The storm breaks this week!

Writer/Director Jehan Aloysius claims he’s in the midst of murder and conspiracy these days! His neighbours have reportedly heard very suspicious screams and scuffles from his apartment, while others have even witnessed enraged actors brandishing carving knifes. Aloysius confesses that all these suspicious activities are due to rehearsals for his much awaited play, Stormy Weather, which takes Colombo by storm this month from the 10^th to the 13^th at the Punchi Theatre, Borella.

Stormy Weather is a novel murder thriller, presented by CentreStage Productions, and features both live action as well as filmed scenes. Written and directed by Jehan Aloysius, this unique production is to be presented as a black and white movie, set in the early 1950s world of film noir. The cast has now completed shooting at the locations for the film scenes, which have been edited over the last few weeks by Video Image and Jehan.

The producers inform us that the newly refurbished Punchi Theatre, where the show premieres, now boasts a silver screen, surround-sound system as well as tiered seating, making it the perfect venue. Indeed, Stormy Weather is bound to be a bold and unique theatre experience for those who enjoy cutting-edge theatre.

The plot revolves around the shocking murder of Noel Richards and the subsequent investigation by a rather unorthodox and nameless inspector. The show plays on stereotypes of the film noir genre, through characters, scenes and mood, while also including a generous dose of suspense, mystery and occasional horror. It’s worth noting that the play was included in Jehan’s collection of plays titled The Screaming Mind, which was shortlisted for the Gratiaen Prize for literature in 2000, and has also been studied by university students.

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

Don’t miss the compelling Stormy Weather from September 10 - 13 at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre. The box office is now open at the theatre. Seating at the newly refurbished theatre will be limited to under 200 seats per night, so purchase your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Last year, when a friend told me that The Wire was the greatest American television series, I scoffed. What about The Sopranos? The Simpsons? Seinfeld? Then I decided to watch the first season, and realised that my friend was wrong. The Wire is not just the greatest TV series, but one of the greatest American works of art in any medium. Created by former crime reporter David Simon, the show is about drug dealers, longshoremen, policemen, teachers, politicians, and journalists in the city of Baltimore, which is about an hour’s drive north of Washington, D.C.

Although it was one of the country’s wealthiest cities in the 19th century, de-industrialisation and white flight in the 1970s reduced Baltimore to a shell of its former grandeur. With a shockingly high murder rate, crumbling infrastructure, pervasive corruption, and ubiquitous drug use, it’s more third world than first world — more Johannesburg than New York. Politicians steal, cheat, and lie to stay in office. Teenagers peddle heroin and crack on street corners. Policemen harass and intimidate the people they’re supposed to protect (sound familiar?).

Yet The Wire doesn’t divide people into heroes and villains, and it’s more interested in understanding Baltimore than condemning it. Most of the main characters are sympathetic, but are trapped in institutions — the police force, the government, a drug gang — that frustrate their best intentions. The series shows how these institutions operate according to their own structural logic, proving stubbornly resistant to change. Time after time, an idealistic character attempts to challenge the system and ends up disillusioned or dead. The show’s tagline could be "Plus ça change...".

Each 12-episode season focuses on a different institution. The first season probes the inner workings of a drug cartel, the second centers on the city’s ports, the third follows a politician’s run for office, the fourth examines the dysfunctional school system, and the fifth looks into the local newspapers.

The Wire’s narratives each take up a full season, giving the show novelistic breadth. We’re introduced to the characters slowly, and, just when we have them figured out, they surprise us by doing the unexpected. Fortunately, the most memorable characters — McNulty, the alcoholic detective, Omar, the renegade thief, Clay, the gleefully crooked state senator — return every season, and after 60 hours of their company we know them as well as we do Anna Karenina or Leopold Bloom.

Although few people outside of America have heard of it, The Wire is one of the best introductions to my country. It shows the dark, dank underside of the American dream, the side you won’t often see at the cinema or in fashion magazines. In their own attempts at economic recovery, Sri Lankans might be able to learn from Baltimore’s example.

Clarence unplugged with Marians

Following the success of the first ever unplugged concert featuring the music of the late legend Clarence Wijewardene — Clarence Unplugged With Nalin And The Marians in May last year yet another show would come alive on Sunday, September 13 at the BMICH starting from 7pm.

From the start to the end the audience would be entertained with a unique presentation totally unplugged by the Marians while more than 30 popular hits of Clarence would be sung according to Damayantha Kuruppu of DK Promotions.

"All popular hits of Clarence from Meniyane to Gamen Liyumak, Malata Bambarekuse, Sandak Besagiya etc; would be sung at the concert as there is a great demand for the legend’s songs following last year’s unplugged show," Damayantha told The Sunday Leader.

St. Theresa’s Church Kelaniya in association with DK Promotions would present the show and the proceeds will be in aid of the church development fund.

DK Promotions presented the first ever Clarence Unplugged With Marians in May last year which was a sell-out and request all Clarence’s fans to be present on the 13th to make the event a success.

This is an event where the entire family could enjoy a few hours of solid entertainment to listen to the golden oldies of the legend Clarence Wijewardene by the Marians with versatile Nalin Perera.

DK Promotions is also planning to release the DVD recording of the first Clarence Unplugged show to coincide with the second show.

Tickets are available at Torana Liberty Plaza and Majestic City.