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| Saturday, 7 February 2004 |
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Compiled by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi Namel Weeramuni's dream comes true : Big plans for Little Theatre If you walk past the Borella junction towards Rajagiriya along the Cotta road, you will find an unusual type of building with towers resembling those in fairy tales.
This is going to be a centre for reviving the local stage drama, stressed several artistes and veteran dramatists who participated at a small gathering held last Tuesday to mark the forthcoming opening of this peculiar building complex named as Namel - Malini Punchi (Little) Theatre. Veteran dramatist Namel Weeramuni who conceived the idea of setting up this small theatre complex called it a different name. "This is like a white-ant-hill. We artistes are like white-ants and should work together for the betterment of theatre art as white-ants do." This theatre complex consists of a theatre with around 200 seats and two rehearsal rooms which can be converted into an exhibition hall and seminar venues. The project was initiated by the Namel and Malini Arts Circle. Namel and his wife Malini were very happy and proud as they have been able to realise their four decades-old dream of having a fully fledged theatre with modern facilities. The theatre has been built on a private land owned by Namel and his wife at Cotta Road. The total concept and the design is by well-known architect Muditha Jayakody. "This is in the heart of Borella where public transport is easily accessible for the public, having bus routes spreading to all areas of Colombo and suburbs," Namal says. The whole project had cost them around Rs 25 million. Namel had to spend every cent earned by them over the years for this project, apart from selling whatever they were left by their parents.
It's a novel concept, Namel explains. "It is open and easily accessible for the many up and coming and experienced theatre artists to give expression to their talents without thinking of financial and other constrains." "This will help to create a low cost play production scheme and promote a regular theatre audience through a membership drive. It will also foster and promote creative works by way of play writing, productions and performances throughout the year on a professional basis," Namel noted. Namel advocates that like cricketers and other sports groups, the theatre artists too are an important and talented assemblage in the country. But it is regrettable, he says, to note that there is hardly any enthusiasm shown or support given by the public and Governmental or non-governmental organisation to uplift the theatre arts to a similar reputable status. Namel strongly feels that there artistes too should receive a similar patronage from the public and such organisations like the sports groups receive. Namal says the Little Theatre is a globally accepted concept. This type of theatre will help to promote an appreciative and intelligent audience and keep the theatre alive. "Many of the world's best celebrated dramas were first played on small stages before they reached Broadway or West End," Namel says. Namel's opinion was augmented one of his long-standing friend and internationally recognised personality Nandi Jasenthuliyana. "Many popular dramas had been first played on off-broadway and broadway before they achieved celebrity status. Little theatres can produce good plays and good actors. It is time to resuscitate the Sinhala theatre and I expect this Punchi Theatre would play a pivotal role in this regard." he added. Praising Namel's commitment, veteran dramatist Lucien Bulathsinhala said everyone should adore the fact that Namel spent his own money to build a theatre at a time when little attention is focused on drama. "We have to rebuild a drama culture which prevailed in the country in 1950s to 70s. Today, this country has no culture as far as drama is concerned. We must make efforts to change this and establish a culture that respects humanity and people." ############ Sanath Gunatilake Film Festival "Viragayen Pasu" (After Viragaya), a festival comprising films starring Sanath Gunathilake will be held at the Peradeniya University from February 09 to 13. The festival will include Sisila Gini Gani (directed by Prasanna Vithanage), Rajya Sevaya Pinisai (Udayakantha Warnasooriya), Palama Yata (H.D. Premaratne), Sudu Kaluwara (Sudath Rohana) and Viragaya (Tissa Abeysekera). Films will be screened at 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm. The director of each film is scheduled to make a brief review on his film before the screening. The festival will commence on February 9 with the screening of "Sisila Gini Gani" and the opening ceremony will be held under the patronage of Prof. Kapila Gunasekera, Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University. Several distinguished invitees will attend the opening ceremony. The festival is organised by the Welfare Society of the University's Science Faculty. ########## American Pie ends with Wedding This time the pie has been changed to cake, but the film is still as sweet a concoction... American Pie - The Wedding, the thrilling climax of the American Pie saga is now in town. The film commenced screening at Majestic, Milano (Kegalle) and Regal (Kandy) from yesterday. The raucous and lovable characters from the wildly successful American Pie and American Pie 2 have gone and done it.... well, they are planning on doing it.
However, when his services are needed, Jim reluctantly invites him in on the wedding, which opens the doors for Stiffler to compete heavily for the best man's position, win the heart of Michelle's sister Cadence (January Jones, `Anger Management'), and try to keep himself out of trouble long enough for the wedding to go off without a hitch. `American Wedding' is a sweet way to end this winner of sweepstakes of unlikely trilogies. Franchise screenwriter Adam Herz has come back to place the capper on his unexpected 1999 hit `American Pie,' and if you liked that mix of lowball gross-out humour and adolescent pathos, then `Wedding' will fit in perfectly. In the summer of 1999, relative unknown Jason Biggs became one of Hollywood's most talked about actors for his role as " Jim " in universal's blockbuster comedy " American Pie ". Since the film's release, Biggs has become one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood. |
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Produced by Lake House |
Some of their friends had called them mad and fools, a comment which
they have accepted with a broad smile. They were determined to achieve and
keep to a word that both of them made long ago. Both are lovers of theatre
being they involved in it over for forty years.
The time has come for college sweethearts Jim (Jason Biggs) and
Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) to get engaged, prompting elation from Jim's
Dad (Eugene Levy, as perfect in the role as an actor can get), and his
friends Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) and Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas, in
basically a cameo). As the wedding plans get underway, the last person
they want on the invite list is notorious troublemaker, Steven Stiffler (Seann
William Scott).
