A magnanimous dose of anguish ~ review of "Dahas Ganan Wendambuwo", Sinhala adapation of "Widows" [ No spoiler alert] (c) Anupama Madhubhashinie

After the much-relished rendition of "Blood Wedding" by the Academic Players, I decided to heed sight of their Sinhala adaptation of Ariel Dorfman's "Widows", titled, "Dahas Ganan Wendabuwo" (which in Sinhalese means, Thousands of Widows) Since I was told that the translation was courtesy one of my favorite Lecturers, Mr. Lakshman Fernando, I was very optimistic about the script even before I witnessed the performance. 

The set was very simple yet appropriately put up. I believe the actors were chosen very cleverly, and were directed with clarity by Sanjeewa Gunaratne. Except for a very few instances,comparing to Blood Wedding, the execution of dialogue was clear and poignant, and suitable to the original tone of Dorfman’s workmanship. There was an occurrence or two where I personally felt the play dragged for too long. However I assume it was derived from the distressed and depressing mood that enveloped the play, which made it less ‘entertaining’ and more ‘informative’. It, I believe, was the motive of the production after all.  

My student became quite upset about the mournful plot, and being a vivaciously constant-positivist, left me to watch the play by myself halfway down the show. I intended to stay on course especially due to the powerful acting of the protagonist and main supporting roles, knowing it’ll be worth it in the end. And it truly was. :)

Chaturi Dayanika stole the show by her dynamic performance as the anticipating, elderly, Sophia Fuentes. Her execution of dialogue was equally strong as her action. She very easily earned the loudest applause by the audience in the end.
 I liked the puissant personality of the Captain depicted by Lenin Priyanta Liyanage. [Yeap, I know. And yeah that’s his real name. Communist connotations much, eh? ;)] However, many members of the audience had thoughts on the contrary as well.
Malindra Jayawardane killed it, by portraying an apt reflection of the sly, opportunistic soldier.
My favorite male acting performance award (hypothetically speaking of course!) goes to Asanka Gurusinghe, for his quirky yet sensitive guise of Emmanuel. His sturdy performance brought equal amounts of joy, and empathy towards the showcased troubled youth.
Lakmal Dayaratne did justice to his minor yet extremely poignant role as well.
Lakshika Jayakodi nailed it by his personification of a worn-out, lost soul, Alonso, returned from a mysterious torment to which only his role can testify. Alonso didn’t have a single dialogue in the play, but had the biggest emotional impact during his characterization. 

The women obviously made the play their own by their spontaneous yet illustrative performances. Chandima Karunadasa, as the antagonistic [very typically ;)] Alexandra [ What’s with her and the A’s? haha ], Ushani Prasangika as the determined yet submissive Phidelia, and the contemptuous Yanina who during the latter part becomes remorsefully enlightened,illustrated by Thilini Ruwandika, were all guised well by the Player-girls respectively.
The rest of the women enforced their roles with equal substance.  

The soundtrack wasn’t original, but most probably next time the Players should engage originality there as required, in order to a higher level of authenticity in the production. I personally reckon the lighting could’ve been managed better; specially during the monologues of the Captain and the emotional rendition of Emmanuel and his lady. Emotions could’ve been evoked a bit more and the fluctuating moods of the performances could’ve been addressed more as a result of specificity in lighting.

As a relative translation though, the script worked wonders. There were equal stances given to elaborate classical language as well as the colloquial [with an ample amount of slang; which was entertaining], of Sinhala. We in the academic sphere knew it was a “typical-Lakshman-sir-script” - phrase there directly translated!

I doubt that a crowd looking for pure entertainment would enjoy the play, as said before, due to its rueful narrative. As an adaptation of a world-renown classic though, it was a just specimen. Once again, keep playing, Players!

Ps: Await the Academic Players’ next production – just a hint- it’s Shakespearean! J
And don’t miss the next University of Kelaniya drama fest! Stay blessed!