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Joes' 'Julius Caesar' - a remarkable dramatic feat

by Lynn Ockersz

It was another proud moment for the young dramatists of St. Joseph's College, Colombo. When they easily triumphed at the finals (boys' section) of the Inter School Shakespeare Drama Contest held in mid-June at the BMICH, they came very close to giving an object lesson on how a play by Shakespeare should be dramatized on the local stage.

To begin with, an interesting conflictual situation with immense dramatic possibilities, from the Evergreen 'Julius Caesar' was chosen for performance by the Joes. Very often this important requirement is either overlooked or ignored by those producing for the schools' stage.

The assassination scene from Joes’ ‘Julius Caesar.’

Besides, even if conflictual situations are chosen by these dramatists, it is those producing sensational action and lurid melodrama which are often chosen for performance.

They are also spiced with needless razzle-dazzle effects. This doesn't do Shakespeare any justice. Richer, emotionally-rewarding drama awaits audiences when Directors of the stage focus on conflicts within characters and those among characters - in short, conflict in a deeper, spiritual sense.

This element the Josephian production had in abundance. To be sure, there was some melodrama in the conventional sense in the Josephian interpretation of the chosen episodes from 'Julius Caesar' (With for instance, "Three-Wheelers" even being made to run over Roman soldiers), but this sensational dimension was not made to predominate in the performance.

On the contrary, the central focus in the production was on the finely-nuanced, conflictual relationship between Brutus (played by Rajiv Ponweera) and Cassius (played by Leon Arendtsz).

Portraying this multi-layered, at times love-hate relationship between the characters, is an exacting challenge but the two actors in question handled it in a masterly fashion, quickening to life these Shakespearean characters in their complex humanity.

At the end of the performance, the more perceptive in the audience are left with the sense that friendship and love have triumphed although the central characters meet with destruction in their pursuit of ideals and power.

Josephian Director Jehan Aloysius deserves special commendation for interpreting the text of the play insightfully. Dramatizing a relationship between two men who are popularly considered archetypal conspirators, in its numerous stresses and strains as well as its more edifying moments is a notable dramatic feat and all credit to him for having instructed his players in these finer dimensions and for having enabled them to bring it all out on stage so expertly.

There was also, never a dull moment on stage. The Josephians clicked perfectly as a team and played their roles robustly and enthusiastically in this performance marked by a remarkable fluidity of action. Our many thanks to the YMCA Colombo and the Rotary Club, Colombo North, the organisers of the competition, for their continued commitment to the promotion of Shakespearean theatre among schools.

Daybridge International in concert

In Harmony - the annual concert of Daybridge International was held at the Bishop's College Auditorium on Saturday July 26, 2003. Daybridge gives their students every opportunity to display their potential and creativity which in turn leads to happy confident individuals. The large hall was packed with the good response of the audience.

The chief guest was Mrs. Noeline Gunasekera who is a pioneer in primary education. The three branches of Daybridge - Bambalapitiya, Dehiwala and Union Place - participated. All the items were very well prepared and all the little ones whose ages ranged from 2-1/2 years performed with confidence.

The show opened with the welcome speech by Bashida Fowzer. Next came the Pooja Dance by Hasini Sathsara to the strains of 'Dhanno Budunge'. She danced very gracefully keeping perfect rhythm. From a current hit the popular 'Ketchup' Song was done by a dance group of girls and boys, very smartly dressed. Two famous fairy tales were acted to perfection. The first was Cinderella with sweet little Rukshalee Ratnayake as Cinderella. The Prince was Praveen Lamahewa. The Fairy God Mother who cast her magic spell was Shamara Nagahawatte. The dances at the ball were in strict tempo - especially the Irish Jig. They kept up a uniform rhythm.

The next item 'Let's Dance' was done by a dance group. The old time popular 'Home in the Bucket' was humorously done by Ruqaiyah as Liza and Liam as Henry. The next fairy tale that was acted by Jack and the Beanstalk, which showed talents amongst the young ones. Juniors of Bambalapitiya showed off their colours with a lovely 'Aunty Monica' shaking her hips and dancing away, followed by Puff - a train and lastly came on Fairies tripping the "light fantastic toe."

The younger set from Dehiwala did Traffic Light. Ducks and Flowers very colourful I must say. After a short interval of 15 minutes came on the Ballet. Next was again songs from a popular movie of some years back now revived Sound of Music. Baila time was by the primary students - Yes, they were enjoying the baila session.

And last but not least songs from another movie Singing Nun was superb. The little one dressed as a Nun came riding a bicycle - Wow! She was good. The three songs Dominique, Brother John, and Far Beyond the stars showed that they had been perfectly trained by the efficient staff - they sang to lustily.

The show came to an end with the Vote of Thanks by Ruqaiyah Sidik. Those responsible for the training deserve a handshake. I wish the directress Mrs. Iromi Weerasinghe all good luck for another show next year.

- Yvonne F. Keerthisingha

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