Andrew David, veteran thespian and director, remembers the Lionel Wendt before the advent of air conditioning or generators. It took nearly two tonnes of ice and multiple fans to chill the auditorium, he says, explaining that the process would begin an hour in advance of any performance. The fans, driving the cool air through a clever ventilation system were surprisingly effective.
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| Andrew David looks back. |
Another memory is of what happened one night when the generators failed. The theatre company simply threw open the doors and had cars parked on the driveway that encircled the building point their headlights at the stage. The performance then continued. These and other stories are served with tea and slices of cake from Mr. David’s recent 80th birthday party. His wife of over 25 years, Mary Anne sits beside him. They met while working on a production to be held at the Wendt – and that’s another story altogether.
The theatre that Mr. David identifies as “home” first opened its doors to the public in 1953 for a production of Maxim Gorky’s ‘Lower Depths’ directed by Neumann Jubal. Five years later, Mr. David would perform in the theatre for the first time at the behest of the man whose commitment had made the whole centre possible. Meant as a tribute to the memory of the incredibly gifted photographer and musician Lionel Wendt, the theatre had Harold Peiris, noted philanthropist and polygot, to thank for its existence.
When they met Mr. Peiris, Mr. David thought him a charming man. In his early twenties and still a student, Mr. David was already an accomplished actor. He had been cast as Orsino in a 1958 Peter Coe production of Twelfth Night, which had just completed a successful tour of India. Sharing his first impressions of Harold Peiris he says, “he was a broad faced, big made man with big, wide smile and a ready laugh...he was extremely generous, that much I know....his house near Green Cabin was an open house and people would drop in all the time.”
With that first production completed Mr. David would go on to stage at many, many productions at the Wendt and is now one of its longest users. “I can’t keep a count of them,” he says, explaining that in his time he was a member of several theatre companies including the Thespians and the Theatre Lovers. “Every one of them did a play or a musical at the Wendt during the year.” With many weeks of hectic rehearsals, the players invariably got comfortable with the theatre. Even audiences appreciated the intimacy it offered and its distinctive personality. It’s the same today. “It has a certain warmth - where the audience is always with the players - it makes a big difference when we are on stage,” says Mr. David praising the beautiful acoustics of the theatre. “The Lionel Wendt is home and the staff are practically family,” he adds, simply.
The Lionel Wendt Memorial Festival
The Lionel Wendt Memorial Festival presented at the Lionel Wendt Art Centre is in commemoration of the 110th Birth Anniversary of the iconic photographer Lionel Wendt. Incorporating art, sculpture, photography, dance and music, the festival will be on from November 16 to 20.
A series of concerts will feature some of Sri Lanka’s most successful artists. An eclectic programme promises to provide a rich and diverse sampling of local talent. With its choirs, dance troupes and individual artists, the festival will bring together over 150 artists and performers, a majority of whom have performed previously at the Wendt.
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| Mary Anne in a duet with Lylie Godridge |
The event has been in the pipeline since last year, revealed a spokesperson for the Lionel Wendt Trust, explaining that it has only become a reality thanks to the enthusiasm of the artists in question, all of whom are offering their services gratis.
Simply finding available dates has also been a challenge. With all 52 weekends booked up to a year in advance, the organisers have had to carve out time for the event.
However, all funds raised will be poured back into the Trust and directed towards maintenance and upkeep of the centre.
Tickets are available at the Lionel Wendt box office and are priced at 1,000, 750, 500 and 300 for balcony. Season tickets that allow entrance to all three concerts are priced at 2,000. Main sponsors for the event are The Royal Norwegian Embassy. Co-sponsors are Leo Burnett. MTV is the electronic media sponsor and The Sunday Times is the print media sponsor for the festival. |
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