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It was excitement, trauma,
action, emotion, family feuds and lost love that exuded from Namel
Weeramuni's adaptation of Jean Anouilh's 'Colombe' into 'Nattukkari'.
Moving performances by Malini Weeramuni and a charismatic cast of about
11 graced the stage transcending from a multitude of feelings but still
thought-provoking. The chemistry between the cast and the lovely
costumes brought to life the story that was indeed heart-warming and
melting.
The story revolves around Julian, a wannabe musician who elopes with
Colombe, a budding actress. They marry quickly though they are poor and
Julian finds it difficult to make ends meet as they eventually have a
son.
 The turning point is when Julian is suddenly summoned to go to war
and despite having a grudge against his mother for her lack of love,
influenced by Colombe, he goes to seek help from her to take care of
Colombe and their son while he is away. However, he knows that his
younger brother Paul (portrayed as a spoilt brat living with his mother)
has already taken a fancy to Colombe and this makes him upset and
suspect. Nevertheless, he tells Colombe to make a promise that she will
love only him and this is where he trusts her.
Madam (Julian and Paul's mother) as she is known is a famous and
successful actress who is portrayed like a Queen. She is a perfectionist
when it comes to several of her whims like her hair much to the avail of
her hairdresser Lucien, her social invitations much to her PR manager
Surat's dislike and even her script done by adrenaline-high director
Robin. She has a love-hate relationship with all those who work for her,
including her indispensable housekeeper Georgie.
Eventually, Madam gets Colombe to act onstage by influencing Robin to
give her a few lines and a part, knowing that she has the potential to
act.
In time After a year, Julian storms to see Colombe, after receiving a
letter about her 'bad character' from Surat. He then confronts Colombe
who seems to be on very pally terms with all her admirers including
another actor and a director of the acting company whom she signs the
acting contract for. However, Colombe doesn't love any of the ugly older
men but uses them to get her work done.
In the midst of confrontation after a performance, Julian asks if she
has loved anyone while he was away and with emotion, Colombe reveals
that she indeed has an affair with his younger brother Paul.
However, Julian tells her that he forgives her for all her sins and
that she can still come to him if she wants to. He waits for her awhile
playing the piano but Colombe never arrives.
Hats off to Namel for directing such a brilliant drama and the great
cast who did justice to a Sinhala adaptation of a French drama. |
