Walking Path – Interview with Ruwanthie – Co-writer of WALKING PATH, and Artistic Director of Stages Theatre Group.

‘Walking Path’, a wordless play that explores the new walking path culture of Sri Lanka, will be presented by Stages Theatre Group, this weekend.  Scripted by Ruwanthie de Chickera and Directed by Jayampathi Guruge, the piece will work as a symbol to understand this emerging sub-culture in post-war Sri Lanka.

When: 26th and 27th of July
Where: Lionel Wendt
Time: 7:00pm
Tickets: Rs 1500, 1000, 750, 500 and 300 (Balcony).

Stages Theatre Group, led by Ruwanthie de Chickera, has a history of producing excellent, original Sri Lankan play such as ‘CHECKPOINT’, ‘Two Times Two is Two’ and most recently ‘Kalumaali’.

Ruwanthie de Chickera

How was the idea for Walking Path conceived and then developed?

The walking paths of Colombo have literally exploded into existence. The speed at which they have taken over the architecture and imagination of the city of Colombo is phenomenal.  It is rare that a sub-cultures explode like this.  There are reasons for this, there’s a lot of money being invested, there seems to be a curiosity and enthusiasm from sections of the general public – as soon as places are completed they are flooded.  It’s like watching history take place in a short space of time. When the landscape of a city is replaced so quickly, what is lost is lost instantly and what is created, then has to be addressed. The Walking Paths have affected people in many ways, people have lost households, they have lost or gained livelihoods, lost or gained lifestyles; the psychological effect it has had on everybody, whether positive or negative, needs to be addressed. We must think about where this is coming from and where it is going.  We, have to claim our right to respond to this.

Why do you think there is a rise in devising theatre?

Possibly because people are responding to general trends taking place worldwide - the democratisation and ownership of decisions.  There is less hierarchy in the devising process.  There was a time when writers were writers, directors were directors, film makers made films, but now we are all multi disciplinarians.  The growth of the internet and access to information has helped this. People are discovering for themselves that they are capable of much more than what they thought they were.  The devising process is a truly collaborative creative process.  It reflects the way people are working together in general.

What journey would you like this play to take the audience on?

The audience will have to take responsibility for their own journey.  The play is left open to your own interpretation.   We don't use words.  But it is not a mime.  Like in the walking paths, it's a situation of silent observation of human behaviour.  Complex human situations where words are redundant or insufficient.  Without the fixed interpretation of words, the audience will have to chart their own way through the play.

By Marissa van Eyck