Bumping, fumbling and laughter all the way

By Hussain Saibo

When it is light it is dark and when it is dark it is all light and the play 'Black Comedy' glows with fun and laughter from start to finish. Put on by the Performing Arts Company and based on Peter Shaffer's hilarious play written in 1965 it has not dated one jot and gave audiences at the Lionel Wendt all they had anticipated by way of classy comedy the Players have come to establish a reputation for. It is a pity I have to get to readers who may have missed out on the notices because today's performance will perhaps be the last; it has been on the boards at the Lionel Wendt since February 19. If you have not seen the play already or want a repeat of an evening's delight again do take your chance to see the play today.

On Sunday February 21, the day I saw the play, there was a nearly full house. In an unusual turn we were told the play beginning on time at 7.30 p.m. would run for 85 minutes without a break. No one I am sure would have needed one because the jokes came on thick and fast, with slapstick at a high level never degenerating into vulgarity, even as the characters in the play fumbled in what for them was supposed to be the dark, bumping into furniture and into each other as the plot unfolded. A programme note told us that the central idea for the play, the actors in bright light pretending to be in the dark, was gleaned (by the writer) from a trip to the 'Peking Opera', a visiting company performing in London in the sixties.

Our Mirror Magazine of February 14, carries a preview of the play in which the producer and lead actor Mohamed Adamally speaks of the importance of the pace and timing in the play for its success and how hard all the young players - with a number of newcomers thrown in - had to rehearse to see that it was all impeccably carried through. The preview tells you all about the cast and their roles. All of them without exception - Mohamed Adamally, Shanuka De Alwis, Wanda Godleib, Dayan Candappa, Jerome L. de Silva, Ian Herft, Neidra Williams and Michael Holsinger - gave commendable performances. The laughter and the applause on the night I went to the play told it all. My only reservation, perhaps a minor one, is for Neidra Williams' portrayal of Clea where the cockney intona-tion tended not to be clear enough as one had to strain to catch the speech.

A word on the decor, and the sets which were excellently done and took a bit of battering. I am surprised players escaped broken limbs during the performances and came out unscathed! The lighting too was superb with timing again counting for much - lights dimming as a match was struck or a torch turned on, in keeping with the theme of the play. And a final word on the make-up and hairstyling. Well done I thought because I couldn't at the start identify Adamally and was waiting for some other whom I thought may be the protagonist to come on.

All in all a splendid show and an enjoyable one at that.

I will work on and on says DLS's grand old captain

By Ruvini Jayasinghe

"Quiet I shall sit,
Moving not a bit,
Feet I shall rest,
Hands on my breast.
Eyelids downward creep,
Soon I'll be asleep."

And with this Daphne Lord, known to her students as Aunty Daphne, founder and principal of the Daphne Lord School of Speech and Drama (DLS) went to sleep, sitting in front of her toddler pupils. Or so the five-year-old students believed.

Opening her eyes seconds later to the utter amazement of her class, Aunty Daphne asked them to do the same together with her-go to sleep, body held erect, hands folded on breast and feet crossed.

Through this entire 'juvenile deception' (lasting not more than a few minutes) Aunty Daphne went to sleep, her body perfectly still, breathing relaxed and regular. Gently she opened her eyes; she was up from her chair in one fluid movement to wish us "good evening children".

The speech class proper then began.

As an 18-year-old trainee teacher at the same school, I had to take my young charges through the same time tested relaxation exercise prior to teaching them how to speak. I admit I cheated again! Curiosity got the better of me and I lifted my eyelids just a fraction to discover amused grins, wide-open eyes, and some jerking and pinching going on!

But at DLS, the principal and her team of young 'aunties' tackled everything from mischievous children to the virtues of William Shakespeare and William Wordsworth with unfailing skill, dedication and sheer talent, that has made the school one of the leading institutions teaching speech and drama. The old guard as I remember them have left to be replaced by young talent.

But DLS still has its captain steering the ship through many a storm and calm sea through its 50-year journey. And here I share with the thousands of students who have gone through the DLS School, Aunty Daphne's thoughts, as founder/principal and ex-student/ex trainee teacher took a trip down memory lane....

Q: Your feelings on 50 years of teaching speech and drama?

A; I thank God for these 50 years. But I can't imagine I've been teaching for 50 years. Every day it has been work. Sometimes I feel my whole life is a drama!

Q With 50 years of teaching speech and drama behind you any special message to teachers and students?

A. Be simple, clear and audible. Speak so that everyone can understand you.

Q What are your greatest achievements in your teaching career?

A. The Christmas pageants that I did year in and year out and stopped only a few years ago come immediately to my mind.

I took children from the slums to act in these plays. Training them was tough. The Calvary 66, a three day passion play, the Pilgrimage of Love was another. Of course I can't forget all the DLS concerts and plays etc.

Q: What are the examinations that your students sit for?

A; We prepare students for British or local examinations. The choice is theirs. The foreign examinations like LAMDA, TCM, the Trinity College examinations are rather expensive. Students have the option of taking the less expensive IWMS examinations.

As a teacher and an examiner I feel that learning should be less exam oriented. Actually after my jubilee celebration I am planning a series of competitions for my students, like writing, spelling B, scrabble, choral speech, oratorical contests and drama.

Q Who taught you?

A. Wendy Whatmore, Yoland Abeyweera for speech, Arthur Vanlangenberg for drama and Mother St. John Yudes of the Good Shepherd Order for spoken English.

Q. Over the last 50 years have the standards of teaching and learning changed?

A. Yes, definitely. Now the craze is for spoken English. With job migration and open economy the demand for English as a link language is increasing. Spoken English classes are mushrooming everywhere. Some people expect us to change our standards to accommodate large groups of students. But we have stuck to our old standards and formats.

But there is a decline in interest for speech and drama and effective speaking courses. I feel that this country needs effective speaking rather than drama because what is important is to speak well so that people understand you perfectly. Speech and Drama is more for theatre. It ends up in theatre.

Q: This brings up another crucial point; the standard of teaching. Your comments?

A; Yes, it is common knowledge that some who teach spoken English cannot even speak the language properly leave alone writing and grammar. Pronunciation is incorrect and grammar improper. But it seems to be a money-spinner.

Q: Isn't this development very disturbing?

A. Yes it is. We are looking at starting a proficiency certificate for teachers. But the real problem is that there is a deficiency of good teachers in the outstations. Good teachers are not in keeping with the huge demand for spoken English. We get requests from the corporate sector also to teach their minor staff, peons etc. But we too have a shortage of teachers and cannot oblige everybody.

Q. Any regrets?

A. Just that I have not been able to spend as much time as I would have liked with my family. They have been extremely patient and encouraged me; My six children and my husband. I have to thank them for their support.

Q: Who is going to take over the reins?

A; I leave it to the Lord. (no pun intended) I am resigned to the fact that I will work on and on...

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