He comes from Jaffna - flash back to Ceylon in 1908 with non stop laughter
Reviewed by Imtiaz Issadeen 

http://www.island.lk/2005/12/11/features10.html

 

In the world of the Theatre there are many plays that have withstood the test of time and have been staged many times over. The Importance of Being Earnest, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Lady Windermere’s Fan, La Sainte Courtisane, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Julius Caesar and many more come to mind.

 

Amongst the plays by a Sri Lankan playwright, E. F. C. Ludowyk’s He Comes From Jaffna stands out as one that has been a perennial favourite since it first went on stage in 1934. Staged on numerous occasions it last ran in 1991 in Sri Lanka with one of the play’s greatest fans, the Late President Premadasa in attendance.

Sydney Theatre goers and for that matter fellow theatre lovers in Canberra and Melbourne are fortunate to be able to see this play staged in Australia with an all Sri Lankan cast of the highest calibre.

 

The premier night of this masterpiece, staged at the Lighthouse Theatre at Macquarie University in Sydney was a sell out event with the clamor for tickets being heard all the way to the very moment the play commenced.

The story is too well known to be repeated here. Veteran actor and comedian Gandhi MacIntyre plays the very man from Jaffna, with the proper accent and a true to life image of the Yalpannam man. His role is crucial to the success of this play and Gandhi carries it well. The emotions, the changing voice, the shuffle and the inebriated gait - all portrayed in superb style with an air of confidence gained from many score years of stage and screen

Sunil de Silva who played the role of Cleveland Rajaratnam in the 1991 production, was once again cast in the same role. Sunil is unique amongst all the actors who are in the Sydney Kolam Maduwa’s production; he has played, in his younger days of course, the roles of both the two young cousins, and then gracefully moved into the role of Rajaratnam the Elder as he too matured. A natural transition much like a son stepping into his father’s shoes. Sunil’s portrayal of the rich and kind landlord, hobnobbing in the upper echelons of Colombo society with his young and attractive wife, is that of one who has grown into this role.

 

Sidat de Silva, Sunil’s son in real life, plays the part of Aru, the errant son of the man from Jaffna. Living a life of misery and deceit in Colombo, he is in trouble with the Afghan loan sharks. To his father, he has reported that he is an up and coming Advocate and has ample clients and a solid weekly income. Sidat is very much involved in theatre in Sydney and is finishing a full time course in TV and film.

 

Rhenu Hulugalle who is cast as Marion the second wife of Cleveland is a busy society lady involved in the usual bazaars, charity collections and church activities. She is also of a very romantic nature and has carefully kept all the love letters she received from Cleveland when in England. Marion’s love for the Merry Widow has the man from Jaffna confused.

 

Hector Fernando a friend of Cleveland’s from their days at the Academy (Royal College) and a trader by profession is the father of Kamini who is being courted by Raju the son of Cleveland. Hector is played by Rex Olegasegarem who has been on stage from his college days at St. John’s Jaffna.

Kamini Fernando, the daughter of Hector is also involved in community work and is working with Marion to raise money for a home for the incurables. Priyanka Thevarajah is Kamini and she brings in youth and vitality into the play.

Rajith Mendis is Raju, the son of Cleveland by his first marriage. The appu - Martin, replete with a Charlie Chaplin moustache is beautifully played by Jayantha Ratnayake. Jayantha’s performance is superb. Weerasena Ranahewa, well know as a TV host, plays the shoe making tenant of Cleveland, and he is in true voice in the play with a few old bailas.

 

Costumes were brilliant and the design and tailoring were spearheaded by Ashra Ponnasamy.

Even if you have seen this play before, you should not miss this staging. Ernest and the Sydney Kolam Maduwa bring out the best in the script and the actors. Surely E.F.C. Ludowyk would have enjoyed this production and given his stamp of approval.

Ozlanka