With just a few days left for Cinderella to bring her magic on stage, the cast is busy fine-tuning their roles to make it a success. We sat down to chat with the main cast members. Cinderella is a production by Theatre Junction directed by Anushka Senanayake.

Eraj Gunawardena as Jean-Michel and Sebastian 

“John Mitchell is a revolutionist who’s not found in the original Cinderella but they have updated it to the Rogers and Hammerstein’s version. Sebastien is the Lord Protector – who looks after the Prince and takes decisions on behalf of the Prince. 
This is my second production with Anushka. I acted in Next to Normal and this is quite interesting because people will expect the Disney version of Cinderella but this is way bigger than that. This version has a lot of dancing, singing and acting and there’s a live orchestra as well. This play caters to fans of all ages.
I always say that Anushka is one of the most professional people I have ever worked with. Each and every rehearsal is very productive.” 

Melanie Bibile as the Stepmother 

Melanie Bibile

“The stepmother is a character who wants to be something that she’s not. So she’s trying to live a happy life and portray something she doesn’t have. In that sense she takes all her anger and frustration out on Cinderella because she sees things in Cinderella that she likes but she can’t achieve. 
I have been singing for quite a while and right now I’m doing training courses for the youth which focus on preventing suicide, helping them out of defeat and other aspects. I have two children and with their schedules I am quite busy but I’m enjoying it to the fullest. I have been singing with Mary Anne David for over 17 years and also I have worked with the Workshop Players. This is my first production with Anushka and she’s very professional.
I love acting and I’m enjoying it.”

Kumudini David as Crazy Marie and the Fairy Godmother 

“Both my roles are fun and different. The Fairy Godmother is the enabler – the person who pushes people to be a better person for them. That’s more of my role than doing magic.
I’m a mother of a 13 year old son. I’m also an artiste, a choral director, vocal trainer and an art teacher. Melanie and I started off together as Marianne singers and I have been one of her students for over 20 years. I also worked with the Workshop Players. I’m usually the bad woman in theatre productions but this time I’m a good woman. That’s novel for me. I’m enjoying being a good person for a while. 
It’s a pleasure to be working with Anushka because everything from time management to cast care has been looked in to. We feel respected and included. I certainly hope that I get to work with them again.”

Harin Amirthanathan - Lord Pinkleton

“I’m the Lord Protector’s second-in-command. I love this character because I feel that I could express myself in a way where I feel that I have certain bounds in the palace but when I go out to give announcements I’m always in the limelight. 
This is my first production with Theatre Junction and I’m super excited about it. Although I have been singing for a while and this is the first time I’m appearing on stage. It was a bit of a challenge but working with Anushka helped me to overcome it. She gives the freedom to explore. 
I’m a designer and I’m also a classical baritone and a trained choral director. It’s nice to work with this team and be a part of this production.”

Shalini Corea – Charlotte

“I’m one of Cinderella’s stepsisters. My character is very conflicted and she’s more like a mommy’s tail. She wants to be like her mother and she hides her jealousy. She’s always overlooked by her mother.
I finished my A/L’s last year and I’m going to New York University in Abu Dhabi this August.  I mainly acted in school at Shakespeare drama competitions. I did the Garage Show and have worked with the Workshop Players as well.”

Damien Fernando as Prince Topher and Jean-Michel

 

Damien Fernando

“The Prince is just after university and he’s figuring out what his place is. He has just inherited the kingdom from his parents and it was looked after by the current Lord Protector, Sebastian. He’s therefore coming to terms with his responsibilities, the gravity of his post and how to be a just ruler to the kingdom. Along with that he’s also coming out to move with society. So it’s him trying to find his place. John Mitchell on the other hand is the voice of the people. He hopes for a better tomorrow and he’s fighting for it.
I sing for a living and that’s what takes most of my time. I’m also involved at least in one theatre production per year. I have been involved in a handful of productions in school including plays by Shakespeare. I also have done a few productions with Jehan, Feroze and this is the second time I’m working with Theatre Junction and it has been unbelievably pleasant.” 

Gyles Dharmaratne as Prince Topher

Gyles Dharmaratne and Devashrie De Silva

“The Prince tries to find himself throughout the entire play and his journey in this play is to find who he is and what he’s supposed to do as a king. He then meets Cinderella and she inspires him to be a better person and guides him in a way in which he gets to be king. 
I have been involved in Sound of Music, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Next to Normal. 
I sing and act and I work in the advertising industry. It’s so much easier to sing than act but it’s interesting to get out of your comfort zone once in a while and do something different. It’s super awesome to work with Anushka and Natasha.”

 

Devashrie De Silva as Cinderella

“Cinderella in this version is a resilient, strong and persevering character. Although she’s suffering from deep inside, she wants to help everyone around her. She has so many layers because although she seems to be obedient, she is strong. She even questions the policies of the kingdom, helps the Prince find his identity. She also inspires the entire kingdom about kindness. This play is very positive and its theme is that anything is possible.
I have worked with Anu in her previous production Next to Normal and working with them helps us to extend our boundaries. Anu and Natasha nurture talent and discern an actor’s potential. I have worked with the Workshop Players and have gotten involved with some productions back in school. 
I love acting and that’s why I’m doing my Masters in acting so that I can combine singing and acting. Through musical theatre I can enjoy both worlds.”

Dinara Punchihewa as Gabrielle

“I’m another of the stepsisters playing alongside Shalini (Charlotte). When people say Cinderella there’s an evil stepmother etc. But Gabrielle is suffering from her own insecurities and ideals of the world. It’s a nice sub-story in the story. 
I recently graduated with a Degree in Drama from London and before that I have been involved in many school productions. I was involved in Rag – The Musical by Jehan Aloysius. In London I was involved in various plays such as Big City Bright Lights, Women and War. When I came back I worked with Tasmine Anthony’s Chatroom. In addition to that I have been involved in Sinhala theatre, commercials and a silver screen production in Bollywood last year. 
This is my first production with Anushka and she’s very accommodating. I love acting and I want to be an actress.” 

Mohamad Adamally as Sebastian

“Sebastian is the Lord Chancellor. He has been looking after the kingdom ever since the Prince’s parents’ died. His views are very dictatorial. His idea is that because of his seniority and power he would shield the Prince from all matters of the state and abuses the Prince’s name to put in new laws which are horrendous. 
One of the reasons I’m in this play is because Anushka has been committed to theatre from her school days. I have seen her productions over the last four to five years and they are quite impressive. There’s so much to learn from the new people coming in to theatre. The maturity level is growing and overall it will be a balanced production. I’m pretty glad that I accepted her invitation.” 

Cinderella will be staged from July 28 – August 1 at the Lionel Wendt theatre from 7.00pm onwards.

Pictures by Jason Eardly