Not just comedy

By Delon Weerasinghe

Three actors just after a bout of chicken pox and a journalist with the flu would in itself make an interesting situation for a play. But I was there to do a story on a different play, and the three of them would have been much more comfortable forgetting their the chickenpox episode.

This was the first time the cast of "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" was meeting after the director Feroze Kamardeen, and two of the actors Ifaz Bin Jameel who plays a maniac and Asanka Ariyachandra who plays IP Surasena suddenly came down with the chickenpox earlier in the month.

"It's all his fault," they say pointing accusingly at Ifaz, "he was the first to get it." As accusations fly thick and fast some of the actors are feeling left out. Anuruddah Fernando who plays IP Weerasena in the play for instance says that he, "fully intends to get the pox by the production of this play, which will bring the total number of pox ridden people to an astounding four considering that there are only six people in the play." The jokes being tossed around by the cast makes it obvious that they have gelled well as a comedy team. They all realise that this is essential when playing comedy, because unlike a serious play, comedy relies a lot more on a team effort, a point that does not escape the director. "I think directing comedies are far more difficult than directing serious plays, simply because of all the timing involved. Lots of issues of co-ordination, of re-action and all that."

The play "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" is based on an actual incident that took place in Italy. It involved the suspicious death of a man accused of planting a bomb, who fell from a window of the police headquarters. This incident raised so many questions about issues of police brutality that it caused quite a scandal at the time. Dario Fo who was a playwright, felt that this was a very good topic for a play but was faced with a dilemma - how he would get this subject matter past the censors. And then he hit on the perfect idea - he would make the play a comedy. But he made it one scathing tongue-in-cheek satire. "The play itself was designed by Fo to be a statement of the political health of the country. The original play had many references to scandals of the Italian government at that time. Likewise, the play that you will see here will have references to Sri Lanka,"says Feroze Kamardeen, the director.

Feroze feels that the issues this play attempts to deal with are universal. He also feels very strongly about the point the play tries to make. "It's like a common thread, wherever you go, be it a developing country or a developed one, police brutality exists. There is police brutality in South Africa, in the USA, England and Sri Lanka. I find that essentially something very wrong, because the Police Station is supposed to be one of the safest places a citizen can go to. The police are supposed to be the guardians of law and order not the other way around." "To me it's not just another comedy, to me it's one that makes one hell of a statement. It doesn't really go all out to make a statement; there are no sermons in it - none. But what make this play special, is that such a serious topic is being communicated in such a hilarious way."

This is the first time since his debut in professional theatre that Feroze will not be acting in one of his productions. He feels though that this play required that he decide what exactly his contribution was going to be. Because he feels that this is one play where it would have been very difficult to do two things at once.

And he has no regrets, "Sitting out gives me more control than when I am on stage. When you are on stage it is very difficult because you cannot look at the bigger picture. It also creates some sort of frustration in the cast, to have one of the actors step out and watch the play. For this play, I think me not acting helped me a lot to direct this play properly."

The play itself takes place in the police headquarters. A lunatic has been taken into custody for impersonation. The lunatic is the catalyst through which the play unfolds. As the play progresses the lunatic takes on several roles.

Ifaz who plays the lunatic believes that this is the toughest role he has played, "I have acted different kinds of roles but not all in one play. The first time I did it was for Widows, where I played three different roles. But I feel that this is more demanding." To complicate issues further a journalist, played by Michelle Perera also enters the picture. "Originally," says Feroze, "Michelle was to play herself, but we decided at the last moment to change her name to Rachel de Soyza."

Michelle has acted in all of Feroze's plays and has nothing but praise for him. "He is very easy to act with. One of the very few actors that you can create chemistry with on stage, and then you have him as a director. He has a tremendous amount of vision. I am not saying that because he is the Director, but because he has." She also notes the contribution made to the play by Mohamed Adamaly who plays the Superintendent. "He is an expert at doing comedy, and I think that especially the younger members of the cast have benefited greatly by his presence." Feroze agrees with her, "Adam of course has helped a lot. It will give you some idea of his contribution if I say that he brings in something new everyday."

So everything's set for the "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" to hit the boards. Chickenpox now well and truly behind them, the cast is confident that they can make a good showing. The play will be staged at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, Colombo, from the May 5-9.

Fashion

Ramzi at the top

Well-known hairdresser Ramzi Rahaman was elected President of the Sri Lanka Association of Hairdressers and Beauticians (SLAHAB) at their annual general meeting held recently.

The other members of the Executive Committee appointed for 1999 are: Vice-President, Thilaque de Silva; Treasurer, Kanchana Godigamuwa; Committee Members, Dilani Wijeratne, Fathima Zuhri, Rozanna Saleem and Connal Beckmeyer.

SLAHAB was formed three years ago with the objective of developing the hair and beauty industry by way of education and training. Ms. Nayana Karunaratne, another well known hair stylist and beautician and founder president of the association said SLAHAB aimed to give equal opportunities to both, the better known and lesser known hair stylists and beauticians.

Having been in the hair and beauty industry for almost 25 years, the new President of SLAHAB, Ramzi Rahaman said SLAHAB hopes to conduct seminars and workshops at least once every three months which would update its members on the modern techniques of hair styling, hair colouring, perming, make-up, etc. The annual competition, "Hair Asia Pacific" which brings together all leading hair stylists and beauticians in the Asian region will be held in November, and "Bridal Fair" early next year.

The "Asian Hair and Make-Up Competition" which will be held in Korea in June will see many participants from Sri Lanka and those interested could contact Ramzi Rahaman at No. 65/7A, D.S. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 8. Telephone: 698932 or Fax: 683722 for further details.

Deodorant soaps

There is no question that the regular use of deodorant soaps helps to diminish normal body odour, but the question of their necessity for most individuals is another matter.

These soaps contain various antiseptic or antibacterial agents that remain on the skin after rinsing. This chemical residue then acts to reduce the bacterial population of the skin. Body odour results from the action of bacteria on the skin's secretions primarily sweat produced by the apocrine glands.

While advertisements often indicate that we all need to use deodorant soaps, the facts are not quite so clear-cut. Though it is true that these products do a better job than plain soap in reducing the skin's bacterial population, they don't totally eliminate odour; they simply diminish it, so you will probably still need to use a deodorant or antiperspirant. For most people, regular showers or baths with plain soap and water plus use of a deodorant or antiperspirant are sufficient.

Furthermore, deodorant soaps must be used regularly to achieve the best results. The antiseptic builds up on the skin with each use. After about a week of use, optimal effectiveness is achieved. One wash with another soap will remove this antiseptic layer. So if you plan to use a deodorant soap, make sure you use it all the time.

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