Keeping Up with the Pereras - Meet The Cast! 

A frolic of comedy by no other than Indu Dharmesena, who is back with yet another masterpiece of his and this time it’s all about the nosy neighbour, deaf uncles, wannabe wives and of course the Pereras they are all trying to keep up with! 

I had the opportunity to intrude the cast during their rehearsals (okay not exactly intrude, I was warmly welcomed) and oh my goodness! They are quite the fun and enthusiastic cast and rather unique in their very own ways playing extremely relatable characters in the Sri Lankan context. I had a terrific time getting to know them, and now it’s your turn to meet the cast! 

Sanwada Dharmasena starring as Dulanthi Fernando 

“So basically the character I’m playing is a typical housewife from a middle class family, who does exercise and meets up with their friends, and well she’s having a dinner party for her Bollywood dance class friends (can’t allow spoilers!). This turned into a complete mess. My character is quite anxious and aspires to be like the high society women, in other words to imitate the Pereras. I’d say the comedy is quite relatable when it comes to certain scenarios. And of course my husband – Indu, believes this character defines me” 

Indu Dharmasena starring as Ramesh Fernando 

“In both the play and real life, I give my wife (Dulanthi) with what she wants. And according to her I’m a very loving, decent husband who wants to give the best to his wife. However we are also blessed with nosy neighbours, which of course means we're bound to have a lot of drama in our lives” 

Sashini Wakwella starring as Casilda Silva & Ruwendi Wakwella starring as Menik Mendis A.K.A the Nosy Neighbours 

“We are basically the typical gossip mongers, the sort of neighbors who devote their time to spy on our neighbors (Ramesh and Dulanthi Fernando), we are also social lechers who wishes to be associated with t he high society, and will do whatever it takes to be part of it! We liked to be a part of this comedy because it’s really fun and it’s a perfect gateway from the usual stressful days” 

Yasal Ruhunage starring as Charlie Fernando A.K.A the Deaf Uncle 

“So I’m basically Ramesh’s uncle, and I’m growing old, with a terrible hearing and who’s in denial. I like to talk to myself and I’m pretty much the unexpected guest to barge into my favourite nephew’s house during the busiest of time. Oh and also I’m called the “kukula” I enjoy doing this especially since I’ve been acting for a while and I like this role mostly because it’s nice and different” 

Lanka Wijesena starring as Apeksha Perera A.K.A the Perera everyone’s trying to imitate 

“I’m a socialite and everyone wants to know me however despite me carrying the exclusive Prada handbag or the Gucci heels, I only want the simple life however since my husband is very brand conscious and rich I’m put forth with this life. Although I’m a very down to earth person and wish to be friends with genuine people, and on a personal note I’m very interested in acting!” 

Kehara Edirisinghe starring as Aria Perera 

“I’m the innocent, bubbly kind of daughter of Apeksha Perera. I enter the story after ballet class and I’m just an average 10 year old” 

Anushan Selvarajah starring as Kapila 

“I’m basically Ramesh Fernando’s brother in law, who arrives to take away the old man before the dinner party starts” 

To purchase tickets head over to the Lionel Wendt! Tickets priced at: Rs. 3000/-, Rs. 2500/-, Rs. 2000/-, Rs. 1000/- and Rs. 500/- (balcony unreserved). 

You can keep up with The Pereras for three consecutive days, from the 6th, 7th and the 8th of May 2016. The show on the 6th & & 7th of May 2016 is presented by the Kingswood Union Colombo Union in aid of the school projects. Please contact Kamal on 0777 256516 for more details. The show on the 8th of May 2016 is presented by the National Council for Mental Health – Sahanaya. Please contact Neelika on 071 7427742 for more details. 

By Zainab Faizal 
Photographs by Waruna Wanniarachchi