Combine a devoted wife, a king renowned for his hospitality, an exiled God sentenced to serve a mortal king and a divine hero and you will have a recipe for a night of riveting theatre.
The Drama Society and Classical Association of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia brings to life ‘Alcestis’ - a play written by ancient Greek playwright, Euripides.
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| Vinodh Senadeera |
Dilhara Dias Samarasekara |
Apollo is sent down to serve King Admetus, as penance for killing the Cyclops who fashioned the thunderbolt for Zeus. As a favour for the kindness bestowed on him by the King, Apollo convinces the fates (Moiroi) to let Admetus live past his time, if another takes his place instead.
But when Admetus’s time to die arrives, there is no one take his place. Finally his wife dutifully steps in to save her husband’s life and die in his place and the play begins with Alcestis close upon her death, and swiftly unfolds thereafter.
“One of the reasons we wanted to do this is because, if you look at a list of all the other past productions in school you’ll see that we’ve done a wide range of theatre. Comedies, tragedies, musicals, historical plays, abstract theatre – you name it we’ve done it.
I always feel that it’s good to give exposure to the boys of the school to the traditional forms of theatre,” explains Director, Vinodh Senadeera adding that the discipline and technique that traditional theatre brought to the table was imperative for all actors.
Elaborating that while reminiscing about the history of the school, the realisation that ‘Alcestis’ had been performed in 1872 by the Drama Society and the fact that it had been recently included in the A/L syllabus for Greek and Roman Civilisation only spurred them further to embark on this production.
“From the classical point of view, we are reviving the classical association of S. Thomas' College,” adds Dilhara Dias Samarasekara, Teacher in charge of the classical association.
“The audience will really experience a brand new atmosphere” voices Vinodh. With a theatron being built in the grounds, Olympic torches and ambient lighting, audiences will be transported back to Greece as they follow the story of Alcestis and the fate which finally befalls her.
‘Alcestis’ presented by the Drama Society and Classical Association of S. Thomas’ College will take place at the ‘Theatron’, College Grounds from May 7- 10 from 8.00pm. onwards.
Tickets are priced at Rs. 500 and are available at Park Street Mews, Commons and the College Gym. The production is sponsored by Kotmale, Park Street Mews and Commons.
Media Sponsors for the event are Gold FM, Daily Mirror and the Sunday Times. |
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