The mood is sombre but electric. There is a heightened intensity that permeates the air as the soft strains of New Orleans jazz surrounds you and actors ready themselves to perform.
Memorable lines by characters known and loved through the ages flow forth; Stanley Kowalski, the man we love to hate… Blanche Dubois, the deeply damaged and tragic heroine…. Stella, Mitch, Eunice & Steve… they’re all here, bringing to life what is arguably one of America’s most iconic plays onto the stage of the Lionel Wendt theatre.
The Workshop Players, one of Sri Lanka’s foremost English theatre groups, famed for bringing the best of Broadway musicals such as ‘Cats’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘The Lion King’, ‘Oliver!’, ‘Sound of Music’ and recently “Evita” to the local stage, are in the midst of preparing for their latest endeavour- Tennessee Williams’ renowned “A Streetcar Named Desire”, an amateur production presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Limited (UK).
This theatrical classic currently being staged as a revival to mass audiences on Broadway will be directed in Sri Lanka by Jerome L. de Silva, Artistic Director of The Workshop Players. The cast includes popular actors of the local stage Mario De Soyza, Shanuki De Alwis, Bimsara Premaratne and Andre Perera amongst others.
The production will be staged in association with the Lionel Wendt to celebrate its 60th anniversary. The venue has been the base for all past Workshop Players’ productions, accommodating full houses and the standing ovations from delighted audiences gracing its auditorium to patronize some of the best dramatic fare that the local arena has to offer in the hands of WSP and their special brand of English theatre.
“It was only fitting that we now put on a production that demonstrates the very best and truest, rawest form of stage drama, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of a place that has, over 20 years, become a 2nd home to most of us.” Says Jerome.
“this production has been stripped bare of pomp & pageantry and instead explores the cerebral side of acting… the true ‘guts’ of theatre craft. We feel privileged to have the opportunity to make this presentation of an iconic play in celebration of an iconic landmark on Sri Lanka’s theatre map.”
‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ will take to the boards at the Lionel Wendt theatre from the 18th to 21st July 2013 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre (04 shows), from 7:30 pm onwards. Photo credits André Perera.
The production is proud to be associated with Main Sponsor Nation’ Trust Bank, Official Print & Digital Media Sponsors The Wijeya Newspapers Group, Official Radio Sponsor TNL Lite FM and Official Advertising PartnerTBWA/TAL.
Box plan will be available at the Lionel Wendt from the 8th of July 2013.
For further details, visit the FaceBook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/597001730319975/
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
0 Comments
Nicky Shah says:
Jul 05, 2013 at 12:00 amShould be good. I first saw this performed in Sri Lanka by Creative Minds..it went on board at the lionel wendt ages ago it was superb...can't wait for the workshops version!