The two actor play, Lungs, directed by Sashane Perera is all set to wow audiences in two weeks time. Planning a play with all the  frills to boot - props, costumes etc - is no easy task, but planning one with absolutely no additional frills is even more of a challenge. But this is also what will make this play stand out - the minimalism that will no doubt create an impact on the audience. 

So we caught up with the director and cast of Lungs in the midst of rehearsal to ask them about being part of a play that rests squarely on the shoulders of the actors with a capable director at the helm. 

Sashane 

Give us a brief synopsis of the play. 

Lungs By Duncan MacMillan. The play only has two two characters (Couple) M and W. The plot revolves around the question “should we have a baby” and explores the state of their personal lives, professional lives while also looking into the social, political and environmental issues through this lens. 

It runs the course of the entirety of the couples lives from the point where the play starts (They are both middle aged at the start of the play) 

How challenging has it been - due to lack of set changes/costume changes etc - to direct a play that's so focused on the actors? 

I have always been fond of picking pieces that are challenging to act. I was introduced to stage as an actor (still am) and I enjoy the craft. So when selecting plays or looking for options to me the bigger the challenge the more i would be drawn towards it. 
I picked lungs without hesitation. I loved the script and the challenges it posed on myself and the cast. If we own up it, only time will tell. However, we are working hard towards that end. 

This being said two characters sustaining a play for 1 and a half hours without the fluff (set, music, ensemble, special effects) is no easy task. 

I have been fortunate to have two people who are equally passionate about this play. They are putting in the hours required to really pick apart the script, listen to the voice of the writer and also the characters, to truly understand their roles. 

When gearing up for a play, characterisation remains a big chunk of what I focus my time on. This is also the boring part of the job and I'd highlight this also as the biggest challenge in the play.  If you don't bring the character to life and paint different shades, the play will be monotone and plain boring. 

How is this play different from previous productions you have been involved in? 

I was fortunate to have a go at directing at the shakespeare drama competition and over the years, the role has grown on me. Started directing in 2007 (Co director for this production), when Ave Maria Convent won the competition producing joint best actresses. I have been involved in the competition since and went on to direct my alma mater D.S Senanayake College for the past five years. 

Took a big leap to directing a full blown production in 2014 with my debut production Men Without Shadows by Jean Paul Satre. It was dark theatre to say the least but the play had a message and to me that’s always very important when selecting a play. What do I want to communicate or what would I want the audience to feel. I would never pick a play because it has a name or due to its critical acclaim. It’s the message. 

Compared to MwS this play has lesser of a production element. Personally, I love big productions. Therefore, the transition from a big production to a more intimate one is the biggest difference. Transition from a go big mindset to a less is more. it's easier said than done. 

Also, this play is a contemporary piece, it’s very current vs MwS or the Shakespeare productions I've directed. 

How do you think the audience would perceive a play such as this? 

When reading the script I connected with the two characters and some of the things that are discussed. This is not to say that the play represents my personal experiences but i was able to relate to the situations and the characters. 

I believe the audience would also feel the same way. It’s a very real play and it will hit you in the face. Also, it doesn't take anyone with a theatre background or literally knowledge to unravel what's being discussed. Having been in and around the theatre since I was small, one of the things I found appalling was people differentiating an audience as “theatre goers” and non theatre goers”. 

I've heard time and time again, “this play is more for theatre goers and for the artsy crowd”. 

My mentor (now good friend) Feroze Kamardeen taught me that a successful production would break this so called barrier. Stagelight & Magic managed to do this with the Pusswedilla franchise, appeal to a wider subject of the audience while also remain true to content being a political satire. 

My hope is that this play would as as a mirror or a reflection of one's relationships. Really deep dive into some of those tough conversations. The beauty of any good relationship is that from a 3rd person's perspective it's as dysfunctional at best, but you make it work. 

Dino 

How is this play different from previous productions you have been involved in? 

It’s a two actor performance that runs seamlessly with situational changes reflected solely through the acting and mood lighting. The complexities in navigating these changes are challenging especially due to the fact that although chronologically sequential, the jumps in-between periods of character interaction varies from hours to days to years. 

Tell us a little bit about the role you're playing. 

An easygoing musician attracted to the likes of a woman who is his complete opposite. Spontaneous, relatively unplanned he finds her intellect extremely attractive and stimulating. He constantly contemplates if meets her needs even though he does not fully understand them and does his best to meet what he perceives are her expectations. 

With the weight of the play on your shoulders - did you at any point consider it too challenging? 

Yes I did, considering the pace and changes the concept demands. Sashane and Tehani have been extremely supportive in helping me understand the full height and depth of the character and for that I am extremely grateful. 

How did you prepare for your role? Did you find any parallels in your personal life that helped you relate? 

Preparing for the role required a lot of collaborative work alongside Tehani in understanding the relationship between the two characters as it is a script that is relationship centric. In terms of personal life, the storyline is one that is easy to relate to due to its exploration of relationships and self-satisfaction. I also drew parallels between situations in the script and those that have impacted me personally via life experiences of colleagues and friends. 

Tehani 

How is this play different from previous productions you have been involved in? 

It's more about the character I am playing than the play itself. I have never played a character like her before. 

Tell us a little bit about the role you're playing. 

She is a woman who is raw and vulnerable. She is brutally honest and wears her heart on her sleeve. 

With the weight of the play on your shoulders - did you at any point consider it too challenging? 

I have not felt that sense of pressure. There are two actors and we play off each other a lot. We have a director with a clear idea of what he wants for the show. We also have an amazing script to work with. So it has never felt too challenging. 

How did you prepare for your role? Did you find any parallels in your personal life that helped you relate? 

My main point of reference was the script. We have been rehearsing since March, so I have had much time to sit with the text. 

Lungs will go on board from the 23rd - 26th June at the Punchi Theatre. Tickets priced Rs. 1200/- (Downstairs) and Rs. 800/- (Balcony) are available at the Punchi Theatre. Free seating, so first come first serve! 

Interviewed by Rihaab Mowlana