M. Safeer, Founder of Inter Act Arts Theatre & Colombo International Theatre Festival
Inter Act Arts Theatre (IAA) of Sri Lanka
Inter Act Arts Theatre (IAA) based in Colombo, Sri Lanka was founded by M. Safeer in 1990, dedicated to cultured society, full of humanity with a social and cultural change, and presents the world-renowned Colombo International Theatre Festival for the past nine years in Sri Lanka.
Ronald Rand with Jayalath S. Gomes, Festival Secretary
Over the past two and a half decades, IAA has been involved in theater and the performing arts as a multi-ethnic, multi-language and a multi-religious group comprising of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim representatives. IAA has led the way introducing Forum Theater in Sinhala and Tamil languages, and introducing the innovation of the use of a black box theater as a different dimension to Sri Lankan Theatre.
For the 8th consecutive year in 2019, Mr. M. Safeer and the IAA presented the Colombo International Theatre Festival in Colombo, with Opening Ceremonies at the Goethe House in Colombo introduced by the inspiring Dr. Petra Raymond, Director of the Goethe Institute, and led by Eshantha de Andrado, Rowena Jayaweera and Dewni Pathinisekara. A documentary film of the late renowned Sri Lankan actor, Dr. Jayalath Manorathne, was shown with an introduction by Mr. Waruna Alahakoon, Deputy Director of Education, Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka.
Presentation after a Production presented by IAA Presentation at Colombo International Theatre Festival
Presentation after a Production presented by IAA Presentation at Colombo International Theatre Festival
Ronald Rand with special guests at Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019, including Thomas Stumpp, Head of the Theatre Dance at Goethe Institute, Germany and Dr. Petra Raymond, Director, Goethe Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Performance during Opening Ceremonies, Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Performance during Opening Ceremonies, Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Audience at Opening Ceremonies, Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Young performers of Sri Lanka’s Red Apples International Theatre company who performed in ”Do Re Mi Fa So La T'” in Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019 (named as best childrens’ performance of the year in Sri Lanka), directed by Sachithra Rahubadda.
National University of Theatre and Film of Romania students who performed in “Rehearsal for Elsinore” during the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019, led by Bogdana Darie and Romina Sehlanec with Andreea Jicman, Victor Badol, Andrei Atabay, Carmen Galca, Natalia Dragomir, Cristan Jicman, Ioana Lixandtoaia and Miruna Sovaiala.
Everyone traveled to the famous Elphinstone Theatre to watch pre-performances in the lobby by Sri Lankan students during each night of the Festival, and along with excited audiences experience the talents of not just the Sri Lankan Theatre community but also gifted performers from around the world.
Special Guests, Panelists and Performers at the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019 including Ronald Rand, Rituparna Biswas, Subhendu Bhandari
Famous Elphinstone Theatre where performances of Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019 took place
Banners at the front of the famous Elphinstone Theatre where performances of Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019 took place
Pre-performances took place before performances
in the lobby by Sri Lankan talented students
at the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Sri Lanka theater troupes and performances included: Inter Act Art Theatre’s production of M. Safeer’s “Kevin,” Vinivida Theater’s “Menna Ape Rajjuruwo” by D.K. Atigala; Musaeus College’s “The Flight of Fancy” by Nimasha Fernando; “Grease Yaka Returns” written and directed by Rajitha Hettiarachchi and Nishantha de Silva; and Red Apples International Theatre performed a childrens’ drama, ”Do Re Mi Fa So La T'” which had been named as best childrens’ performance in the year in Sri Lanka, directed by Sachithra Rahubadda; and “Nokiya Hitapu deyak” by Nalin Lusena with Sudarashana Krishantha, Rebeca Dilrukshi, Chamanthi Attanayaka.
One of the talented Sri Lanka students during a pre-performance in the lobby by Sri Lankan talented students at the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Acclaimed international performers and troupes invited from around the world performing in the Festival included Ronald Rand representing the United States performing in his internationally-acclaimed solo play, “LET IT BE ART!” as Harold Clurman, the “elder Statesman of the American Theater;” Austrian performance group, Hungry Sharks, led by Valentin Alfery and Dusana Baltic with noted Hip-Hop dancer, Farah Deen performing “The Sky Above, the Mud below;” Melanie Florschutz and Michael Dohnert in “Things to Wear” from Germany; National University of Theatre and Film of Romania students in “Rehearsal for Elsinore,” led by Bogdana Darie and Romina Sehlanec with Andreea Jicman, Victor Badol, Andrei Atabay, Carmen Galca, Natalia Dragomir, Cristan Jicman, Ioana Lixandtoaia and Miruna Sovaiala; Rudreshwar’s production of ”Soul to Soul” by Satich R. Narvekar from India; and Amta Parichay’s production of “Eladidi” with Rituparna Biswas, directed by Subhendu Bhandari.
Audience members in the famous Elphinstone Theatre at the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Ronald Rand during his performance as
Harold Clurman in “LET IT BE ART! in the
Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Jayalath S. Gomes, Festival Secretary was delighted everyone came but reminded everyone of the recent dramatic events that befell Sri Lanka by saying: “Let me start with a rest in peace for those innocent people who laid down their lives on the Easter Sunday extremist attack and quick recovery for those who were wounded.”
“Even with the usual obstacles we were ready to stage our 8th Colombo International Theatre festival in early June when these unfortunate accident incidents took place. We had two options either to cancel or to postpone the Festival. When I informed the foreign teams about the situation in Sri Lanka, they were very sympathetic and encouraged us not to cancel but to postpone the event until the situation improved.”
Ronald Rand at the conclusion of his performance in “LET IT BE ART! in the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019, delivering his thanks in the Sinhala language
Ronald Rand receiving an award from Kakumoto Atsushi and M. Safeer, after his performance as Harold Clurman in “LET IT BE ART! in the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
“Our gratitude to those who were involved in bringing the country to normalcy within a short span of time. When authorities of many countries had warned their citizens about the risks involved in going to Sri Lanka, other than one team, all teams of performers who were to participate in the Festival initially are here with us today. We are proud of you. We salute the performers and not forgetting our partners for trusting us.”
Sri Lanka’s Red Apples International Theatre’s production of a childrens’ drama, ”Do Re Mi Fa So La T'” (named as Best Childrens’ Performance of the year in Sri Lanka), directed by Sachithra Rahubadda in the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Sri Lanka’s Musaeus College’s “The Flight of Fancy” by Nimasha Fernando, in the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Sri Lanka’s Vinivida Theater’s “Menna Ape Rajjuruwo” by D.K. Atigala, in the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Thomas Stumpp, Head of the Theatre Dance at Goethe Institute, Germany was a special guest and shared his ideas about this year’s Festival: “For years the International Theater Festival in Colombo has been an important partner in the field of theater for the Goethe Institute. It is particularly worth mentioning that Festival Director, M. Safeer has always seen theater as a diverse art form that is intended as a theatrical art, regardless of the audience for which a staging is intended.”
“Grease Yaka Returns” written and directed by Rajitha Hettiarachchi and Nishantha de Silva, in the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Farah Deen performing “The Sky Above, the Mud below,” in the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Melanie Florschutz and Michael Dohnert in “Things to Wear” from Germany, in the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
“While there are still differences in Germany between children’s theater and adult theater and different festivals take place, it is a matter of course the International Theatre Festival in Colombo invites what has quality and makes no distinction…The culture and productions shown at the Festival have a lasting effect on the invited German groups in their further work, including this year’s group – Melanie Florschutz and Michael Dohnert in “Things to Wear” from Germany. This reciprocal impulse in principle applies to any kind of cultural exchange, and it is important to us that such an exchange actually takes place.”
“Nokiya Hitapu deyak” by Nalin Lusena with Sudarashana Krishantha, Rebeca Dilrukshi, Chamanthi Attanayaka, in the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
During the Fstival, M. Safeer’s play, “Kevin,” was performed, directed by M. Safeer and performed by Sudarashana Bandara as Kevin, Vishaka Jayaweera as the Mother, Sujeewa Pathinisekara as the father, and the “Colors” were: Asiri Dulanja, Chamodi Dayawansa, Nawanjana Jayasekara, Mithun Charitha, Nimesha Kaushalya, and Chanuka Maduhansa.
16. During the International Theater Forum, International Performing Artist/Artistic Director Ronald Rand delivering his Talk, at the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019, with Lead Moderator Sachithra Rahubadda, and Gaya Nagahawatta.
Over the years, Inter Art Act Theatre has won several awards at Sri Lanka national and international competitions. Their productions include the M. Safeer’s play, “Kevin,” directed by Mr. Safeer, which follows the story of the struggles and obstacles faced by a young Autistic boy called Kevin. The play is an emotional evening portraying the difficulties his parents are faced with because of the situation and the mental trauma that it brings upon Kevin.
During the International Theater Forum, Hungry Sharks Artistic Director, Valemtin Alfrey and producer Dusana Baltic and performer, Farah Deen delivering a Talk at the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
M. Safeer has said about his play, “I had the opportunity to visit many countries regarding to theater-related work during the last two decades. I was able to gain a lot of knowledge and experience about children and youth theater. I met many dramatists in the world and shared knowledge with them, experiencing the potentials of writing a play like this, ‘walking beyond the traditional drama field.’”
International Performing Artist Ronald Rand conducting his Master Workshop, “Art of Transformation” (in three languages in English, Sinhala and Tamil, with two translators) at the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
“Kevin is my first children play written in English. I had met Kevin as a character when I read an article in a newspaper about thirty years ago. He was caught between the fear of his father and the affection of his mother. Since I also have children I have experienced the fear that children may feel towards their father. This kind of fear may exist in every child, even those without special needs. Yet, I feel it is an unhealthy emotion for children in the Sri Lankan society.”
International Performing Artist Ronald Rand conducting his Master Workshop, “Art of Transformation” (in three languages in English, Sinhala and Tamil, with two translators) at the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
As a director, at some instances during the play, I have tried to experiment with the lights to achieve certain lighting effects to capture Kevin’s mood swings. I hope “Kevin” will be a meaningful experience to children and parents alike.”
At the Colombo International Theatre Festival, there were also several master workshops presented, along with lectures at an International Forum by leading performers, directors, scholars and producers in the Festival, moderated by Sachithra Rahubadda, Artistic Director of Red Apple International Theatre. Those who participated included Thomas Stumpp of Germany, Ronald Rand of the USA, Valemtin Alfrey and Farah Deen, Kakumoto Atsushi, Ausanne Schyns, Michael Meyer, Associate Professor Bogdana Daire and Subhendu Bhandari.
International Performing Artist Ronald Rand with all the participants of his Master Workshop, “Art of Transformation” at the Colombo International Theatre Festival, 2019
Mr. Safeer commented about the Festival: “It has been a miracle journey throughout these eight years and this year especially, with the situation the country experienced, we were very unsure that the Festival would even be held. But we decided to focus on the silver lining in the dark cloud and worked hard to make this event a success. Ultimately I believe it has been just that.”
“Another achievement is being able to felicitate veteran Sri Lankan theater personality Dr. Jayalath Manorathne. Dr. Manorathne has been doing yeoman service to the local theater for five decades.”
Another important presentation by M. Safeer was the Sri Lankan premiere of an adaptation of “The Diary of Anne Frank” in English and Sinhala languages, directed by M. Safeer on March 5th and 6th at the Goethe Institute in Colombo (with an Exhibition on Anne Frank at the German Cultural Center. The cast of the play included Amaya Bogoda, Jayanath Bandara, Vishaka Jayaweera, Pimal K. Perera and Cithrarina Mendis. Art, videography and design was created by Saliya Liyanarachchi, with music by M. Sharaf.
Poster of performances of an adaptation, based on the world famous
“Diary of Anne Frank” directed by M. Safeer, staged in both English
and Sinhala languages at the Goethe Institute.
About his adaptation, Mr. M. Safeer said: “In creating this play based on Anne Frank’s world famous book, it was my aim to not only recreate what happened seventy years ago in Europe, but also connect it to what people went through in the present context in Sri Lankan society, especially after the Easter Sunday attack.”
“As a Muslim, I saw through Anne Frank’s Diary the agony, the mental pressure and the unease the entire society of Sri Lanka underwent after the recent Easter Sunday attack. Anne and the family went into hiding, in the same way parents of this country did not send their children to schools, withdrew from public places, went straight home after work and got felt caged at home.”
“What happened seventy years ago is repeating itself, even today. Many inhuman acts are taking place based on ethnic, religious, cast, creed, power and the class. There seems to be no end to these acts. All of us are engaged in an unending war. History repeats itself.”
Other IAA productions include “Mano Abhuta,” “Mak Nisada Yath,” “Kandawurak,” “Aranbayak ho Awasanayak Nometha,” “Antrawai,” “Ayemath with,” Gangata Udin Kokku Giya,” “Thrikonaya,” “Dheewaree Geethaya,” “Ege Horawa,” “Siripala Tharaha Wela,” “Sanda Saviya,” Hetavat Kavadavat (translation), “Shadha Muhunu,” “Kandawurak,” “Dushtanthayak,” “Pashchattapa,” “Oya Dora Arinna,” “Karunawen Sawandenna” (first bilingual production), “Mama Ipadune Iye Nemei,” (in Sinhala and Tamil), “Bahoru” (in Sinhala and Tamil), “Shasi Danawwa,” “Beanpole,” “Come in a Circle (in Sinhala and Tamil), “Empty Space Chair Taken,” Beanpole” (in Tamil), and “Pompinia.” Ballets have included: “Kadatolu Nimeshaya,” and “Isimbuwa.”
One of IAA’s main objectives has been to train young people, schoolteachers, and university students island-wide in modern theater and acting techniques. IAA has a publishing section introducing books on the art of theater, and also work to give the youth of all ethnicities with creative ideologies, the opportunity to work part-time to fulfill their objectives.
Contact info: Jayalath S. Gomes-Festival Secretary, M. Safeer-Festival Director, Colombo International Theater Festival, InterAct Art Black Box Theater House, 171/ 3, Koswatta Rd, Nawala, Rajagiriya Sri Lanka, 94 117 201 299, interactartsl@gmail.com, interactart.wordpress.com, www.citfsrilanka.com
