theatre Y is proud to announce that we have been invited by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) to perform our path breaking and critically acclaimed play –' realitY' in – “EXPRESSIONS – the Rhythm of Life” – an evening of entertainment organized to celebrate International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2008 in Colombo, SriLanka on the 10th of December 2008.
International Volunteer Day (IVD) Celebrations 2008 is coordinated by the United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV). December 5th was proclaimed as International Volunteer Day (IVD) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. This event, celebrated annually and globally, brings together national and international volunteers from all walks of life.
This year, the UNV programme is collaborating with other Volunteer-involving agencies in Sri Lanka to present an evening of “Expressions – the Rhythm of Life”. The program will focus on volunteers; their contribution and efforts to make this world a better place; expressions on realities of the present world; and will bring together local volunteer networks, civil society organizations, business community and government to raise awareness on the concept of volunteerism and stimulate thinking on collective ways of overcoming challenges for increased voluntary action and engagement in development and peace building.
theatre Y will be doing extracts from ‘realitY’ and will be collaborating with Ravibandu Vidyapathi – a legendary percussionist from Sri Lanka and his troupe for the finale of the evening. The musical piece is called ‘Okri Jam’ and is conceptualized by Yog Japee and will be performed by Ravibandu Vidyapathi, his troupe and Aditi Gopinathan of theatre Y. ‘Okri Jam’ – extracts from poems written by noted African poet, Ben Okri will be composed into a song set in five ragas in Carnatic style accompanied by percussion improvisations and collaboration with Sri Lankan folk music and singers.
theatre Y is also scheduled to do a full show of ‘realitY’ in association with and for the Rotary Club on the 8th of December, in celebration of IVD. Their schedule includes a theatre workshop for the volunteer organizations under the Rotary Club of Colombo.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers which provided a unique opportunity to showcase the achievements of the millions of volunteers worldwide who devote some time of their lives to serving others, and to encourage more people globally to engage in volunteer activity.
About realitY:
A man confesses that he has ‘stamped out’ countless ‘Hidden Fires’—human lives that are less than human to him, and then finds himself on the receiving end of the same ruthless treatment. A woman anchoring a television programme called ‘Know the Truth’; smiles her way dismissively through a stream of panic-stricken phone calls from viewers reporting violence in their neighbourhoods, refusing to admit that the Government can be wrong in its insistence that the situation is under control. The woman in ‘Points’ uses the fragile flame of a candle to make important points about nationalism, patriotism and more. In ‘Invocation’, the names of ordinary people are used to create a memorial to all those killed by violence through no fault of their own. ‘The Wish’ – a relaxed Sunday morning, a couple at home, a supernatural visitor, a wish offered – to eliminate a substantial number of people in order to make our planet a safer and better place to live in.
Five powerful, hard hitting monologues in which the playwright tackles head-on issues of violence, intolerance of others, narrow concepts of community and nation, each with a twist that lifts it into the realm of real drama. Award-winning playwright Manjula Padmanabhan, in her attempt to come to grips with the violence of these times, excels in this suite of short one-handers which leaves the viewer both shaken and thoughtful.
theatre Y will be doing a re-run of ‘realitY’ on their return from Sri Lanka along with the ‘Okri Jam’. The acting, voice training, personality and communication skills programs that theatre Y conducts for individuals and corporates will commence on their return.
Institutions interested in public/private performances of ‘realitY’ can contact us at 9841070796. Those interested in signing up for the new batches and being a part of theatre Y in its future productions and activities, please email … theatrey@gmail.com or showup@theatrey.com
