Andre and Dinali duo hit the Aussie stage
View(s):By Anoushka Jayasuriya
Book the dates! The Merry-An Singers are returning for a gala reunion concert next year on January 5, 6 and 7 at the Lionel Wendt.
This undertaking has brought singer Dinali David, to Colombo from Perth in Australia where she lives with her family – husband Andre David and their children. Andre is the son of Mary-Anne and Andrew David, who need absolutely no introduction to Sri Lanka’s music enthusiasts.
Dinali and Andre (far right) with young cast of ‘13 The Musical’
A singer, soloist and lead soprano of the Merry-An Singers under Mary Anne’s training, Dinali is Managing Director of her tech start up, Lemon App, a custom software and app development company
Back in Colombo last month, Dinali spoke to the Sunday Times about their new theatre venture — The Colour Blind Theatre Company that had its first production in April in Perth. Their theatre company aims to create a society in which children and young people of all racial identities have equal access to and opportunity to pursue their dreams. The musical had a sizable cast of 33 members with 13 main actors.
Andre and Dinali who moved to Australia 10 years ago chose ‘13 The Musical’ as their debut production. Staged at the Carey Baptist College Auditorium, the musical was based on the Broadway production of the same name with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn. Andre helmed the production as music director, artistic director and conductor while Dinali was co-director and producer.
The musical chronicles the life of a young Jewish boy living in the United States who soon after turning 13, is faced with the challenges that follow with entering his teenage years. Says Dinali, “ ‘13’ was a fitting choice for the company’s first production as the story details important lessons for the youth including about peer pressure and features discussions on disability, consent, stereotyping, bullying and more.
“We worked out that if we wanted to create awareness and make a change, the best way to do it is to have a little extra focus on the generation that is coming up – we can create something where tomorrow is going to be good for our kids.”
Founded in July 2022, The Colour Blind Theatre Company strives to broaden opportunities for young performers of all backgrounds and bring diverse performances to the Western Australian stage. “The whole idea is to bring out the power of theatre to heal and to form bonds and to create peace.”
The production ran for three days from April 13 – 15. “The reception was amazing,” says Dinali who recalled a full house on the final night of the show which ended with a standing ovation lasting several minutes and favourable reviews by local critics.
Their next production will be ‘The Waitress’ based on the book by Jessie Nelson with a small adult cast.
The group is in the process of establishing a non-profit organization in memory of Andrew David whereby funds raised will be used to support the growth and development of the performing arts in Sri Lanka.
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