Talented actor and playwright Richard Manamudalai’s latest theatrical production ‘Udumbara’ will go on the boards at 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm on June 5 at Negombo Town hall.
Having produced ‘Sakunthala’ as his maiden theatrical production, ‘Udumbara’ is based on a Jathaka Katha story. Based on Kalidasa’s poem, ‘Sakunthala’, a visual poetic drama that came to the final round of the State Drama Festival and won awards. Encouraged by the response, Richard has produced ‘Udumbara’ in the same style using poetic language in the stage sets.
“Udumbara’ is a sub story that comes in ‘Ummagga Jathakaya’, the longest story in the Jathaka Katha and is part of the Grade 10 school syllabus.
“Being a Sinhala teacher, I found that the children are lethargic and not interested in the lessons. I wanted to produce this play as a visual aid for the students to make them interested in literature as well as in the play,” Richard said explaining his venture.
“With my 28 year experience in the art and the teaching fields I realized that with the present rat race it is impossible to awaken the aesthetic interest of children through poetry in the academic syllabus,” Richard said.
‘Udumbara’ is played by Nimal Jayashantha, Randima Thilini, Upali Weeraratne, Boniface Jayashantha, Hemantha Liyanapathirana, Rohitha Gunasekara, Chryshantha Warnakula, Lalith Seneviratne, Jayampathi Guruge and Richard himself.
Behind the screen Upali Weeraratne Bandara handled the music direction, and Wasantha Vittachchi is in charge of make-up department and Wasantha Kumara handles lighting. Vidyaratne Fernando choreographed and Stephen Thirimanne wrote the musical score for the stage play. |
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