Await Stormy Weather! This novel murder thriller, presented by Centre Stage Productions, is set to take Colombo by storm from September 10 to 13 at the Punchi Theatre. The play is written and directed by the renowned dramatist Jehan Aloysius, and features both live action as well as filmed scenes.

This unique production is to be presented as a black and white movie, set in the late 1940s world of film noir. The plot revolves around the shocking murder of Noel Richards and the subsequent investigation by a rather unorthodox and nameless inspector.

The overall mood, production design and acting style of the production is inspired by the film noir or ‘dark cinema’ thrillers of the 1940s and 1950s, as the original play was written to a non-linier cinematic narrative style. Thus, Stormy Weather is bound to be a bold and unique theatre experience for those who enjoy cutting-edge theatre.

The experienced cast includes English theatre personalities such as Shanuki de Alwis, Dilrukshi Fonseka, Michelle Herft, Mario de Soyza, Amesh de Silva and Zahabiya Adamaly. The costumes are stitched by Hilma Salahudeen, while Video Image is the official film partner handling cinematography. Channel 1 MTV and YES FM are the electronic media partners.

So prepare yourself for Stormy Weather from September 10 to 13 at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre. The box office opens at the theatre from August 7. Seating will be limited to just 200 seats per night, so call 2672121 and purchase your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Colombo Colombo, the ‘tragi-comic’ musical play and experimental theatre endeavour directed by Indika Ferdinando, will go on boards at the Lionel Wendt Theatre this evening, and promises to give theatre goers a performance to remember.

The play is based on four incidents set in four different locations and involves four couples who according to Ferdinando portray the ugly underbelly of Colombo.

At the root of the four events the audience will realise the underlying socio-political and ethical influences that in the end determine the unhappy predicament of these couples.

Colombo Colombo looks critically at some of the influences that transform human relationships. Leading them into conflict with social and political systems that constantly infiltrate and ultimately influence their lives.

But it is the actual performance that audiences will find, outplays the script. Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Indika Ferdinando, winner of State Awards and Youth Awards for his work in theatre productions (including the award for Best Upcoming Director at the State Drama Festival in 2000, for Janadhipathi Thaththa), stated that while Sinhala theatre has a long way to go, he hopes to provide audiences with something different, something fresh, a little more than the usual dull dialogue and in the process discover the magic that is theatre.

Ferdinando said, "In theatre it’s the experience that counts. I see too much of sitting around and dull boring dialogue. With Colombo Colombo, I hope to bring something new to Sri Lankan theatre, to bring life to the stage."

And life he brings. Though a Sinhala play, Colombo Colombo manages to break the boundaries of language and speaks the language of emotion through the sheer versatility of its actors.

It is as creative as it is serious and funny as it is heartbreaking all the while being fast-paced and bursting with energy and colour, taking the audience from the lush greenery of Vihara Maha Devi Park where innocence is lost to the dark gloom of a mortuary. And there’s never a dull moment in between.

The cast comprises of veteran actor Saumya Liyanage, energetic Anasuya Subasinghe, fresh faced Jagath Chamila as well as other well known actors like Atula Jayasinghe, Sarath Karunaratne, Upul Weerasinghe, Thilanka Gamage and Nadika Somathilake who with guitars in hand also juggle the roles of singer, musician and dancer.

Colombo Colombo also brings together a talented production crew including set designer Pradeep Chandrasiri who has won the State Drama Award for Set Design for several consecutive years, as well as Thushan Dias as Lighting Designer, backed by many years of experience and a range of productions to his credit in both the Sinhala and English stage. His lighting design includes Workshop Players’ Productions of Les Miserables and Lion King, Jehan Aloysius’ Ritual and Pyramus and Thisby and Steve de la Zilva’s Equus. Colombo Colombo is a Theatre Plus production.

Stage Set and Costume Design: Pradeep Chandrasiri

Music: Theja Buddhika Rodrigo (Misha)

Choreography: Manubandu Vidyapathy

Make-up: Jagath Padmasiri

Lighting Design: Thushan Dias

Stage Management: Kosala Thotawatte

Stage Management Assistance: Himali Thakshala, Disna Dilantha

Lyrics: Piyal Kariyawasam

Media Coordination: Gaya Nagahawatta

Script and Direction: Indika Ferdinando

Yashan, Sri Lanka’s hip-hop sensation is gearing up to release his second album shortly. After making a name for himself in the country’s hyper-competitive music industry as a brilliant musician, producer and entertainer Yashan has been featured on five number-one hit singles with well-known Sri Lankan artists. His first album, released last December is still popular among music buffs.

He said, "In my first album I didn’t take too many risks because I was new to the scene. But now from all the experience, which I’ve gathered, I’ve made my music more advanced and higher in quality," adding "I am hoping to make this album more creative, advanced and dramatic with rich lyrics, smooth music and more themes, so it’s going be me setting up a theatre in your mind."

He intends to release a few singles from the album soon and describes them as ‘purely Sri Lankan.’

He also runs a production house Hot Music Records producing both audio and video material for new artists. He said, "I am planning to release a compilation album for them at the end of this year with M Entertainment. This is going to be a big opportunity for all upcoming artists to break into the mainstream music industry in Sri Lanka and I am making my fans happy by making good music. So I just keep doing what I am doing."