The main leads of Dowry Hunter! 

The Dowry Hunter by S.J Crowther, a vintage comedy dating back to the good old days is all set to invade the hearts of all drama lovers much to their excitement. The play which is produced by Jith Pieris, is directed by Indu Dharmasena and the cast comprises of Indu Dharmasena as Bassenaike, Sanwada Dharmasena as Juanitha Pieris, Ruwendi Wakwella as Hemara Pieris, Yasal Ruhunage as D.M Alexander Amarapradasa, Kanishka Herat as Upali Katunayake and Avishka De Alwis as Upali’s PA/BF, Stanly Silva. Speaking to the Daily Mirror Life, this talented bunch of individuals shared their experience working with Jith, what characters they are performing and what they have got from drama.

What are your roles on stage?

Indu : I play the role of Bassenaike, the marriage Broker or the R.M.F (Rich Man's Friend) as referred to in the play. A very interesting and colourful role which was the role played by the late E.C.B. Wijesinghe originally. In the play Bassenaike is accused of being only interested in money (the commission he gets out of arranging marriages) and that he would do anything to be in the good books of a rich man.

Sanwada : I play Mrs. Juanitha Pieris, the formidable aunt who shockingly neglected her nephew (Katunayake) when he was poor. But now since he has come into money is trying to establish their relationship on a solid footing and marry him off to her daughter.

Ruwendi : I play the role of Hemara Pieris, daughter of Juanitha Peiris. I am completely different to my mother. She came to help Katunayake when he became rich and is trying to hook us up. Initially when we meet I treat him quite rudely. But in the end we actually fall in love.

Yasal : I play the role of D.M Alexander Amarapradasa who acts like a very rich man. I don’t like to associate these people but I reach Katunayake because I’m broke and want to get the money in exchange of my seat in parliament and retire. Also I am interested in marrying a rich widow. But I fall for a man in disguise.

Kanishka : I am Upali Katunayake who has won the Irish sweepstake after having a hard time trying to cope up with life. I come from a poor background but as soon as i won the lottery the play revolves around how I try to manage life after becoming rich. I get marriage proposals, investment opportunities and in order to keep things under control I appoint my best friend as my personal assistant. So my aunt tries to hook me up with her daughter and after a series of twists and turns we fall in love.

Avishka : I play the role of Upali’s personal assistant/best friend. We have been together for a long time and have experienced the good and the bad together. We get thrown out of workplaces and face many unpleasant situations. But once he wins the golden ticket he appoints me as his PA and my duty is to see that he is safe, advice him on what to do and shadow him as well. Many people are trying to approach him for his money. The best part is when his aunt tries to reach him I have to dress up as a female and act like his girlfriend.

Indu and Sanwada

What is your role behind the stage?

Yasal : I work as a systems engineer at Virtusa. Drama can be quite stressful but Indu’s work plan is modified. After work when we come here we feel relaxed.

Sanwada : Basically I assist Indu  in his work. Usually I do the choreography in his plays.

Ruwendi :  I work for a policy think-tank.

Kanishka : I am doing the final stage of CIMA while in my apprentice year at Sri Lanka law college.

Ruwendi (left) and Avishka (right)

Is this your first experience in drama?

Yasal : I have been in dramas in school mostly Shakespeare. I have been in more than 5 plays directed by Indu. Ever since then I have been acting. Also I have done a few plays with Professor Halpe during school.

Sanwada : When I was in school I got involved in a couple of school productions. But I mainly did dancing and my public performances in drama started in 2004. My first play was ‘Madai Tommiya 007 Wuna’ which was a production by Indu. I didn’t have a speaking role in it and I only danced.

Ruwendi : I am coming back to the drama industry after a two year break. I worked with Indu in his last play ‘Maru Palanaya’ and this is my next play.

Kanishka : I have been in plays such as the Christmas Carol, He Comes From Jaffna and many other productions.

Avishka : I have participated in plays while in school. I have been in many Shakespearean plays and afterwards I joined Silent Hands Productions. Also I have worked with Jith and Pusswedilla.

Kanishka (left) and Yasal (right)

What have you learned from theatre?

Yasal : Best thing I have learned from drama is to put you in someone else’s shoes, live in that character and see things from their perspective.

Sanwada : What I have learned is how to observe people, how they react. When you play a certain role you have to observe them and play it. So it’s a learning process.

Kanishka : For me drama is an escape from my normal life routine. I have been working in backstage crews and I simply enjoy every bit of it.

Avishka : Drama actually helped me to forget stage fright and go out in public and perform without any problem. What I am today is all because of drama.

Ruwendi :  Everything I am today is because of drama. It’s what has gotten me out of my shell today.

In his comments Indu Dharmasena said, “This is not the first time Jith and I are working together. He has acted in my plays earlier and we have done this same play nearly two decades ago. We have a good rapport and it's a pleasure to work with Jith”.

By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe
Photographs by Nisal Baduge