Cultural Diary

'Gladiator Premaya' at Lumbini

Lanka Children's and Youth Theatre Foundation (LCYTF) will present "Gladiator Premaya", an original stageplay in Sinhala on January 11 and 12 at The Lumbini Theatre at 6.45 p.m.

The LCYTF or better known as Play House-Kotte which was established as a voluntary organisation (as Lanka Children's and Youth Theatre Organisation) in 1981 by Mrs. Somalatha Subasinghe, the veteran playwright and theatre director, with a view to promote in particular children's and youth theatre and mainstream theatre in Sri Lanka, was made a Foundation under the Act No. 3 of 2007.

A scene from the play

Over the years LCYTF has produced a repertoire of internationally acclaimed, mainly musical theatre for children and youth and award winning mainstream theatre productions. Today LCYTF is the leading producer of theatre for children and youth, and one of the major training and skill development centres for actors and other creative professionals in Sri Lanka.

With its theatre productions over the years, LCYTF has also been able to set new standards for the Sri Lankan theatre.

'Gladiator Premaya' is created by the youth theatre artists who have successfully completed the Diploma Programme in Drama and Theatre conducted by Ms. Kaushalya Fernando in 2009. The Diploma programme entails all round training such as acting, script writing and analysis, directing, movement and vocal training. Over 25 years, the LCYTF has been training numerous talented youth who are at present engaged in the work of both theatre and film industry at professional level in Sri Lanka.

The storyline and the script of the play have been developed by the young theatre artists, who have completed the training in Drama and Theatre arts at LCYTF. Development of the script was done under the supervision of Namal Jayasinghe. Namal was the chief resource person of the script writing and analysis section of the diploma programme. 'Gladiator Premaya' is based on a certain Sri Lankan contemporary social issues. They are dramatized on stage to bring forth the youth point of view of the issues. The play is co-directed by Prasanna Mahagamage and Namal Jayasinghe. Prasanna works with Kaushalya on Acting, Directing and Movements sections of the diploma programme. Both Namal and Prasanna joined Play House-Kotte in 1997 and obtained their training in theatre arts at LCYTF.

'Gladiator Premaya' cast includes Wishvajith Gunasekera, Priyantha Siri Kumara, Nadishani Weliwita, Harsha Thennekoon, Sulochana Weerasinghe, Nadishani Padmasiri, Geetha Alahakoon, Mayura Kanchana, Nilanka Dahanayake, Dilip Kumara. Constume Designed by Namal Jayasinghe, Kaushalya Fernando and Prasanna Mahagamage, Stage sets designed by Namal Jayasinghe and Prasanna Mahagamage, Stage Lighting designed by Chandana Aluthge, Stage management is by Isuru Kashyapa and Ahiru Nimantha. Production Manager is Thilina Perera. Make-up is by Priyantha Siri Kumara and Bhanu Prasanna. The play is co-directed by Prasanna Mahagamage and Namal Jayasinghe. Kaushalya Fernando and Chandana Aluthge are executive producers of the play.

Free training course

The Aesthetic Art Creative Unit of Mohan Lal Grero Foundation will offer a free training Course in oil painting for youth over 18 year. The course will be conducted by internationally renowned Batik and Art Designer Somarathna Gomes every weekend at the Lyceum International School in Nugegoda. Applications should be sent along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to "The Painting Course" Mohan Lal Grero Foundation, No: 18, Peitersz Place, Nugegoda.

Arangetram

Ganga Sandamalie Mendis Prabha Kumarie Jayawardana, M. D. Yuresha Sandamalie and Maheshi Mihirani Withana first class graduates of dance from the Jayewardenepura University will hold their Bharatha Natya arrangetram at the John de Silva memorial theatre, Colombo 7 on January 16 at 5.30 p.m. They are students of Miranda Hemalatha.

YAL Devi

Media premiere of Yal Devi , how vibrations of terrorism in Sri Lanka affected the lives of expatriates in the "West will be held on January 15, at 4.00 p.m. at NFC Theatre. Yal Devi is directed by Dr.Sumedha Jayasena.