‘Aluth Horek’goes to hills
Dr. Sumith again and asks him to perform an abortion on Sankethi. Dr. Sumith rejects this citing that it is too late to perform an abortion. Dr. Sumith advises Rohan to hide himself 0.until the dust is settled. Drama ends with Janaki and Sankethi randomly running into each other at a park, which Rohan has frequented with both separately on previous occasions. Not knowing each other’s true identities, two women engage in small talk. Janaki informs Sankethi about her missing husband and how she is still waiting for his return. Sankethi in return, informs Janaki about she being pregnant with her now-missing boyfriend’s child and expresses her decision to move on with her life until she meets someone who accepts her as she is; a single mother with a child out of wedlock.
“Cinema was challenged when the television was introduced. It was further challenged with the introduction of the internet. But theatre was never challenged by any of these new media. Theatre is a live medium and it is powerful,” said the director when asked about the reason for his return to theatre after two decades.
“This stage play was a refreshing and exciting experience for me,” says Nita Fernando, one of the most experienced actresses in Sri Lankan cinema. “I played Sandakinduri (mermaid) in Gunasena Galappatti’s ‘Sandakinduru’ play and ‘Thaththa’ (Father) by the same director. Both these were performed in early 1970s,” adds Nita. “But with too many films coming my way, I had to give up the stage,’ she said adding that it was a challenge for her to get back to the theatre.
Additionally Nita has been assigned to contribute with some vocal renditions in the play. “I started to learn music and voice training under the late maestro Premasiri Khemadasa but I could not complete it as I was busy with cinema,” Nita said reminiscing her past experiences to master her musical talents. “But my singing in the play has to be decided by the audience on September 26 and 27,” she chuckles. The play has already got some bookings and it is to be performed around the country.
Comedy play ‘Aluth Horek Onee’ directed by Ajith Mendis will be staged at 3.30 p.m. and
6.30 p.m. today, September 24, at St Anthony’s College auditorium, Katugastota.
Roshan Pilapitya, Saman Hemarathna, Mahinda Pathirage, Senaka
Titus and Mihiri Priyangani play the main roles while music composition is by Anthony
Surendra. Set designing by Luvoline Wanderwall, costume designing is by Nipuni Preksha Mendis and stage management is by Sumeda Prasanna.