|
Drama Review:
Suranganak Evith
Buddhika weaves witty web of diverse cultures:
Jayanthi LIYANAGE
“The way I see things, life is both sad and funny. I can’t imagine a
comical situation that is not at the same time also painful. I used to
ask myself: what is a humorous situation? Now I ask: what is a sad
situation and how can I tell it humorously?” So goes a quote by American
playwright and screen playwright Neil Simon.
 |
|
Sujeewa, Mahendra and Madani in a
scene from the play |
Somewhat similar sentiments were expressed by Buddhika Damayantha who
directed the translated version of Simon’s ‘The Star Spangled Girl’ and
staged it as Suranganak Evith at the Lumbini Theatre on July 9 and 10.
Awkward pauses
“This is serious comedy with characteristics of absurdity,” he said.
“We try to bring out the humour where there is no humour. We had doubts
whether our audiences would be able to understand the humour in
situations in which outwardly there is no humour.”
The play with only three characters tells the story of two men, Andy
and Norman, trying to run a publication of the alternative press. Their
woes become more complicated with the entrance of Sophia Rosemary, a new
neighbour.
Norman, the writer, becomes infatuated with Sophia and stalks her
relentlessly to the point that she loses her job. Andy, manager of the
publication, turns manipulator and opts to hire Sophia, in order to keep
Norman’s concentration on his writing. Sophia vehemently spurns Norman’s
advances but finds herself falling for Andy.
It is the prerogative of the spectator to deduce his own
interpretation of what he sees and I too have tried to do the same.
The plot on stage was well developed. There were no lulls or awkward
pauses. The drama ran on an even pace with no time for boredom. The
three characters were equally developed with no character being the main
protagonist and others just attendant to it.
The sound was just a shade too loud at the beginning of the play but
the liveliness of the characters on stage camouflaged such deficiencies
in modulation. The story line itself had powerful content to arrest the
attention of the audience and Buddhika could well have done away with
innuendoes to local situations such as Rawaya, Kasaya, Ayubowewa Maha
Rajaneni, etc.
Some people would say that the story is about the fate of two men
entangled with a woman. But I see it as the fate of a woman caught
between a sexual harasser and a manipulator.
Andy, played by Mahendra Weeraratne, gives a convincing portrayal of
a man juggling his land lady and the expenses of the publication. He
commands the situation though in an unobtrusive manner. His role is more
of the introvert where as Norman, played by Sujeewa Priyalal, is that of
the extrovert.
He is easily swayed and his exuberant stomping around the stage held
the audience riveted to what he would do next. As Sophia, Madani
Malwattage gives a contained performance, defensive of her obvious
outward sex appeal. Her responses to interactions with the two men are
disciplined and controlled.
Male chauvinism
All three are victims of circumstances but the plight of Sophia is
the worst. Norman, though not intentionally, makes her lose her job,
tramples on her pet kitten, mops her floor which she had waxed
throughout the previous night.
The only way she can protest is by a high-pitched shriek. She is not
even allowed to call the Police and Andy diverts her attention with an
attractive pay. She is intelligent enough to understand what the two men
are doing politically, but Andy refuses to acknowledge her intellect and
delegates her to the kitchen. She has to keep at arm’s length both male
chauvinism and sexual attraction.
When the situation becomes intolerable to Norman and Sophia, both try
to escape the web but, they are slaves to the status quo, and have no
choice but to come back, with Andy calling the tune by higher pay and
the subtle use of physical attraction which is at play among the three
players.
Buddhika has done an interesting play and I hope he will continue to
direct more translations, and give us an opportunity to see drama of
different cultures.
|
