Samadara plays new role on stage

Film, teledrama and stage play actress Samadara Ariyawansa's maiden stage production ‘Awasara Maharaja’, a comedy will go on the boards from January 18 at Tower Hall theatre, Maradana. Thirty five years in the stage, small-screen and cinema, Samadara has played in over 200 stage plays and nearly 250 teledramas and a number of films including 'Akkai Nangi', 'Wadula' and 'Kiri Suwanda'. Samadara plays prominent roles in 'Paba' and 'Pini Kunatuwa' which are now being telecast on ITN and Swarnavahini channels. Entering the miniscreen in late dramatist and playwright Simon Nawagaththegama's 'Saru Dawasak' in the early 1990s, the actress had played a variety of roles for television under most of the leading directors.

Starting with the influence of her mother former actress Ranjana Ariyawansa, for Samadara shootings, locations and stage were familiar settings from her childhood. Encouraged by her mother, she took up acting and had been carrying on for more than three decades."Among the roles I played in my career, the part I played in the political satire 'Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni' was remarkable as it really helped me to win the hearts of my fans" says Samadara analyzing her roles for the teledramas. Confined to a wheel chair, her role as a paralysed woman in Michelle Fonseka's 'Walmathwuwo' which is yet to be telecast is another remarkable role she had done for the miniscreen. Among the other teledramas yet to be telecast are 'Muwan Pelassa', 'Serathesa Nima' and 'Dehadak Athara'.

"Making a stage play was a long dream I had and I wanted to start it with a lighter and simple play 'Awasara Maharaja'," Samadara described about her new production.

With the prevailing situation in the country and in the entertainment field it is a real challenge to make a stage play, she said. "But somehow I wanted to do it with the hope of doing a bigger production in the future," she added.

"Even though we perform in many teledramas, playing in a stage play is a completely different experience and the satisfaction you get out of it is immense," Samadara stated. 'Awasara Maharaja' has already received several bookings in Colombo and outside and shows could be arranged by contacting Samadara Ariyawansa No. 11, Kurunduwatte, Wedamulla Mawatha, Kelaniya or by contacting her on 0777653090.

The cast in the play are Sunil Hettiarachchi, Samadara Ariyawansa, Sandun Wijesiri, Premadasa Vithanage, Damitha Saluwadana, Stanley Krishnaratne, Priyantha Kahapala Arachchi, Herman Fernando and Udaya Kumari Ranasinghe. Behind the screen, Priyantha Kahapala Arachchi is the make up artiste, Ajith Nanayakkara handles the music, scripted by Bernard Wijeywardena and the play is produced and directed by Samadara Ariyawansa.