Just how often do you think about the Roman empire? Julius Caesar – The Musical is hitting the Wendt this October and as rumour has it - Colombo is in for a show! Our journalist Panchali  Illankoon sat down with Nana Jeraine and Dishan Muneswaran from the theatre company behind the anticipated show, StageFright&Panic to find out more about the play.

 Nana :  First let me tell you something about myself. I am Nana Jeraine, the Artistic Director of this play. 

Dishan : I am Dishan Muneswaran,the Producer.

Nana : My dear girl, before we delve into such mighty and lofty matters, is it not  pertinent that you introduce your reader to your interviewee?

 Nana :  That maybe all they need to know, but there is much they don’t know. Who is this Nana? What does he bring to the table? Or in this case the stage. For without a complete knowledge of who I am, how will they judge my work?

 Nana :  I’m a lover, I’m a sinner, I’m a saint

 Nana :  I am a song, a poem, an ode, a prose

 Nana :  This play called “Julius Caesar – The Musical” is about Julius Caesar

Dishan : I think that muchwas obvious

 Nana :  Have you ever 

seen Julius Caesar as a Musical 

in Colombo?

Dishan : That is a good question. Yes, it is partly based on Shakespeare, partly based on History.

 Nana :  And partly based 

on brilliant insights into Rome by 

yours truly.

 Nana :  The script is as original as an original thing made by someone who only makes original things.

 Nana :  Who?

 Nana :  I too have heard rumours like this, spread no doubt by this very person Feroze Kamardeen, just to take the luster away from my glorious hour. I have one message and one message only to this Feroze person, whoever he is. I dare you to stand in front of me and claim credit for my creativity.

 Nana :  I can assure you he and I will never even be in the same room together.

 Nana :  What about him?

 Nana :  Ahh, now I see where this confusion has arisen. Dishan, my trusted friend and Producer would you care to explain what is going on?

Dishan : Basically, when we announced that we were doing Julius Caesar – The Musical, Kalakeerthi Jerome de Silva called us and requested us to take some of his proteges under our wing, so we called up The Workshop Players and StageLight&Magic and told them to come and learn from us. This play, in addition to providing the finest entertainment to the audience, is also a training ground where we are producing some of Sri Lanka’s finest thespians.

 Nana :  Not just on stage, but in terms of Artistic Direction I have taken young Surein de S. Wijeyaratne under my wing to personally train him, as I have also done for Ayushka Nugaliyadda who is a very promising choreographer and Nishantha Warnakulasuriya who, under my direct tutelage, has become a fine vocal director.  See my dear, all these people have amazing talents and skill, they just needed me to come along and hone it, sharpen it, make it useful. I am glad I could do this for all these fine people. As I always say “talent is nothing without purpose”.  

Dishan : I have also taken the entire production team of the Workshop players and  StageLight&Magic including Ashan Munasinghe to teach them the basics of successful theatre production, because like Nana, I am kind of the best at what I do.

 Nana :  Thank you for the compliment though I am not entirely sure about you being as good as me, 

but it’s ok.

Dishan : It is a musical version of Shakespeare’s play with new insights, new characters and a whole bunch of hitherto unrevealed facts. It goes on the boards of the Lionel Wendt from 5th – 8th of October. Box plan and tickets at the Wendt.

Stagefright&Panic Inc Presents “Julius Caesar – The Musical” 5th – 8th of October, Lionel Wendt Theatre. Written by Feroze Kamardeen. Directed by Surein de S. Wijeyaratne, Music Direction by Nishantha Warnakulasuriya and Choreography by Ayushka Nugaliyadda. A Collaboration between The Workshop Players of Colombo and StageLight&Magic Inc. Box plan and Tickets now available at the Wendt.