Meet the cast of Les Miserablés!
With Asia’s first amateur production of Les Miserablés coming to theatres on October 1, it’s time to meet the cast. Here’s what they had to say about their character and what it’s like to play the role.
Cossette : Shenali Pilapitiya and Vinuri Weerawardena
What is it like to play her through the years?
Vinuri : She’s not really significant narrative wise but the emotions she creates has a domino effect. In the latter stages, we have to portray how she becomes very confused with her emotions triggered by Marius and we have to bring out the frustration she feels towards Valjean as well as the frustration she feels towards herself. It’s easy to play her because that anger and confusion is there throughout the whole play.
Do you feel like you can relate to her?
Shenali : A year ago, if someone said I’ll be playing her I would have been like ‘ugh’. But now I can see myself in her. The transformation she goes through, where she’s thinking and questioning herself is very similar.
Enjolras : Eshan Thilakasena, Ruwanka Liyanage and Anoj Wijayaratne
Who is he?
Eshan : Well, he is someone who’s driven and doesn't not compromise. He does understand the barriers; he’s just not interested in the usual things that interest students of his age. Even though he is the leader of the students, he is not the only reason they fight, they themselves want to be there, he just makes sure that they are encouraged enough to fight.
Are there any redeeming qualities about him?
Ruwanka : Well, people wouldn't have followed him to their deaths if they didn't believe in him and love him for the leadership, character, and strength of will he possessed. He was a leader everyone acknowledged and revered. His flaw would be that he was too optimistic about the rest of the common people joining in their fight which ultimately led to the barricade being overrun and everyone's deaths. He was highly intelligent yet young and inexperienced.
Is it any fun to play his character?
Anoj : It's an absolute thrill playing the character. So much adrenaline. I was looking forward to playing him. Actually the thing is, he’s so well disciplined you don’t really need to act as such. You just have to be very powerful and serious.
Eponine : Shala Amarasuriya, Vithma Kumarage, Amandhi Caldera and Amanda Martinez
Do you think Eponine is a character that’s just misunderstood a lot? What should the audience look out for when she’s onstage?
Shala : Marius is one person who never realises how Eponine feels about him, mainly because she tries to be subtle about it and isn't quite sure how to convey the message to him. Also, as she grew older her relationship with her parents wasn't great. Eponine has had a hard life which has toughened her character over the years. She's a strong minded confident young girl. However, when she realises her love for Marius, in a way it softens her and unexpectedly brings out a sensitive side that even she doesn't fully understand and is unfamiliar with.
With 4 different people playing Eponine, is it stressful to keep the character constant while bringing your own style into it?
Vithma : It is indeed stressful to be able to keep the character constant and especially since it is my first time acting in such a play! To be honest I was extremely nervous at the beginning but being a part of such a huge cast who teaches you everything from scarp helps a lot!! However, everyone encourages us to bring out our own style to create diversity among each and every character and I think all of us have done exactly that perfectly!
How challenging is Eponine’s role vocally? Are there any vocal variations from the start of the play towards the end?
Amandi : Eponine is a very strong character and therefore at no point can she sound "sweet". It's important that I maintain a lot of intensity in my voice. The song "On my own" is particularly challenging because its tempo is rather fast and as a result getting the words across to the audience becomes tricky. The final song that Eponine sings is when she is about to die. Since she is terribly injured at this point, she needs to be gasping for breath and in absolute pain during her song.
Eponine undergoes an extreme transformation in her character – from cruel to somewhat compassionate. How do you handle that transformation?
Amanda : I don't think Eponine is cruel - just that she had a rough upbringing; with a low life crook for a father and a foul mouthed mother, what can you expect ?! So she had to be tough in order to defend herself but she is definitely not cruel. Her transition begins when she befriends Marius who is probably the first 'gentleman' she has met, having been around thugs and crooks all her life. The character progression is quite clear in the play. After meeting Marius we see her showing emotion and vulnerability as the show progresses. As Eponine, I try to portray this transition in the tone of her voice, her expressions and even her posture.
Interviewed by Panchali Illankoon
Photographs by Indraratna Balasuriya
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