Just a little bit of clowning around

"Don't forget to tell her that Easter is gone and that Christmas has come early this year." Sound a tad confusing? What if I were to tell you that this was in fact a coded message said by the Minister's Secretary – George Palliyaguru, to the Minister – Richard Parakrama, to be conveyed to the Minister's mistress – Jennifer Almeida, explaining that the Minister's code name Charlie 'Easter' had been changed to Noel 'Christmas'… Any clearer now? Just as I thought.

Let me put it this way. The above excerpt is only a snippet of the tangled web of lies, confusion and deceit weaved by the likes of George, Richard, Jennifer, Richard's wife – Pamela and the Hotel Manager of the 'Cinnamon Great', from Yes, Hon Minister, a Silent Hands production to be staged at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, from May 18-20 at 7.30 p.m.

This localised adaptation of Ray Coony's original play Two Into One (under special arrangement with Samuel French Inc.) is presented by the Interact District and is directed jointly by Jehan Bastians and Neidra Williams. “We selected this play in particular because it was easy to adapt to a Sri Lankan context and it was very funny. We've managed to localise it quite a lot so as to make it easier for our audiences to relate to,” explained co-director Neidra.

The play revolves around the antics of Junior MP Richard Parakrama and his charming and loyal secretary George Palliyaguru. George tends to like things simple and straightforward. Much to his anxiety and disapproval though, his philandering employer's lifestyle leans far too close to the edge. Thus, triggering a series of unfortunate but hilarious events, leaving both George's sanity and sexuality in question!

Spiraling from one hysterical situation to the next, George finds himself caught right between 'the devil and the deep blue sea'; having to carry out his boss's rather dubious requests and satisfying Mrs. Parakrama's (his boss's rather sensual wife) numerous questionable demands. In an attempt to please both Mr. and Mrs. Parakrama, George is unwillingly drawn deeper and deeper into the mire.

Throw in the suspicious hotel manager, the curious receptionist, the somewhat 'intellectually challenged' waiter – Rupasingha and Jeniffer's perplexed husband to the general chaos, and it doesn't take much to imagine what is to come!
What with false names, elevators, mistaken identities and a surfeit of phone calls, Yes, Hon Minister will leave audiences in utter hysteria!

Co-sponsors for this event are Suntel, Strategic Partnership Solutions and The San Francisco Jeans Co. The Official Electronic Media Sponsors are Channel One MTV and Yes FM, and the Official Print Media Sponsor is The Sunday Times.

Tickets are available at the Wendt. Parking with security has been arranged at Maitland Crescent with a three-wheel shuttle service organised to and from the theatre.