Theatre of Sri Lanka
The Theatre of Sri Lanka encompasses many different languages and traditions.
History
Early forms
Dramas in Sri Lanka began first with ritualistic performances of early
With the arrival of
It would take until the 1950s for serious Sinhala dramas to develop. With the independence of Ceylon from Great Britain and a widespread appreciation of Sinhala culture, Ediriweera Sarachchandra led the movement for serious Sinhala theatre. Sarachchandra's work, which brought together elements of the early folk ritual and dance drama tradition with Western theatre methods and stage style, created a new genre of theatre that appealed to all classes.
Major Venues
Major theatres in Sri Lanka include King George Hall (KGH) of the University of Colombo; Navarangahala of the Royal College, Colombo; Elphinstone Theatre and the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre. The Lionel Wendt Art Centre and the Nelung Arts Centre combine live theatre and art exhibition, with exhibition galleries and theatres.
Modern theatre
References