will be revived and go on boards again at the Wendt Theatre on November 12.

The main objective of this exercise in recreating this drama is to revive the enthusiasm once again in self-styled drama among the youth of this country. 'Gajaman Puwatha' was the first theatre production in Sri Lanka to adopt the docu drama style.

'Gajaman Puwatha', the highly acclaimed production of the late Dayananda Gunawardena is presented by Nalu Keerthi Sabha Theatre troupe.

The role of Gajaman Nona is played by Rathmalie Gunasekara while Nissanka Diddeniya acts as Elapatha Mudali. Support caste includes Rohana Beddage, Neil Alles, Jayalath Manoratna, Chandrasoma Binduhewa, Rodney Warnakula, Chandra Kaluaarachchi, Rathnasheela Perera, Nelum Kalubowila, Nilanthi Heendeniya, Tharanga Kumari, Kumara Liyanage, Indika Jayasinghe, Sujani Nissanka, Ferni Roshini, Dulanjani Weerakkody and Shalika. The music and dance compositions are by Rohana Beddage.

Music is directed by Ranjith Balasuriya while stage management and props are by Ashoka Jayasinghe. Costumes are by Irangani Gunawardena. The sponsors for this venture are Chandralal Sooriyaarachchi and Bandu Liyanage. Jude Srimal functions as the Chief Organizer of the Show.

Meanwhile, the 100th performance of Prasanna Vithanage's 'Horu Samaga Heluwen' takes place at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on 11 November 2006.

The hit play debuted in February this year at the Elphinstone in Maradana and has continued to remain popular throughout its run in theatres islandwide.

‘Horu Samaga Heluwen’ features an impressive lineup of established and newer players from the Sinhala theatre, including such names as Jayalath Monoratne, Dayadewa Edirisinghe, Saumya Liyanage, Gayani Gisanthika, Jayani Senanayake, Prasannajith Abeysuriya, Prasad Sooriyarachchi, Vasantha Weerakkody (Who Doubles as Costume Designer) and Hashinika Karaliyadde.

The play features original music by Tharupathi Munasinghe. Chandana Nishantha Peiris is the Show's stage manager, assisted by Asoka Zoysa. Buddadasa Galappatti, a veteran in the field, will do makeup while Jude Srimal is Chief Organizer. 'Horu Samaga Heluwen' is produced by Rohan Samaradivakara.