Indu celebrates 60 plays with “Madai Tommiya Facebook Giya”

Indu Dharmasena is relentless, and takes to the stage this March, with a play that will mark a jubilant 60 on his theatrical journey. He’s chosen a very special, timeless story, the Tommiya classic, to celebrate this milestone. Quite the expert on picking a topical matter to weave his story around, Indu has tied up an enduring Sri Lankan comic figure with the social networking site that has been creating waves over here.   

Indu enthused, “The main reason behind doing this play is so that everyone who attends will relax and have an enjoyable evening, forgetting all your troubles.” Madai Tommiya Facbeeok Giya is a “new” comedy that relates the story of Tommy’s stay at a hairdresser’s and in the process of learning English and becoming “fashionable” he is roped into joining Facebook – needless to say chaos ensues.

Tommy is brought to Colombo for the sole purpose of learning English by Andana Silva, hairdresser and fashion designer. The innocent and naïve Tommy, is exploited by Rehan, a conniving staff member at Andana’s Salon. Technologically challenged Tommiya depends on others to help him with learning the ropes of “Facebook”, which paves way for a chain of hilarious events.

Basically, Tommy portrays the natural emotions every (non city dwelling) newcomer initially experiences and experiments on Facebook, the moral of the exercise going on to show that whatever pit one digs for another he might fall into it himself. Wrapped in misunderstandings, chaos, Colombo society satire, and wordplay, Madai Tommiya Facebook Giya will prove to be nothing short of the usual Indu fare!

The play is special to some members of the cast in particular. Four of them, Michael and Priyanka Holsinger, Indu and Chitranga Kariyawasam were part of the cast of the director’s first Tommiya adventure, 1989 circa. They will be reuniting in this reproduction of the classic with a twist in it. The cast comprises Indu Dharmasena, Nihili Senarath, Anushan Selvarajah, Keshiya Leitch, Yasal Ruhunage, Michael Holsinger, Chithranga Kariyawasam, Priyanka Holsinger, Shohan Chandiram, Sanwada Dharmasena, Senalli Ranathunga, Anoop Kapukotuwa and Keshan Leitch.

Set to go on boards on 7, 8 and 9 March at 7.30 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt, Madai Tommiya Facebook Giya is Director Indu Dharmasena’s 60th play, for which he invites everyone to come, sit back and have a good laugh.

Tickets are priced at Rs.2000/-, Rs.1500/-,Rs.800/- & Rs.500/-(Balcony unreserved)
 

Text by Nivedha Jeyaseelan