Students of schools and colleges in the city were in rapt attention, enjoying every bit of a play staged by The Grand Theatre of Lemmings, U.K., at St. Joseph’s College in the city on Friday.
The play King Kong centres around four drama artistes on board a ship Good Hope. Filled with humour all through, the play involves brilliant and quick movement by the actors.
A small vehicle described as the smallest theatre in the world is used for the play. Divided into three chambers, the vehicle has an entrance at its front, seating arrangements for artistes in the middle and an emergency exit at its rear. An electrically-operated sound system makes the audience visualise a voyage.
The sequence has been meticulously classified into five scenes. The actors on board the ship Good Hope, sail in the Pacific Ocean in search of ‘Fog Island’, an island covered with fog. The ship suddenly enters into a thick forest where King Kong climbs it, causing terror and anxiety. It is shot and brought to the New York city. Cassie Catchpole plays King Kong; It is Mandy Medlicott who attracted the audience mostly through her humour-filled and swift movement all through.
David Danzing and Rose Lucas were the other artistes. The play was staged through the joint initiative by the Department of English of St. Joseph’s College and Rotary Club of Tiruchirappalli Shakthi. Shanmugarajan, film actor, said the present-day students were not exposed to the theatre and the play would provide a great opportunity to them to understand the nuances of acting.
“A drama artiste leaves an indelible impression on the minds and hearts of audience,” he said and pointed out that this drama would motivate students to develop their basic skills.
Rev. Dr. F. Andrew S.J. Principal, and S. Papu Benjamin Elango, head of the Department of English, spoke on the hard efforts by the Grand Theatre of Lemmings.
