The great American dancer Martha Graham was said to have dubbed the Lionel Wendt “the best theatre this side of the Suez Canal” in 1957. Drummer par excellence, Ravibandu Vidyapathi first heard of this from his father, and it came as no surprise. Speaking about the man for whom the theatre was named, Ravibandu says, “As a great photographer, Lionel Wendt has left behind a body of work that is beyond praise. But above all, his greatest legacy remains the Lionel Wendt centre. It is a national treasure.”
In the coming days, many of the artists who have performed at the Wendt will return to pay tribute at the Lionel Wendt Memorial Festival. Held in commemoration of the 110th Birth Anniversary of the iconic photographer Lionel Wendt, the event is set to become an annual gathering of some of the country’s best known musicians, dancers, sculptors, painters and photographers. In years to come, organizers say the event will grow to incorporate theatre as well.
From November 16- 20 this year, the festival will include three concerts dedicated to classical and choral music, and one devoted exclusively to an eclectic selection of dance performances (see programme at right). This week we asked a few of the participating artists to share what they most loved about the Wendt with you.
Read on:
“You get a response because it’s a small hall, the acoustics are so good that there is a warmth in the interaction between the audience and the performers. Of course, the acoustics lend to that experience.”
- Ramya de Livera Perera-
(pianist, teacher and trustee of the Lionel Wendt Trust) on what makes the Lionel Wendt so appealing to performers.
“As a dancer choreographer I feel that the Lionel Wendt is the best equipped theatre in the country. The Lionel Wendt offers a choreographer the perfect frame, allowing the audience to view the performance like a well framed painting. The design of the theatre is such that you can apply any kind of theatrical technique to enhance your choreography or performance.”
Remembering a performer he particularly admired: “Among the most memorable [among past performances] was seeing Chitrasena in the role of Othello on the Lionel Wendt stage.
I saw him perform as a child of 8 or 9 years old, the year was 1968. In fact, I have seen many performances by Chitrasena and Vajira at the Lionel Wendt, and they have all been memorable.”
- Ravibandu Vidyapathi -
(drummer, dancer, choreographer and leader of the Ravibandu Drum Ensemble) on how the Wendt stage is the perfect backdrop to his presentations.
“It is the only theatre in Colombo I would ever perform in...It has everything I need of a theatre.”
- Jerome L. De Silva -
(singer, actor, director, and artistic director of The Workshop Players) on why, beginning in 1970, he has been involved in well over 75 productions at the Wendt.
“I have been associated with ‘The Wendt’ as it is fondly referred to for many years now, first becoming acquainted with the thrill of dancing on a large stage in front of a huge audience when I worked as a child learning to dance with Sheila Mack and many others.
Even then this splendid theatre was the finest Sri Lanka had ever seen. British theatre directors, drama groups of professionals such as C.A.D.C, Choreographers, local theatre companies headed by both Sinhala and Tamil directors adopted the Wendt at their chosen platform for creative expression.”
- Kanthi Ranchigoda -
(dancer, choreographer, teacher and head of the dance school Dance Works Centre) on how the Wendt bridged the gap between English and theatre in Sinhala and Tamil.
Tickets are available at the Lionel Wendt box office and are priced at Rs 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.
Memorial Festival programme:
Programme Launch
Tuesday, November 16
Opening of Art and Sculpture exhibition (invitees only): - 6 p.m. Main Gallery
(Artists and sculptors exhibit their work on canvas, stone, copper and bronze)
Opening of Camera Work (invitees only) – Exhibition of Lionel Wendt photographs – 7 p.m., Harold Peiris Gallery
The Art Centre Collection of Original Lionel Wendt photographs,
These exhibitions will continue till November 20, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily)
Wednesday, November 17 – Saturday, 20:
The Photographic Society Exhibit
An Exhibition of Photographs presented by the Photographic Society of Sri Lanka -
The Song of Ceylon – Produced by Basil Wright & Narrated by Lionel Wendt
The Film will be shown at the Photographic Society Studio
Thursday, November 18
An Evening of Classical Music– 7 p.m. Lionel Wend Theatre
Featuring Cello Ensemble - by Dushy Perera
Preshanthi Navaratnam (Soprano) accompanied by Soundari David
Trio - Ramya De Livera Perera (piano) Ananda Dabare (violin) Dushy Perera (cello)
The De Lanerolle Brothers
Eshantha Pieris (piano)
Duet - Natalie Gunaratna (soprano) & Preshanthi Navaratnam (soprano)
Friday, November 19 –
An Evening of Choral Music -7 p.m. Lionel Wendt Theatre
Featuring - Revelations
Soul Sounds
Merry An Singers
Peterite Chorale
Old Joes Choir
Menaka Singers
Saturday,
November 20
Lionel Wendt and his camera work - A critique by Menika Van Der Poorten- 5 p.m. Harold Peiris Gallery
An Evening of Dance -7 p.m - Lionel Wendt Theatre
Featuring Mohan Sudusinghe (Kandyan Dance)
Dance Works Centre (Hip Hop/Jazz Ballet)
Tony Fernandez (Latin American)
Ravi Bandu Dance Ensemble (Traditional)
Senaka Abeyratna (Modern Dance)
Wendy Perera & Rangika Jeevantha(Classical Ballet)
Temple of Fine Art ( Bharatha Natyam)
“Lionel Wendt Gallery is more ‘democratic space’ although it is a white cube and it is open to all. Most of my solo exhibitions happened to be here. It has a great spirit.
The space is not repressing you. I love to organize my shows here because I don’t feel alone at Lionel Wendt and it helps you to think without disturbing you.”
- Chandraguptha
Thenuwara -
(artist, lecturer and director of the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts)
on exhibiting at the Wendt.
“My first performance in 1987, before I left for Russia, was at the Lionel Wendt. Since then most of my concerts have been here. It is a very suitable place. It is a good hall with good acoustics...There have been many memorable concerts here.”
- Ananda Dabare -
(violinist, teacher, co-conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka and conductor of the Junior Symphony Orchestra) on how his concerts and those of his pupil have frequently been staged at the Wendt.
“I first performed at the Wendt when I was 16 and now the place is so familiar that even if there’s no light I can still find my way to the dressing room...From Dilrukshi to R.K to Rupasinghe, Wijerathne and Michael - we’ve known the staff for years. I knew them from before I met Andrew and they carried Andre as a child and now they’re taking direction from him.”
- Mary Anne David -
(singer, pianist, teacher and head of the Merry An Singers) on how the Lionel Wendt is an essential element in the history of two generations.
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