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Black Dawn on the Boards

The Dramsoc of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia are preparing for their annual production which goes on the Boards on September 6 to 8 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.

This year the group of actors will be presenting something unusual, the title of the performance is Black Dawn.

Since its inception in 1872 the Thomian Dramsoc has presented a wide range of theatre, from Shakespeare, Shaw, Wilde to more contemporary playwrights. The current batch of performers played lead roles in the Anniversary production of Sophocles' King Oedipus, Nothing Really Matters, Romeo and Juliet and the musical Oliver.

The Dramsoc still remains the only theatre group which has been active ever since its inception, now in its 130th year.

The production this year is very different to the rest of their work, as it's a culmination of three plays with a continuous theme and moral. The 'human being' seems to be the victim of society in all three plays. The contrasts of the plays is obvious, each having its own issue, but the characters seem trapped in some sort of issue which proves to be fatal at the end of each play.

After Midnight before Dawn a play consisting of six prisoners are awaiting death, having been sentenced. For witchcraft. Only one character remains unmoved. On being questioned she replies that he will not hang the devil will look after his own. The play is a play of words, the action is haunting, dark and bleak. The conflict among the actors reaches a climax with all being possessed by the devil.

David's Birthday, presents the psychological dilemma of having to cope with the daily routines of a retarded boy-man. Here, the characters all suffer from their personal relationships with their families because of this one reason.

The action takes place on the day of David's birthday, which again ends in calamity.

The final play is something we all face in our country. Progress a play about a woman loosing both her husband and son in battle, finds it difficult to accept her brother's new invention - something which will stop war!!!

The production this year is directed by Vinodh Senadeera, and is assisted by Niran Ankitell and Troy Manatunga. The cast consists of experienced and senior students, among them are - Troy Manatunga, Niran Ankitell, Jithendra Seneviratne, Irshad Hameed, Suresh de Silva, Shehan Grey, Naveen Perera.