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| Sunday, 4 December 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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'Nicko and Bikko': Not only for children 'Nicko and Bikko' is a bold attempt by young Buddhi Karunaratne to stage a striking children's drama for Sri Lankan children. His theme is just decency couched in morality, values, knowledge and fun. It's safe to say it requires a certain amount of wisdom, courage and confidence to will himself on a children's theme into the theatre pantheon.
His unusual theme with the laudable goal of children, not only profoundly dilates kids, but everyone - teens, adults or just plain music fans. Ideally, it is a great concept meeting the psychological need of anthropomorphism of children.In Sri Lanka, the theatre has been dominated by increasing narrow themes, meant exclusively for adults. He has devised a remarkable play couched in elaborate stylish whimsical language. The play has gone platinum among many, and its success proves two things. The average child has an appetite for vastly different styles of music. Secondly, there is a cultural, moral approach, which keeps the audience spellbound by the melodious songs. He has succeeded in making speech rhythm, an aesthetically enjoyable experience, all round. Buddhi is an aspiring director. He has a sly sense of humans and a knack for writing quirky dialog.'Nicko and Bikko' glissades across the stage with energy with their intermittent barking. The melodies rock hands and shows promise as ideal children's fantasies. Police constables in billowy pants, wig and wrap around shades they look nothing so much as a genetic engineering accident. The costumes are superb and fantastic. But what's missing. The Elphinstone Hall was to some extent not full. Unlike movies, concert - tickets sales take a while to trickle in. Actors of 'Nicko and Bikko' are young and show great histrionic talent. The play had such rousing response from test audiences. It is bound to capture the hearts of the audience. |
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