Menaechmus Twins AN EPIC ‘B’ROMAN COMEDY

'The Menaechmus Twins' holds a special place in the hearts of those connected to S. Thomas' College Mt. Lavinia, not only because it marks a historic moment for the English Drama Society but also because it is the first production to grace the stage since the passing of Mr. Vinodh Senadheera, the long-time director and choir master of STC. 

The stage is set for a truly timeless performance, full of sudden twists, unexpected surprises, and lots of laughter in ‘The Menaechmus Twins’ performed by the cast and crew of the English Drama Society of S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia.  The English Drama Society of the School by the Sea, one of the country's oldest performing arts societies, has long been a source of inspiration for aspiring performers and writers. It has charmed audiences throughout the years with spectacular productions, compelling storytelling, and remarkable performances. This year, the society celebrates 151 years since its inception and the society puts on this production in lieu of this feat. 
Notably, the upcoming production 'The Menaechmus Twins' holds a special place in the hearts of those connected to S. Thomas' College Mt. Lavinia, not only because it marks a historic moment for the English Drama Society but also because it is the first production to grace the stage since the passing of Mr. Vinodh Senadheera, the long-time director and choir master of STC. Mr Senadheera had once deferred the staging of ‘The Menaechmus Twins’, opting to stage 'The Lord of the Flies' in 2018, with a promise to revisit the Roman comedy on a later day, one that is now being fulfilled.
Directed under the brilliance of Mr. Dylan Perera, a well-known thespian in Sri Lanka’s drama circle and Old Boy of the College, 'The Menaechmus Twins' promises to be a delightful blend of slapstick comedy and witty wordplay, ensuring a captivating theatrical experience that appeals to audiences of all ages and tastes.

THE PLAY

’The Menaechmus Twins’ is an adaptation of ‘Menaechmi’, which was written by ancient Roman playwright Plautus, whose works are the oldest literary pieces in Latin found to this day, dating back by nearly 2000 years in the past. Plautus’ plays dealt with everyday people and their lives, though that did not mean that his characters were ‘average’ in any way; his plays were full of strong personalities, from saucy courtesans, greedy libertines, and hormonal young men, to doddering geriatrics, mischievously crafty servants, and truly zany eccentrics: the perfect base for an enthralling comedy!   

THE CHARACTERS

Plautus’ comedy truly shined through his characters and their dialogue; full of wit and weight, they were written to be eye-catching and engaging to watch. The characters in this particular play are: our two protagonists, the Menaechmi (Kaveesh Kamalchandra & Sandeev Peter), the courtesan Erotium (Dan Peiris), the parasite Peniculus (Pramuk Gomez), Menaechmus of Epidamnus’ wife (Nevan Perera), the fat cook Cylindrus (Chanul Edirisinghe), Messenio, the slave (Akhil Skanthakumar), and the outlandish Doctor (Akein Hikkaduwa). 

THE PLOT

A set of identical twin boys - both named Menaechmus, both born in Syracuse. When one disappeared while both were children, the other, later in life, sets off on a quest with his trusty servant to search for and reunite with his long-lost brother. Meanwhile, the long-lost brother is raised in a home and city not his own: Epidamnus, in Greece. Taken in by a rich merchant, Menaechmus of Epidamnus lives in comfort – until his foster-father dies, leaving his foster-child alone and with an enormous inheritance. 
One day, Menaechmus of Syracuse finally visits Epidamnus, where he is accosted by strangers claiming they know him: chaos ensues.
From improbable situations to witty repartee, the thespians of S. Thomas’ College will bring pure entertainment to the stage, as endorsed by Plautus himself!

WHEN IS IT?

The play will be performed on the 27th and 28th of October at 7 PM at the College Main Hall of S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia. Tickets are priced at Rs.1000 & Rs. 1500 and are available at the Old Boys Association Secretariat, located within the College’s premises. Please contact 076 863 4925 for further information.

Quotes from the cast

“Plautus' delightful comedy has been copied by Shakespeare to Sondeheim, from Schwarzenegger and De Vito's Twins to Lindsay Lohan's Parent Trap.” 
- Dylan Perera 
(Director)

“Witty, funny and my type of humour’’ 
- Kaveesh 
Kamalchandra
 
“It’s nice to put a modern twist to a period play, and I love that it’s a comedy’’
- Sandeev Peter 
“Roman comedies are known for their clever wordplay, slapstick humour, and timeless themes that continue to resonate with modern audiences, which I feel like we’ve incorporated in our adaptation.’’ 
- Pramodh Fernando
“In the words of Asterix and Gaul – ‘These Romans are crazy’ ” 
- Nevan Perera