Arts

The Last Two Minutes

Agony of a nation and cry for peace:

by Ranga Chandrarathne

The 'Last Two Minutes' by Sunera Foundation which was held at Bishop College auditorium, perhaps, be considered as one of the best productions driving home the stark truth that the ultimate winner of the war is none other than death.

The death, here, is depicted by a funeral and the doomsday dancing towards the end of the drama by Rohana Deva. One of the significant aspects of the drama is that it has manifestly explored the recurrent theme of war, conflict and the hapless citizens who have become unwilling partners to the conflict, being sandwiched between the military and the terrorists. The drama commences with a scene of a funeral where Satan visits.

Then the scene shifts to a childhood and a wedding between a Sinhalese soldier and Tamil girl which is a symbolic representation of reconciliation between two races Sinhalese and Tamils; in reality there is no animosity between the Tamils and the Sinhalese.

As the drama reaches its climax, the soldier has to go back to the battle field and was killed in action.

Though it is a series of inter-connected events, the drama drives home the truth that death is pervasive and pursuits from birth to the end of the life. It comes in diverse forms; as a snake, dancing skeletons or as Satan. It is a story of a nation in agony and a fervent cry for peace by its peace-loving citizens.

The decades of war has denied the citizens of a decent life rendering them destitute. It is doubtful whether the nation is willing to learn the moral message conveyed by the drama, at least in the 'Last Two Minutes'. In the every nook and corner, the ugly head of death raises from time to time, as if to declare that he is the winner of all the wars.

What reigns as the smoke clears the battlefield is a trail of destruction, a destruction of a civilisation, of a culture and above all the universal human bondage.

The young cast of the "Last Two Minutes" should be commended for their brilliant performance. Especially the actor and the actress who played the roles of a soldier and his Tamil wife shed light to the performance. Rohana Deva and his troupe of Skeletons, though brilliantly costume-designed, had, somewhat failed to exploit the situation to create an atmosphere of doom and fear.

The final act of dooms day dancing by Rohana Deva, hanging on a rope was rather hilarious than declaration and triumph of death by Satan against life.

It could have been more serious and fearful if the Satan hooted and whistled which accompanied the almost sudden apparition of the Satan.

"The Last Two Minutes", the latest drama by the Sunera Foundation was held at Bishop's College Auditorium. "The Last Two Minutes" has been directed by Kalasuri Rohana Deva Perera and choreographed by Ramani Damayanthi. Music is by Janaka Fonseka. "The Last Two Minutes" thrilled audiences at the Biennale of Theatre and Psychiatry in Northern Italy last year, where it won a Special Jury Award.

The present cast includes some members of Sunera's performing arts workshops for those who have been traumatized by the Tsunami.

In its Tsunami Theatre Outreach project (T-TOP) which functions in six Districts, Sunera utilizes the performing arts to provide a therapeutic benefit to hundreds of children who were traumatized by the 2004 Tsunami.

The project is funded by Deutsche Bank, Global Fund for Children, East-West Centre Hawaii, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, The Force of Nature Foundation and Siege Social Jules.

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Jooli Hathai

It is perhaps not always that the right ingredients come together to provide a resplendent evening, but the 'Dinner Theatre' of the Thomian Society of Colombo is certainly designed to bring out the essence in relaxation with entertainment.

Quite aptly, the event has been identified as the 'Loveliest night of the year'. The ultimate in cuisine will make up a delectable sit down dinner preceded by an absolutely hilarious comedy that is intended to let you fall off your chair with rib-tickling laughter.

Renowned Playwright and Actor, Indu Dharmasena, will bring on stage Jooli Hathai with topicality, originality and rich overtones that will be a sheer delight. The date being next Saturday, 7th July (07-07-07) Jooli Hathai becomes current !

Those who arrive at Ceylon Continental Hotel at 7.30 pm for the 'Dinner Theatre' will be able to place their hands on a splendid opportunity to win air tickets to Bangkok, Bangalore and Chennai with more than ten other valuable prizes on offer, including a colour TV and an electric floor polisher. There will be no corkage on liquor.

Following a sumptuous dinner, live music will fill the air for those who wish to dance.