From lemonade stand to stage
View(s):With Clutch Plays Theatre set to perform ‘The Amazing Lemonade Girl’, the true story of a young girl’s battle with cancer, the cast invites the audience to not just watch a play but to be inspired by her courage and resilience
By Vinuri Gunaratne
Her story lives on through ‘Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’, which has funded over a thousand medical research projects for children’s health, proving that even the smallest hands can make the biggest of impacts.
A young girl’s determination takes centrestage: The cast at rehearsals. On our Magazine cover are: Tahsha de Silva, Danelle Toussaint, Dulya de Silva (top row - left to right) and Hajarah Faleel, Nethra Peiris and Januki Jayakody (front row, l-r) Pix courtesy Clutch Plays Theatre
This week, Clutch Plays Theatre will bring to the stage ‘The Amazing Lemonade Girl’, the true story of this extraordinary young girl who showed that determination and resilience can sprout from the unlikeliest of places. The play goes on the boards from September 5 to 8, at the Kamatha Hall of the BMICH.
“She has this insane hope, and it’s refreshing to see the world through her eyes,” says Danelle Toussaint, who plays Alex. Her optimism stems from her unparalleled maturity despite her young age, that she was able to grasp what many take a lifetime to realise—that life is not as straightforward as one would hope, Danelle adds.
Directors Hasanga Liyanagunawardena and Mayaan Haputantri
Upon selecting the play for Clutch Plays Theatre, directors Mayaan Haputantri and Hasanga Liyanagunawardena were adamant about collaborating with the Indira Cancer Trust. Net proceeds from the show will be donated to the Trust’s paediatric cancer programme. Acknowledging that cancer is universal and impacts nearly every family, Maayan and Hasanga chose ‘The Amazing Lemonade Girl’ to not just tell a story but to encourage the audience to draw on Alex’s unwavering optimism and drive.
Hasanga describes ‘The Amazing Lemonade Girl’ as a return to Maayan’s signature storytelling style—one that blends artistry with a deeper message. “This play is almost a comeback to his brand of purpose-driven plays.”
“We wanted to remain as authentic as possible,” Maayan adds, “that is why we were determined to visit the Indira Cancer Trust and spend time with the patients. We wanted to ensure that our portrayal was empathetic.”
The young cast have been working tirelessly to perfect their scenes, particularly as the ensemble characters are to play multiple roles.
Says Dulya De Silva, who plays Ensemble 5 and portrays Alex’s doctor, “I observed the doctors at the Indira Cancer Trust closely and how they delivered bad news in a sympathetic tone, I did a lot of preparation to make sure nothing seemed sugarcoated.”
Januki Jayakody, who plays Ensemble 1, said she reached out for inspiration from others, such as her friends, family, and those in the Indira Cancer Trust, to help bring all the distinct characters to life.
| The Indira Cancer Trust Founded by former Parliamentarian and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in memory of his daughter, Indira Jayasuriya, in 2016, the Indira Cancer Trust provides support for cancer patients and their caregivers, as well as spreading awareness on the disease. Their programmes support patients with the necessary facilities to be diagnosed, treated and rehabilitated in their fight against cancer. | |
“The most difficult aspect for me has been slipping from one character who is rather bubbly, to Alex’s father, who has just received the news of his daughter’s diagnosis, to a newspaper reporter, who is more objective,” says Hajarah Faleel.
The directors emphasised how driven and motivated the cast has been, truly embodying Alex’s strong-willed nature both on and off stage. Moreover, the new thrust staging method they have adopted, will see the audience immersed in the play. Unlike traditional stages, this extends the audience to the left and right of the actors, and though it presents new challenges for the cast and crew, it creates a more engaging experience, bringing the audience into the scenes.
As the curtains rise for ‘The Amazing Lemonade Girl’, audiences are invited to not just watch a performance but to take part in a movement of hope and resilience. The play is not just a tribute to Alex but a call to action for us all. In a world where the sour can overwhelm the sweet, Clutch Plays Theatre’s production offers a refreshing taste of hope and resilience, reminding us all that even in the most trying times, there is always a way to make lemonade.
The Amazing Lemonade Girl will be staged at the Kamatha Hall, BMICH,
from September 5–8 at 7.30 p.m. On the 7th and 8th there will also be matinée shows at 3.30 p.m.
Tickets priced at Rs. 2500 can be purchased online through the link:
bit.ly/talg24 or via the QR code below.
The link can also be found on Instagram and Facebook (@clutchplaystheatre).
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