The importance of performing arts

When a film journalist once asked 'American Beauty' director Sam Mendes whether he would like to work in 3-D (like James Cameron in Avatar ), his simple answer was - "I already do - it's called theatre". That answer sums up the power of theatre, which is the most 'immediate' form of art and entertainment. Although films which feature actual people and places (as opposed to animated films) are called 'live action' films, nothing beats the theatre which is actually 'live action' in front of an active audience. Theatre is not a passive experience - people on stage as well as off it are actively engaged in a 'live' experience.

Theatre (stage drama) and other forms of 'live' performing art (dance, opera, stand-up comedy, musical shows etc) are an integral part of the cultural scene. They should in reality be part and parcel of our lives instead of becoming a distant entity. A booming theatre and performing arts scene in a given country is a sign of a healthy cultural environment and of a people who appreciate the finer things of life.

One should peruse the 'Culture' section of a newspaper from a developed country to gain idea of how widespread the 'theatre culture' really is in those countries. There is a plethora of drama and other live performances to choose from on any given night at affordable rates (in comparison with the earnings in these countries, of course) in very comfortable and clean theatres. They are readily accessible to the ordinary man, who can watch a drama after a hard day's work. True, there are certain areas where such performances are concentrated (Ex: West End in London), but theatergoers all over these countries usually have access to good performances at local theatres. Going to the theatre is not an exotic pastime but a way of life.

Here in this country there is a theatre scene, but not many are aware of what is going on. There have been - and there are - extremely good stage productions in all three languages. There are only a few theatres in Colombo (Lionel Wendt, Bishop's College auditorium, Lumbini, John de Silva, Navarangahala, BMICH, British School, Kularatne Hall, Punchi Theatre, Elphinstone and Tower Hall) which stage dramas, but not all of them have stage plays every day. Some of them barely get a performance at least once a week.

One reason for the perceived lack of interest seems to be the lack of media coverage on the theatre scene. Coverage even in the mainstream vernacular press is minimal and most dramatists cannot afford to advertise their shows in the press and on television/radio. There are newspaper columns and articles that feature stage plays and other performing arts, but this exposure is not wide enough to garner islandwide attention. The State conducts drama awards annually, but there is little publicity for this immensely beneficial move.

The media must maintain a healthy dialogue with dramatists and other players in the performing art industry. They should be given more airtime on radio and television. In the very early days of local television, reputed dramas such as Kelani Paalama were aired in weekly episodes, thus giving the dramatists islandwide exposure for their creations. This practice died a natural death with the advent of weekly made-for-television dramas (later named teledramas), but it is time that quality stage dramas are re-introduced on local TV. This will also make the viewers look out for other creations by the dramatists and performers concerned.

Another inhibiting factor is that most dramas are staged only in Colombo. Even there, there is no practice of a 'continuous run' for dramas unlike in other countries. The Cultural Ministry should formulate plans to build more drama theatres in key provincial cities and towns and take more dramas to the outstations. Artistes who take their creations to the provinces should be given incentives and concessions. Tickets for performances should be affordably priced in a way that producers and patrons gain in the end.

The country also needs a film and drama school to find young talent, especially from the outstations. The youth in those areas have talent, but not the opportunities to enter the world of performing arts. Such a school will enable them to launch a career in the theatre. The State should also encourage young, promising dramatists who have already proven their mettle.

We hope that such an institution will be part of the massive performing arts complex that will be up and running in Colombo (Nomads Grounds) next year. The centre, a gift from China, is now under construction. If all goes well, more such performing arts centres would be built in the provinces as well, giving aspiring dramatists and audiences an opportunity to present and admire quality stage plays. That is a prime requirement to mould an arts-loving populace.

More encouragement is essential for the creation of Tamil and English dramas, which are few and far between. Now that the North and the East are being developed rapidly, the cultural aspects too should be taken into account. Development plans must include the construction of film and drama halls in the key Northern and Eastern cities. The Tamil dramas produced in Colombo must be taken to the North and the East. Likewise, English dramas too should find audiences at least in Galle and Kandy. Tamil and English dramas too can be telecast on dedicated Tamil and English language channels to popularise them further.

Only a very few stage dramas have been turned into films and television series in our country, although this is a standard practice in many countries. This is worthy of consideration, at least in the case of the best award-winning stage dramas. This will help the playwrights through the box office and royalties. And this would not mean the end of the stage play - the two media can, and will, complement each other.

It is also important to revive some of the well-known local stage plays with all-new casts for the benefit of the younger generation. Otherwise there will be a generation who will never know about the award-winning dramas of yore. That will also be a lasting tribute to our pioneering dramatists who strove to create outstanding plays that have stood the test of time. They could also be filmed for packaged and online media for distribution here and abroad.

The Government and the drama community should also explore the possibility of bringing down well-known foreign dramas to our stages or staging them with local actors after following the relevant copyright laws. This will give local audiences a chance to experience quality theatre without necessarily going abroad. The same goes for other performing arts, such as music.

It is very important that we encourage the production of quality stage plays in all three languages. While awards schemes certainly help, other measures such as monetary incentives and drama courses here and abroad must be formulated for the benefit of the industry.

The infrastructure should also be made available. The drama industry needs more exposure, more public participation and more appreciation. It is an essential and integral part of our evolving culture and should be treated as such by all stakeholders concerned.