MassK:

Ibsen's timeless play at Punchi Theatre

By Anuradha Kodagoda

Kaushalya Fernando

Integrity is fine and good until somebody's wallet gets hurt. This goes hand in hand with the play MassK by Kaushalya Fernando, the Sinhala production of An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen. It will be staged from December 22 to 24 at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.

Talking to Montage, about her second theatrical venture MassK, the veteran actress Kaushalya Fernando said, "Through An Enemy of the People Ibsen tried to address the hypocritical and corrupt natures of the political system, and the irrational tendencies of the masses which I believe still remains true in any socio-economic and political environment. It is a story of a man who struggles to do the right thing and speak the truth in the face of unbelievable social intolerance. It is one of the best of Ibsen's productions that I love and MassK is the Sinhala production of An Enemy of the People which I want to share with Sinhala theatre audiences,"

Henrik Ibsen is often referred to as the Father of Realism and is one of the founders of Modernism in theatre. An Enemy of the People was first published in 1882 and the drama describes a small town in Norway that has become successful as a hot springs spa resort catering to the needs of those in need of cleansing Dr. Stockmann, once a proud and enthusiastic proponent of spas, had a bad feeling about the purity of the water and did some testing.

The results of the tests showed severe contamination and he made his findings public. Thinking that the town folk would be pleased, the good doctor was instead shocked to learn that almost everyone, from small business owners to the zealous local press, to his brother the mayor were actually fuming in rage at the thought that he may jeopardise the public livelihood.

"The script of the MassK is based on the Sinhala translation of An Enemy of the People by Prof. Sunanda Mahendra and the English translation by Peter Watts. The script was developed by me and Xavier Kanishka and we really work hard to get the assence of both the Sinhala and English translations of An Enemy of the People.

I have heard that Arthur Miller adapted the play by using only three chapters of An Enemy of the People. Here also we got only four chapters of the play and moulded the story the message to what we wanted to convey. Therefore, to call MassK an adaptation would be appropriate," Kaushalya said.

Actors in the play.

The cast of MassK includes youth artistes (2013 batch) who have successfully completed the Diploma program in Drama and Theatre at Lanka Children's and Youth Theatre Foundation (LCYTF) conducted by Kaushalya Fernando and Prasanna Mahagamage. The Diploma program entails all-round training such as acting, script writing and analysis, directing, movement and vocal training.

For over 25 years, the LCYTF has trained numerous talented youth who are at present engaged in theatre and the film industry at professional level in Sri Lanka.

"As MassK is a group thesis of students who completed the diploma program at LCYTF, other than directing the play, all the other work related to the production such as stage management, costume designing, music, publicity and the other work were done by the students. I only focused on directing them. However, I welcome their ideas to develop the play and I think that process really helps them to develop their skills in theatre,"

MassK is directed by Kaushalya Fernando and the cast includes, Shanaka Fernando, Geetha Alahakoon, Kumudini Wickramathanthri, Thilakshini Ratnayake, Geeth Ratnayake, Xavier Kanishka, Yashodha Rasanduni, Vimukthi Kirriella, Megha Colombage, Buddhika Edirisinghe, Chamara Gamethige, Poojana Dandeniya and Rohan Wijethunga.

"I believe Henrik Ibsen's message to his audience was to stand up for what you believe is right. Though your opinion may not be the popular opinion, it is important to live out what is inside you rather than the lies other people say. Just because the majority of the people think one way that does not mean it is the only way. Never be afraid to say what is in your heart, even if it means you will experience ridicule.

As Ibsen once said, "The strongest man in the world is he who stands the most alone which I believe is so true. Ibsen's plays are timeless. The lessons and morals propounded are as relevant now as they were in Ibsen's day. I think that's why it says an artiste is a person who foresees the future," Kaushalya said.