Welcome return of a veteran, with a new generation
A refreshing change
Be there tomorrow

Welcome return of a veteran, with a new generation

It's nice to see veteran dramatist Henry Jayasena back in action on stage. To see him work with a new generation is even more heartening.

He has revived his celebrated translation of 'Caucasian Chalk Circle' (Hunuwataye Kathawa) to coincide with the 101st birth anniversary of Bertolt Brecht, (tonight it is being staged at the Lumbini Theatre), after a continuous run of 29 years – longest run for a first production.

For many of us who have seen and enjoyed Hunuwataya over and over again, some characters don't leave us in a hurry. Among them are Manel Jayasena (she has created a record for herself by not missing a single performance out of the 2500 odd shows as Grusche, the kitchen maid), Henry himself as Azdak, the kind hearted judge, Wijeratne Warakagoda , the narrator and Chula Kariyawasam as Shauwa and Santin Gunawardena, the soldier. Out of them, only Santin is out in the new production but Henry is quite happy with the new actor.

Henry is very pleased with the commitment of the new cast. "As you know I am a strict disciplinarian when it comes to rehearsals. I insist on everyone being there sharp on time. I must say no one has let me down." Henry picked up the new faces from a drama course he recently conducted for the Tower Hall Foundation. "They are a very talented and dedicated lot," he says. The musical score, rhythms and melodies created by Shelton Premaratne for Hunuwataya marked a significant development in theatre music.The same music is still being played by the second generation of musicians, most of them sons of some who played in the original orchestra. Nalin Alwis leads the orchestra in the new production.

A refreshing change

Creator of the National Anthem Ananda Samarakoon composed its original version (Namo Namo Matha) in the early forties when he was a music teacher at Mahinda College, Galle. A young TV director, Senesh Bandara took us back there the other day presenting a refreshing documentary on the National Anthem. Based on a script by Sugath Watagedera, his was a successful attempt which brought out the story in a memorable way.

The documentary, which was telecast over Rupavahini to mark Independence Day, was not a mere narration of how the National Anthem was born. Two well known stage personalities, Bandula Vithanage and Kaushalya Fernando presented the story while the different versions of the National Anthem were sung by groups of singers. These included a song composed by Samarakoon in 1939 'Jana Sema Mana' based on India's National Anthem, and the one sung on February 4, 1948 to commemorate the gaining of Independence – a composition by P. B. Elangasinghe (well known notary from Gampola) set to music by Lionel Edirisinghe.

The setting at Mahinda College to present 'Namo Namo Matha' by a group of students clad in school uniforms had been recreated in an authentic manner using the Olcott Hall. And then on to the present version, 'Sri Lanka Matha'. Issues relating to the controversy surrounding the changes made to the original composition and the frustrations of the composer were not touched upon. Possibly it was felt these were irrelevant for a documentary of this type.

Be there tomorrow

Get to the John de Silva Theatre tomorrow and pay tribute to dramatist Sugathapala de Silva. You can participate in several activities jointly planned by the Cultural Department, Sinhala Drama Panel of the Arts Council and the Tower Hall Foundation.

In the morning three exhibitions are being opened. These relate to photographs of his productions, books written by him,posters and video clippings. Another respected dramatist, Henry Jayasena presides over the felicitation ceremony to be held at 3.30 in the afternoon.

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