Colombo International Theatre festival
Sri Lanka’s only international theatre festival, Colombo
International Theatre Festival, aims at going beyond language barriers
in its second year. The festival will begin on March 27, to coincide
with World Theatre Day.
“We have an issue taking a Sinhala play to north and vice versa. So
initially we are employing two techniques: either non verbal or minimal
dialogues.” Festival Director M Safeer commented. The festival has
received 39 applications from seven countries which will be screening
nine stage plays.
The festival’s objective is to enhance the centralized knowledge of
the Sri Lankan youth to a more open status thereby transforming the Sri
Lankan theatre for betterment.
The festival has three major functions: performing stage plays,
workshops and felicitating the veterans. The workshops are held by
globally reputed scholars who will participate in performances and
discussions.
The participating countries are India, Austria, Azerbaijan, Saudi
Arabia, Egypt, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The ambassadors and high
commissioners of the participating countries will be the chief guest on
the respective day.
A veteran in the drama field will also be felicitated on each day.
They will be M D Ranjith Silva, D K Artigala, Priyankara Rathnayaka,
Saman Gamini, Rev Joshua, Amith Rabbadagala, Ruwanthi de Chikera, Tracy
Helsinger, Mangala Senanayaka. Performances of four plays selected for
‘Kavitha’ programme will also be included in this year’s festival from
Eastern University, Kelaniya University, Peradeniya University and
Horana Sripalee Mandapaya.
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