Seasoned stage, film and tele drama actor Palitha Silva who has made useful contributions to the local performing arts sphere is planning to present his newest stage play ‘Circus Karayo’ on July 31 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre in Colombo.

Palitha said despite his commitments in the ‘Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli’ tele drama and another children’s film, he was busy with the direction task of his latest stage play.

 

What’s Circus all about?

“This is a modern play woven around a circus team who are caught in a bomb explosion. It’s only an incident and has no relevance to any person, place or country. The story revolves around their experience. I play the main investigator while a young cast joins me in the other key roles. Among them are Kalana Gunasekara, Randima Dilini, Nilanga Perera, Nilantha Ganegoda and Tefan Diluk while Navaratne Gamage is in charge of the music and Ravibandu Vidyapathi the choreography. This is based on my own script.

 

Your role as a director?

Well, I have directed a few creations, but I have not gone to the extent of getting a lot of publicity. I directed a stage play called ‘Ballangen Pravesam Wenu’ in 1984 and it was selected for the final round of the youth drama festival and won awards. I also directed some children’s plays for schools. I directed dramas for Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya and S. Thomas’ College for their workshops in addition to an English play I directed for the British Council in 2004.  I have mingled with overseas directors and worked with German and British dramatists.  I have also followed a course on film direction.

 

Any plans to direct a film?

Yes, may be in the future. In 1998 I directed a tele film called ‘Amuththek Ewith’ which won an award. Two years later I did another one ‘Thrasthawadiyage Gathanaya’ for Swarnavahini. Today if a person can find someone to invest money for a production he becomes a director and it does not matter if he knows about direction or not.  

 

You were nominated for the best actor’s award recently?

Yes, but I did not get it. I guess it’s due to a personal grudge a panel member had against me. This is the second such incident. But I am unstoppable.

 

How important are awards for an actor?

I really can’t say how it impacts an actor. I have acted diverse characters in more than 400 tele dramas alone, but I have won only one award for best actor and one for a supporting role.

I have portrayed complex roles in creations directed by veterans like Dr. Lester James Peries, Vasantha Obsesekara, Tissa Abeysekara, Dharmasena Pathiraja and others including talented youngsters.

 

Your views about Mega tele dramas?

They are like floods that cannot be controlled. This virus started via Indian tele dramas and it has taken unfortunate turns today. But we had a good audience that appreciated good tele dramas made by us in the past.

 

Your Kusa Paba experience?

The role in the movie gave me a good change. I played Pabawathi’s father. The feedback was also good. I have played some memorable roles in tele dramas which were even appreciated by overseas filmmakers. With regard to stage plays, ‘Kaspa’ is indeed something I cherish. I am told that this drama is preserved in a German archive.

 

 

By Vasantha Wimalasinghe