Sri Lankans love politics and the “Puswedilla” series of plays have gone down very well with the audience.  People came to laugh and be entertained and the topical themes caught the attention of the spectators at “Waters’ Edge” on Sunday, 14th September 2014 at the dinner theatre. The show was in aid of “The Thomian Society of Colombo” to help develop S.Thomas’ College at Mount Lavinia, Gurutelawa, Bandarawela and the Preparatory School at Kollupitiya. Reality shows are in fashion and director of “Puswedilla”  Feroze Kamardeen used the theme to present a stage competition with the winner being elected to Parliament and a Cabinet Ministry Portfolio.

Gehan Blok acted as the foreign “Western Thinking” and presented the show.  The popular Secretary to the President Chaminda Puswedilla and who was titled “Nitharama Suffering” (‘Always Suffering’) played his role, raising laughs as he spoke in fear and trembling to his boss ‘Puswedilla’. Dominic Keller acted his role of Chaminda Puswedilla with panache, talking to world leaders and offering suggestions to help resolve global issues such as the Israeli-Palestine conflict.  There was a play on words with the Israeli Prime Minister’s name ‘Nethanyahu’ with the Sinhala words to dance.

However, to those who have followed the “Puswedilla” series, the novelty is no longer there.  But the situations were funny with the contenders acting as a thug, a baila singer et al.  “Puswedilla” was the judge and finally he chose his cousin Malinga Puswedilla who did not even take part, showing the partisanship rampant in “Arsickland”

Some of the spectators who sat far away from the stage missed hearing all the words.  The show was followed by dinner and the service was slow although the food was good.

Comments from the audience

‘The show was good.  Only thing is that I didn’t hear it all as we were far from the stage.” - Malkanthi Perera

“I enjoyed the show very much.” - Pearl Wettasinghe 

“The show was excellent and great fun.” - Indika de Saram

“The play was hilarious as always.” - Menaka Galgamuwa

“It was a lovely evening and a great show.” - Malaika Gunawansa

“It was awesome. I had a great time.” - Isuru Somaratne

“It was good but the show was too long.” - Dushy Ranetunga

“It was a good show.” - Nirmala Hapugoda

“It was very enjoyable and I look forward to the next show.” - Malgini Ratnayake

“It was really entertaining and covered some of the global events.  We keep voting for Puswedilla.” - Mokshana Wijeyeratna

“It was absolutely a success and a very relaxing evening.  I am happy to end the week with so much laughter.” - Hemanthi Wanigasekera

Reviewed by Sirohmi Gunesekera
Photos of audience by Kushan Pathiraja