‘Arundathie man manamalai’ at Lumbini: Sugath targets schoolchildren, pregnant mothers for his new drama

A still taken from a rehearsal done for the play ‘Arundathie man manamalai’

• Sugath believes this is a good era to be in drama producing because schoolchildren who are studying drama as a subject in school are showing a great interest to visit theatres
• The message the producer wants to convey to the public through the drama is for parents to understand the needs of their children better

Journalist, author and drama producer Sugath Shantha Moragahakumbura is all set to show his sixth stage drama titled “Arundathie man manamalai” at the Lumbini Theatre on October 7. 

Sugath believes this is a good era to be in drama producing because schoolchildren who are studying drama as a subject in school are showing a great interest to visit theatres, watch plays and learn. According to him schoolchildren will be entitled to a 20 percent reduction in their ticket price when they watch his latest drama.
The plot for his drama revolves around a boarding house where the facility is run by a dominant mother even though the dad is present in the house, but is rather helpless because of his alcoholic nature. The daughter in the house falls in love with a boarder, who is a member of the LGBT community, and before long the girl complaints that her lover is not skilled in the art of making love. As the drama unfolds there is a new entrant to the boarding- a tuition master- who is tasked with the duty of teaching the boy how to make love to a lady. Eventually the tuition master and the daughter fall in love and elope. The boy (role played by Roshan Jayasundare) states that he is ready to accept the daughter (the role played by Dilhara Jayasinghe) even if she comes back home after getting pregnant and giving birth to kids. The Dad’s response is that her wife must be lauded for finding a good customer at their boarding house because if there is a need there is a man willing to accept a lady who has lost her way in life after an affair.  The dad’s role is played by Kulasiri Mallikarachchi, the wife’s role by Rupa Gomes and the role of the tuition master is played by Nishan Sampath. Sugath in an interview with the Daily Mirror said that the message he wants to convey to the public through the drama is for parents to understand the needs of their children better in today’s society. The stage lighting is handled by Jinadasa Hengoda, music by Sameera Subasinghe and the songs for the drama were penned by Riseena Sameen.

He said that being a journalist first and foremost has helped him tell stories and convey strong messages to the public. He has used the stage at the theatre and newspapers for this task. Sugath is from Kothmale, but he has left out his village as a venue to showcase all his creative work because he believes that Kothmale is not receptive to creations associated with arts and culture. Hence he has stationed himself in Colombo for the past 32 years and worked in several newspapers: the mainstay being Nawaliya magazine where he rose to be Associate Editor. He has produced many other stage dramas like ‘Vilanguwa’, ‘Dharmishtala’ and ‘Minissu’; the latter which he produced as a 16-year-old schoolboy.

Tickets are priced at Rs 500 and 1000 and arrangements have been made to give free entrance to pregnant mothers on the day of the show. Shows are scheduled for 3.30 and 6.30 pm.
Asked why he chose Lumbini as the venue, Sugath said,” The hall rates at Lumbini are very reasonable and also there is a belief that Lumbini is a lucky theatre”.