‘Back to Stage’ a celebration of 150 years of Bishop’s College this year and 175 years of S. Thomas’ College (to be celebrated in 2026)  will go on the boards at the Bishop’s College Auditorium on May 17th and 18th. One of its objectives therefore is to foster the rich heritage of both these institutions that share the same founder, Dr. James Chapman, the first Anglican Bishop of Sri Lanka.   

The programme will feature performances by the Revelations, Gananath Dasanayaka on Saxophone and vocals as well as a few Thomian musicians comprising singers Jerome Spelderwinde, Joel Fernando and Manith Fernando, bassist Dulip Gnanakan, trumpet player Prashan Bastiansz, percussionist Jehan Kumara and drummer Birendra Siriwardhana brought together for this event by Aruna Siriwardhana. They will be joined by Bishopian’s Shyama Perera on Keyboards and Gayathri Fernando on vocals for some items of the performance.  

It is directed by Nafeesa K. Amiruddeen, and Shadwell Weerasinghe assisted by Shyama Perera and vocal direction by Sanjeev Jayaratnam. Presented by the PPA of Bishop’s College and the OBA of S. Thoamas’ College tickets can be obtained from the Bishop’s College auditorium office. We had a chat with the two Co-Chairs of the Joint Organising Committee Sonali Dias and Rukshan Kuru-Utumpala.

Sonali Dias

Can you briefly describe the production? What’s its name and when and where will it be held? 
The production is scheduled to be held on the 17th and 18th of May 2024, at the Bishop’s College Auditorium.

What are some of the highlights of it? 
The highlights would be our performers from both schools as well as members of the alumni.

Who are the main musicians, singers etc who are taking part in it?
Junior choirs and singers from Bishop’s College and S.Thomas’, as well as singers, actors and drama performances from members of our alumni.

What is the purpose/objective of having a production of this nature?
The purpose is to share the rich heritage of our shared legacy in music, song and drama. Bringing together the talents of young and old on stage.

Who are the main people involved in it? 
The production team consists of members from the alumni and Executive Committee of the BCPPA.

What is your role in the production and what does it mean to you? 
I am honoured to Co-Chair this production from Bishop’s College.

How does this production differ from other similar productions you have had in the past?

It’s a different concept of “Back to school “ put together by one of the directors Shadwell Weerasinghe.

What will the proceeds of the production be used for? 
The 150 years of Bishop’s College and the publication of a coffee table book.

Anything else you would like to say about it?
This is a unique opportunity to come and showcase one’s talent sharing the stage with other popular musicians from
their respective alumni. Foster friendships and giving back to your alma mater. 

Rukshan Kuru-Utumpala

Can you briefly describe the production? What’s its name and when and where will it be held?

Back to Stage will be staged on Friday 17 th and Saturday 18 th of May at the Bishop’s College Auditorium. This has
been jointly organised and produced by the Bishop’s College PPA and the S. Thomas’ College OBA.

Sonali Dias from the BC PPA reached out to the STC ML OBA about a year ago to see how we could collaborate and do a joint theatrical production like the previous one, Divorce Me Darling which was produced by the BC PPA and STCML OBA a few years ago. A joint organizing committee was then put in place and after much debate and brainstorming as to what type of event we should do, Back to Stage was conceptualised and put forward by Shaddy (Shadwell Weerasinghe). We liked it and agreed to move forward with it as this was a performance that would help bring together a wider fraternity of Bishopians and Thomians and provide a stage (both literally and metaphorically) for them to showcase their talents in music, dance and drama. Current students and alumni of both schools could perform together and the alumni could re-live their school-day performances with nostalgia by coming ‘Back to Stage’.

What are some of the highlights of it?

Both schools have a legacy of a choral tradition with regular training of vocal talent helps maintain a very high standard. In addition, the dram-socs of both schools have been known to put out high-quality productions. This also means that there are a lot of alumni from both schools who have received a good grounding and training in the performance arts and some have even taken it to greater heights professionally. During the show, the audience will get to see not just fabulous
performances from vocal and music groups and solos from students but also combinations like Father-son, father-
daughter, brother-sister and even a daughter-son-father- uncle collaboration.

Who are the main musicians, singers etc who are taking part in it?

From the students' side, we will have the BC Middle School Choir, a Bishopian dance Troup, the Thomian Brass Ensemble and Canto Perpetua to name a few.

In addition, the programme will also feature performances by renowned musical acts like ‘The Revelations’ World Champion, male voice ensemble, Dr Gananath Dasanayaka on Saxophone and vocals as well as a few Thomian musicians comprising singers Jerome Spelderwinde, Joel Fernando and Manith Fernanado, bassist Dulip Gnanakan, trumpet player Prashan Bastiansz, ⁠percussionist Jehan Kumara and drummer Birendra Siriwardhana who have been brought together very specially for this event by ⁠Aruna Siriwardhana. They will also be joined by Bishopians Shyama Perera on Keyboards and Gayathri Fernando on vocals for some items of the performance.

What is the purpose/objective of having a production of this nature?
‘Back to Stage’; is also a celebration of 150 years of Bishop’s College this year and the 175 years of S. Thomas’; College (to be celebrated in 2026). One of its key objectives therefore is to foster the rich heritage of both these institutions that share the same founder, Dr. James Chapman, the first Anglican Bishop in Sri Lanka.

Who are the main people involved in it?

Directed by Nafeesa K. Amiruddeen, Shadwell Weerasinghe and assisted by Shyama Perera with vocal direction by Sanjeev Jayaratnam, this carefully curated lineup looks promising to provide an enchanting evening of quality entertainment. Akhry Ameer has also come on board to be the Stage Manager and ensure the programme proceeds smoothly like clockwork. This is a fantastic high-powered team that brings in a wealth of experience from the many other productions and performances they’ve been involved in and we are truly grateful to them for coming on board and supporting us to ensure we put on a great show.

What is your role in the production and what does it mean to you?

I’ve been tasked with co-chairing the joint organizing committee together with Sonali Dias. As with any group or team that is formed for a specific activity we’ve had many challenges, differences of opinion, disagreements and some stressful moments, but that’s all been in order to get what’s best out for the show. We have a fantastic team that pulls each other up when required and joins together when the need arises and functions with a common goal and purpose. Any tense moment is addressed quickly and diffused with some hilarious banter that leaves us all reeling. Overall, It’s been a most rewarding experience and enjoyable journey working with like-minded people who have the show and their school at heart.

How does this production differ from other similar productions you have had in the past?

Our previous joint productions have mostly been theatrical ones. When I was in school, I was part of South Pacific which was a musical that was produced by both schools at the time. It is nice to have a few from the South Pacific crew also working with us on Back to Stage.

What will the proceeds of the production be used for?

All proceeds from the event will be channelled towards promoting and supporting the development of music and drama in both schools.

Anything else you would like to say about it?

It’s been a most enjoyable journey, working with the Bisohop’s College PPA team on this and the camaraderie and dynamics that exist between them and us, the S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia OBA, is truly amazing and really rings true the accepted moniker as sister/brother schools. Organising a joint production like this also makes one realise the importance of the shared set of values, character and integrity these two institutions were founded upon and how it keeps permeating down to the next generations to come.

All in all, this joint committee has been working tirelessly to ensure we put on a most enjoyable and entertaining show. We hope to see you there.

By Kshalini Nonis