Maris Stella turns Shakespeare champions
Jayanthi LIYANAGE
Maris Stella College, Negombo, emerged All Island Champions (males)
at the recently concluded Shakespeare Drama Competition for schools,
presenting 'A Mid-Summer Night's Dream', with a cast of 12 students from
grades 6-12.
It also won the Best Outstation School award while Daminda Wijeratne
who acted as Pyramus and Bottom bagged the Best All Island Actor and
Best Outstation Actor awards. Kenneth Peiris who did the roles of Thisby
and Flute won the Best Outstation Supporting Actor award.
Directed by Delon Weerasinghe, the play had only a simple box as
stage props and Weerasinghe had told the cast to focus on acting, said
Nirmala Wijedasa, teacher in charge of the school's Drama Troupe formed
in 1999. Rehearsals were carried everyday with a very dedicated cast
since July.
Five boys shaved their heads to fit into their roles. Only the
clothes and make-up were elaborate, she said, adding that Principal Rev.
Bro. Mervyn Perera had given them tremendous support for the play which
earned the commendation excellent and outstanding performance at the
semi-finals. The troupe was the All-Island Champions in 2007 too,
presenting Merry Wives of Windsor directed by Weerasinghe. The year it
was formed, it won the Best Outstation School and Best Actor awards.
Asiri Jayawardena won the Best Outstation Actor in 2002. Udara
Ahangama won the same award in 2004 and 2006. |
