Improvised plays by Sashi’s students
By Sanchith Karunaratne
From adaptations of kids’ favourites, to thought provoking creations, the Sashi Mendis Studio of Drama and Speech highlights originality and creativity in their production Plays Parade.
A collection of 8 plays written and directed by Sashi, based on improvisations by her students, the plays will be performed by the students of the studio aged between 5 to 20 on September 29 and 30 at the Punchi Theatre.
Sashi has taught Drama to students from a very young age. The school now in its 15th year focuses on fostering creativity, dramatic skills and performing. She makes sure to build self-confidence and love for theatre through her curriculum which she has formulated utilizing LAMDA and Trinity College London guidelines. At the academy students are encouraged to think about personal and social contemporary issues and trained for either the Trinity College or LAMDA examinations.
Plays Parade will feature plays like Plane Rash performed by the 14 -16-year-olds. This play deals with life and death while Puff the Magic Dragon based on the beloved children’s song centres on a child’s imagination and how they are inundated with technology and homework. The Unhappy Politician will be a bilin- gual play performed by enthusiastic 10-12 yearolds. An adaptation play in the form of the Girlfish, Operation Super Phone S which is based in 3016 where the main character Hypnotica seeks world domination through mobile phones, End of the world, The man in the park and Dream world are some of the others being staged.
Tickets priced at Rs.800 and Rs.500 will be available at the event or may be purchased by contacting Sashi.