Have you had to keep up with a Perera? Here’s a play of one that feels she has to, and you are sure to relate!

Indu is at it again! His third play for the year will be taking to the boards this weekend, and it’s got everything you expect from an Indu recipe – societal satire, relatable characters and a lot of chaos! This time around the theme is one that people are all too familiar with.

Highly taken up by a wealthy and epitomical Perera that a Fernando meets in a Bollywood dance class, she does everything in her power (and somethings that are beyond her power) to be just like her. Mrs. Fernando drags onboard Mr. Fernando into the vanity bandwagon as well, and he grudgingly consents.

The director explains, “So this is a scenario every family has experienced at some point! Wives who are influenced and adamant to live a life that is outside their norm, means or ability and a protesting husband who finally gives into the vanity, left with little or no choice.” Nosy neighbours, who are more than happy to mind anyone’s business but their own, so much so, that they barge into gatherings in the neighbourhood, are also present to add to the humorous confusion and the ensuing chaos.

There’s more – a deaf visiting uncle, an ill-fated ‘murder’ and terrible customer service from an important party: you can’t ask for more “fun” at a house party!! Everyone in the audience, Indu believes will either nudge their partner or cringe themselves by how relatable the characters are: either it is someone they know, or themselves!

Will the Fernando ultimately be able to keep up finely with the Perera albeit the chaos and confusion and mishaps?! Be there at the Wendt this Friday, Saturday and Sunday to find out if they manage alright, at one of the most interesting parties or party-planning happening this season.

Keshiya Leitch – Keshiya is playing Apeksha, who everyone in the play has taken up for their paradigm and strives to keep up with! “It’s very flattering! I love it” she exclaims. “She’s immune to the idolizing and doesn’t overreact or brag. She’s just sweet and concerned. With the capacity to get a bit curious, she finds the whole Fernando-situation very amusing! It’s always difficult to get into the shoes of someone of who you’re not. That said, I find it a very interesting role. Rehearsals are always so much fun.” She concluded, “Come-watch-relate to it!” 

Sanwada Dharmasena – Sanwada is stepping into the obsessive Mrs. Dulanthi Fernando’s role. A role that is greatly influenced by his own wife and many a typical Colombo-dwelling woman according to Indu, Sanwada contradicts as she says she is far from the Dulanthi! “There may be certain similarities since Dulanthi has facets of every married woman – a general aspect of Colombo society,” says Sanwada. “It is challenging because it is a rare sane role that I have had to play. If I’m playing a maddo then it’s easy to build up a quirk and pull it off. To be closer to reality is a bit tough on stage!” Nevertheless, she enjoys everything about having to do it. 

Chithranga Kariyawasam and Seneli Ranathunga share the very colourful roles of the neighbours, Cassilda Silva and Menik Mendis. They stress, “They are general figures in the public. Striving to climb the social ladder with no scruples about infringing on a neighbour’s privacy, or pushing their way into everything they do.” While Chithranga plays a craftier mastermind, Seneli is the more ‘classy’, dependent gossip. Chithranga says, “I have played similar roles in the past, though not too recently. Of course it is high fun to be playing such a character!” Though Seneli isn’t familiar with such a role she “thoroughly enjoys” being able to do it now.

Yasal Ruhunage has an interesting role to pull off, a deaf Fernando relative who’s in denial, “It’s fun being in this cast though my role is actually hard act. Mainly so, because it’s the character of an old gentleman who’s deaf but is also in denial. He’s also a fun character who has nothing but good intentions at heart. But because he’s hard of hearing only ends up adding to the complications. (He’s a bit of a “kukula” too!!)”

Anushan Selvarajah has a minor role to play, but is having nothing short of a very good time, “Working with Indu is always a blast. Although I have a relatively small role, being involved in all aspects of the play from acting to prompting to working backstage is quite crazy and fun. There’s never a dull moment when the cast is together. On a lighter note, Sanwada’s coffee after a hard day of work is a godsend!”

KEEPING UP WITH THE PERERAS! Directed by Indu Dharmasena

When: 29^th, 30^th November and 1^st December

At: 7. 30 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt Auditorium

Ticket prices: - Rs.1500/-, Rs.1000/-, Rs.800/-, Rs. 500/- (balcony unreserved)

By Nivedha Jeyaseelan

Pix by Kushan Pathiraja