Buddhika’s debut comedy play:
Suranganak Avith set for local stage
Ruwini Jayawardana
Sujeewa, Madhanee and Mahendra in Suranganak Avith
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Reputed dramatist Buddhika Damayantha is currently putting the
finishing touches to his latest stage drama which will be staged at
Lumbini Theatre on July 9 and 10. Named Suranganak Avith the plot is
based on American playwright Neil Simon’s 1966 comedy ‘The Star-Spangled
Girl’. The story revolves around three major characters: Andy, Norman
and Sophie.
Andy and Norman are two young journalists residing in a two storey
building, full of plans for their magazine. Enter Sophie, a lovely girl
in a neighbouring apartment and Norman falls for her immediately. Drama
emerge when Andy who hires her to curb Norman’s obsession finds out that
Sophie had an interest towards him, not his friend! How will the trio
handle the situation? Will they merely come to terms with the turn of
events or will more than the foundations of friendship be shattered?
Bringing the hilarious comedy to life had certainly been a challenge
for Buddhika. Though Suranganak Avith marks his 14th stage production,
it will be his first attempt at a comedy play. Having started off in
1994 with the translation of Samuel Beckett’s ‘Endgame’ as Padadaya, he
emerged with a play for a continuous number of years.
Some of his creations are the translations of works by renowned
playwrights like Tennessee Williams, Harold Pinter, Athol Fugard, Vijay
Tendulkar and Henrik Ibsen. Interestingly each year one of Buddhika’s
plays had been nominated for the final round at the State Drama
Festivals, the last which was titled Uthuru Konata Patu Varan which had
been based on Athol Fugard’s ‘Boesman and Lena’.
It represented the final round of the State Drama Festival last year.
His drama, the Sinhala translation of Murray Schisgal’s ‘The Typist’ as
‘Davasa Thaama Gevunay Ne’ clinched the title of best drama in 1998.
Apart from clinching the best director award the play also produced the
Best Actor (Saumya Liyanage) and the Best Actress (Jayani Senanayake).
Semini Iddamalgoda and Sumith Kumara Rathnayake in the 2005
production Punchi Aadara Balakerimake |
He also staged a drama named Putha Enakan which was scripted by Aruna
Premaratne in 2006. This was also chosen for the final round at the
State Drama Festival and is the only original play he had staged so far.
Speaking on how he selects the scripts for his productions, Buddhika
stated that he chose the plots for their aesthetic appeal.
“Most of the plays I have staged so far are translations of great
plays. These works are universal and timeless and many are able to enjoy
them despite the fact that they have been originally scripted by
dramatists abroad. If a good script which catches my interest is
presented to me I would not hesitate in staging the production,” he
noted.
An old boy of Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, Buddhika had
developed his talent for the stage from his school days. He was a keen
participant of the stage plays organized by the school literary society
and the Boy Scouts group. Later he took up the subject at a wider angle
by following the National Youth Services Council drama course.
He said: “It is challenging to stage a drama today as it had become a
non profiting factor. Hardly anyone shows interest towards uplifting the
local stage drama scene. I engaged in the subject merely because I
harness a deep passion for theatre. Similarly it is only a few
individuals like myself who still keep the field alive.”
Buddhika and team hopes to take their stage drama to many parts of
the island after its premier in Colombo. He said that, fortunately, the
audience in remote areas are very intrigued when a local production
visits their region.
The cast of Suranganak Avith comprises Sujeewa Priyalal, Mahendra
Wijeratne and Madhanee Malwattha. Sunil Chandrasiri translated the
original script. Premajayantha Kapuge is the make up artist while Kapila
Kithsiri is in charge of the lighting. The stage setting is by Upul C.
Dayawansha. Nadeeka Guruge is the music director, Sujeewa Priyalal is in
charge of the publicity, Asela Ruwan and Dinusha Jayakody are the Stage
Managers. Suranganak Avith is produced by Poojitha Uduwana.
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