Shakespeare Drama Competiton 2015 boys

It was the boys’ turn on Day 2 of the annual Inter-School Shakespeare Competition. Out of 19 entries, Feroze Kamamrdeen on behalf of the judge shared that “at least 10” stood a good chance of making it through to the finals. “This year” he shared was particularly challenging in pruning-out just four finalists. Also on the adjudicating panel this year was Sabrina Niles of the English Department-University of  Kelaniya. “It would help” she felt, in many ways if conceptualization of each scene was not only undertaken by the director, but the cast as well. Isolating the provided excerpt provided didn’t work to the participant’s merit. “You can’t bring a straw hat when the script calls for a cap” the third judge Dr. Asoka de Zoysa of panel said, further elaborating their concerns. Details which could have improved a play’s impact for the accomplished panel included lighting, pacing of the plays and a few lessons which experience should teach like “waiting for laugh” for schools who chose comedy. Apart from technical advice the judges imparted to the budding actors, productions which secured a spot in the finals managed to stage a convincing, almost air-tight spin on The Bard’s work. St. Joseph’s College presented a version of King Lear worthy of a place in the final round. Joshua Perera won jointly the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in this play of Regan. Clever use of bold coloured flags at the opening of their play to indicate a split royal house put the scene in context. Interesting costume choices which paradoxically saw The Fool in black and white didn’t escape notice in this version which was kept to time. St. Peter’s College’s Titus Andronicus which we will see at the finals however was a few light years ahead. Opening their play by the unmistakable glow of lightsabers, the tale of Rome’s celebrated war-hero was told in a futuristic star-wars tinged universe. For a concept so far-fetched, this was one that worked, convincingly carried through by strong acting, even among the ensemble cast. In transporting Shakespeare out of this planet some concepts were taken literally. Tamora and her sons appeared in full space-age Goth attire, managing to sell their roles through the sheets of pale make- up. Also in the finals this year is Loyola College Negombo for its strong rendition of Anthony and Cleopatra. An elaborate set, blocking-out most of the stage, tactfully kept all the action closer to the audience. Intense characterisation made for an authentic viewing experience, earning the role of Cleopatra a nomination for Best Actor. Last to perform on yesterday’s stage yet not the least by a long shot was the team from D. S. Senanayake College. Opting to go with the King Lear exert, the boys managed two individual awards as well. Strong characterisation and mindfully portraying the role of the defeated king, Haseeb Hassan’s rendition of Lear won him the title of Best Actor. For his role as The Fool, Aravinda De Almeida won jointly the award of Best Supporting Actor. Joining the array of schools intrigued with all things thespian, St. Thomas’ Prep School was named the winning Novice Entry of the year for their version of Taming of the Shrew. Thoughtful use of an incense pot and the lavish simplicity of their set earned St. Thomas’ Mount Lavinia the award for Best Stage craft. Staging a carefully measured version of Anthony and Cleopatra, the boys relied on just a decked-out day bed and pillars to tell their story. Other interesting entries included one by Kingswood College Kandy. Bollywood and Shakespeare have little in common, making their rendition of Measure for Measure was an acquired mix. Monologues and Soliloquies were interrupted in classic Bollywood style, by songs. Slightly disjointed for those who like their Shakespeare ‘neat,’ the performance was however a crowd-pleaser and made for memorable viewing experience. Wesley College’s King Lear started-off with a haunting silhouette of the king torn between voices. Flash-light lit faces reciting promises and flattery which lead to his destruction. This cacophony was accompanied by a haunting rendition of The Fool’s song making for a telling introduction. Ananda College put forward an interesting version of King Henry IV. Almost a rehearsal, the play was set among two ladders, and a few cardboard boxes resembling unfinished props. A ‘director’ walked onstage, broke-up an ongoing party and started the boys off on their play. Perched on a stool, the ‘director’ occasionally signalled the lights and sound cues which was an interesting detail. Maris Stella College, Negombo staged a well-choreographed rendition of Taming of the Shrew. It’s easy to miss a beat in the slapstick heavy production, however the incompetent house-staff extracted a few laughs from the audience for their well-timed tricks. Other participants were, Royal College Colombo, Gateway College Rajagiriya, St. Benedict’s College Colombo, Gateway College Negombo, Trinity College Kandy, Richmond College Kandy and St. Anthony’s College Kandy.