Focus:

The dark side of human nature

by Sajitha Prematunge

The author of the novel, Fragments of a fugue and plays Virgo intacta, Midnight train, Salim's choice, Mad people and last year's Gretian winning 3 star K, Seneka Abeyratne was the first person I've met who had so many interests and time at hand to entertain them.

He was short listed for the Gretian four times. He started writing plays way back in the 1990s and has written twelve plays to date. His plays have been staged in Chennai and Sri Lanka and have been directed by the greats John Adams and Trecy Holsinger.

Q: What are your interests other than writing?
 

A: I have many interests. I love gardening, I have an agricultural degree. I like photography. One of my photography books, a village level case study of Wewala, which focuses on flavour and ambience of the village will be launched next month.

I also love dancing, specially ballroom, salsa and ballet. I like cycling. I do it every morning. I also used to play rugger. I read, love listening to classical music and from time to time do reviews of plays, musicals, ballets, classical concerts and art exhibitions.

Q: What's the nature of your work?

A: I like to write unconventional plays and explore the dark side of human nature. I like to focus on the hidden fears, desires and impulses of the so-called ordinary people.

Most of them are very disturbing and tend to shock the audience. In my plays I try to expose the double standards of society. The themes include politics, religion and interpersonal conflicts.

They are universal because they deal with universal subjects and the settings range from Sri Lanka to the Middle East and South America. I emphasise more on characters than on costumes and the set. Because my plays are minimalist, they can be staged anywhere, anytime.

As a local playwrite I have been working hard to promote the alternate theatre in Sri Lanka - an unconventional, minimalist approach, involving a small cast in a small theatre with non-linear scripts.

Q: Why have you chosen to write plays instead of other literary forms?

A: The nice thing about drama is that you write something and you can see it unravel in front of your eyes when it's staged. Drama has a far stronger visual impact than other literary forms because it comes alive on stage.

Q: You have written only one novel - Fragments of a fugue. Why?

A: I prefer to write plays. Even this novel has huge chunks of dialogue. Dialogue is a very powerful tool in communicating thoughts and emotions. It's because I prefer dialogue to narrative, I'm now more focused on writing plays.

Q: It was published in London, how was it received there?

A: It had such a limited circulation there that it didn't get any foreign reviews. Unfortunately it was never available in Sri Lanka. But it was short listed for a Gretian.

Q: Plays like Midnight train and Salim's choice are set in foreign countries. Have you written any plays set in Sri Lanka?

A: Virgo intacta is loosely set in Sri Lanka. 3 star K has a more specific Sri Lankan setting.

Q: Theatre is a collaboration between the writer and the audience. Have you found the right audience?

A: Yes I would say so. I write for a small audience, who are looking for something different in terms of drama. Most citizens of Colombo prefer comedies and musicals, but there are a small number who appreciate the alternative theatre, and, that's my target group.

Q: Why do you tend to write more unorthodox plays or have you written any conventional dramas as well?

A: I see creative writing as a challenge. I deal largely with abnormal behaviour and disturbing social and psychological themes. I prefer to use the unconventional approach because I am forced to experiment with ideas, themes and structures.

The most off beat drama I've ever written was probably Mad people which was wild, shocking and utterly outrageous. Although I have written conventional dramas as well, the majority is unconventional.

Q: Did you benefit from earlier Sri Lankan dramatists like McIntyre?

A: Because I deal largely with experimental drama, I can't say that I've benefitted from them, although I do hold people like him in high regard.

Q: What other influences have effected your plays?

A: I'm very interested in psychoanalysis and have researched extensively on the subject. I am fascinated by abnormal behaviour and the pathological aspect of interpersonal relationships. I'm also deeply interested in disturbing political and social themes.

Q: Why do you explore the darker side of life and human experience?

A: That's because the society generally doesn't want to think about it because it's highly disturbing. But there are many writers, poets and artists who are fascinated by the darker side. As a play write I too like to navigate the dark waters of the subconscious and explore the nooks and crannies of the mind.

Q: What motivated your concerns with sexuality?

A: Sexuality is an important aspect of our lives, which we are often reluctant to talk about. Because in many societies it's a taboo subject. Freud wrote extensively about human sexuality. He believed that sex is the kernel of neurosis. Psychosexual drama is my speciality, which is why there is considerable emphasis on sex.

Q: What does the name 3 star K stand for?

A: It's a label I invented for an expensive brand of Kasippu, which is considered to be an aphrodisiac and is supposed to give a big kick.

Q: Was the Gretian expected?

A: I was extremely surprised because of the language I had used in the drama and its theme. Because I was trying to present a different side of Colombo 7 the language I used was disturbing and the violence was shocking.

The main concerns in the play is domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, gun running and murder. These things do go on in Colombo 7 and that's what I intended to bring out in the play. It's not everybody's cup of tea and that's why I was surprised it won. I'm delighted that the judges saw some important literary value in it and deemed it worthy of a Gretian.

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