Shakespeare in the Park to be held at Vihara Maha Devi Park sponsored by Cargills Ceylon PLC and in partnership with The British Council 

One of the foremost theatre groups in the country, The Workshop Players, present ‘Shakespeare in the Park’, a popular concept that makes Shakespeare’s performances accessible to theatre lovers from all walks of life. Founded in the USA as a New York Shakespeare Festival, it has gained recognition and popularity in many parts of the world. The Workshop Players will be performing three plays that feature in the O level, A Level and University curricula. A long-term sponsor of the many endeavors of the Workshop Players, Cargills Ceylon PLC & Cargills Magic will be supporting this project, along with The British Council of Sri Lanka. 

The Bard enjoys immense appreciation in Sri Lanka, with Shakespeare’s work being studied in schools and universities, increased participation at the annual inter-school Shakespeare Drama Competition, and amateur theatre groups and schools producing public performances of Shakespeare’s plays. Endorsing this effort, Tanya Warnakulasuriya, Arts Manager/Programmes of the British Council said, “The British Council Arts programme is committed to making the Arts accessible to everyone. So, having The Workshop Players as our new Artists-in Residence and supporting them to produce Sri Lanka’s first ever Shakespeare in the Park, is a perfect partnership for us. This is exactly how Shakespeare’s plays should be experienced.” 

 

“As the world commemorates Shakespeare's 400th death anniversary, The Workshop Players give life to their new venture - Shakespeare in the Park. We do hope to see it grow into an annual event. Thank you Cargills Ceylon PLC and The British Council for your support,” said Jerome L. de Silva, the Artistic Director of The Workshop Players. 

 

The three plays selected for the festival include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, and Othello. While they are currently studied as texts by students of English literature, they also provide a range of genres and styles to entertain audiences. 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Amayaa Wijesinghe, Lehan Thomas, Leyanvi Mirando and Tanika Fernando, will be held on the 28th and 29th of April. The Merchant of Venice, directed by Javin Thomas, goes on the boards on the 7th and 8th of May, while Othello, directed by Jerome L. de Silva and Nadishka Aloysius will be performed on the 14th and 15th of May. The cast comprises of experienced actors and actresses from The Workshop Players. 

Commenting on the association, Maljini Jayasekera, Group Manager - Marketing for Cargills said, " As a corporate that has consistently supported the empowerment of young people, we are committed to investing in the talent and potential of local artists. We have always believed that the workshop players is a group that enhances our talent and positions our theatre at international standards. We are confident that our consistent support to them and many such theatre groups has helped enhance local artistic potential and we are now delighted to take Shakespeare to reach every single theatre lover through what would be an open house appreciation of the bard."