PARAYA
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY Arun Welandawe-Prematilleke
CAST I Ruvin De Silva, Shehara De Silva, Chinthaka Fernando, Ryan Holsinger, Tracy Holsinger, Brandon Ingram, Tracy Jayasinghe, Thanuja Jayawardene, Prasad Pereira, Arun Welandawe-Prematilleke and Subha Wijesiriwardena
LIGHTING I Ryan Holsinger
COSTUME I Deeandra Bulner
SET I Yashodhara Pathirana
A Mind Adventures Theatre Production
"The triumph of Paraya was its ability to immerse us in the milieu and expose us for our complicity ... [The play] remains not a mere critique of the state, but a critique of our collective apathy—our willingness to tolerate impunity."
-- Gehan Gunatilleke, groundviews.org
"Ambitious, multi-layered, powerfully played and executed with flair."
-- Shehan Karunatilaka, 2022 Booker Prize Winner
"Immaculately executed."
-- Harshana Rambukwella, Sunday Times
In the year 2013, the island of Sri Lanka finds itself at a crucial point in its history. Isolationist for years under the rule of an all-seeing, unseen Great Leader, the nation's people work hard, fast and happy as long as they take their government prescribed dose of Uppeka, the equilibrium drug.
As preparations for the Victory Day celebration go along, a spanner drops into the works. A section of the population has become immune to the drug. Now they are sick, tired and angry. Angry about a system that has worked to oppress and silence them for too long.
The play follows ten interweaving characters from this world, whose narratives play out simultaneously, offering the audience a chance to follow any character, wherever he goes. There are no seats, there is no stage. You will create your own adventure.