• Ramya Jirasinghe on ‘Water for Kings’

This week (29 August to 1 September), the Mind Adventures Theatre Co. will mark its 25th anniversary milestone by staging ‘Water for Kings’ – a remarkable play written by 2023 Gratiaen Prize winner Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe. 

‘Water for Kings’ goes onstage at BMICH’s Kolamba Kamatha Theatre from 29 August to 1 September and was inspired by a real event in 2006 when the LTTE blocked the Mavil Aru sluice gates, cutting off water and painting a stark picture of the profound impact such deprivation can have on both personal and public life. 

The play is directed by Mind Adventures Theatre Co. Founder and Artistic Director Tracy Holsinger. It stars Saumya Liyanage, Brandon Ingram, Hidaayath Hazeer, Shala Amarasuriya, and Tharusha Kumarasinghe and in multiple roles across the performance features Dinuli Mendis, Sonali Wanigabaduge, Nabeel Nooramith, and Udula Karawita with Shala Amarasuriya also serving as Music Director.

Ahead of the production next week, The Sunday Morning Brunch sat down with Ramya for a look at the themes of ‘Water for Kings’ and how this story, which was written over a decade ago, is now literally coming to life. 

A story that has travelled from one turbulent time to another

Ramya began writing ‘Water for Kings’ around 2010, during a significant period in Sri Lanka's history just after the end of the civil war when the political landscape was charged with tension and change. This backdrop heavily influenced the themes of her play, which explores the misuse of natural resources by rulers to consolidate power. Drawing from the sociopolitical climate of that time, the play examines the exploitation of minority groups and the environmental consequences of unchecked authority.

“The play is set in a mythical kingdom and draws on the way a ruler can use scarce natural resources to consolidate power,” Ramya explained. “This ruler tries to deny access to water to minority groups, and as long as the majority has the resources, they don’t really care.”

In ‘Water for Kings,’ water – a symbol of life and sustenance – becomes a tool for domination, highlighting the indifference of the powerful towards the needs of the marginalised. 

The journey of ‘Water for Kings’ from script to stage has had its twists and turns. Ramya worked on the play over several years, refining and reworking it, but it remained unproduced for a long time. 

It was only in 2020 that Ramya sent the script to Mind Adventures Theatre Co.’s Tracy Holsinger. “At the time, no one was in a position to use it or stage it so it went on the back burner,” Ramya recalled. However, at the height of the ‘Aragalaya’ in 2022, many of the issues and themes ‘Water for Kings’ dealt with, especially deprivation of resources, became hugely relevant, and Tracy held an excerpt reading at the protest site. 

The play’s language is rooted in contemporary verse, leaning towards free verse rather than traditional rhyming structures. This stylistic choice enhances its poetic nature, with segments filled with imagery and rhythm. However, Ramya shared, the original script was challenging to stage. Tracy, together with actress and dramatist Thusitha Jayasundera, adapted the text to make it more performance-friendly, simplifying the dialogue while preserving its core message.

From page to stage

As an author, Ramya’s approach to her work is one that is open-handed. She believes that once a piece is written, it belongs to the public and is subject to the interpretations of those who engage with it. “My philosophy is that once you’ve written it, it belongs to the public and the reader,” she said. “So for me, even the director takes it and interprets it the way she wants, using my text, leaving it open for them to do whatever they want.”

This philosophy has guided the process of ‘Water for Kings’ coming to the stage, with Ramya staying largely uninvolved in the directorial aspects of the production whilst trusting Tracy’s vision and the creative team’s ability to interpret her work. She views Tracy as a ‘reader’ of her text, allowing her the creative freedom to shape the play’s direction, staging, and character interactions.

The original text as well as the adapted script for performance, published by Sarasavi Publishers, will both be available at the performance of ‘Water for Kings’. “When you see the original text available at the play, you can see how it’s staged,” Ramya noted. “The direction and representation are Tracy’s, and that’s exactly what I want. I’ve been to rehearsals and I love what they’re doing.”

Why ‘Water for Kings’ is a must-see

‘Water for Kings’ is not just a play; it is a reflection on power, its corrupting influence, and the inevitable consequences of disregarding the natural world. It poses questions about the responsibilities of leadership, the rights of minorities, and the urgent need for environmental conservation. These themes are universal, transcending the mythical kingdom in which the play is set and speaking directly to the audience’s own experiences and concerns.

Ramya shared that she was deeply honoured to see her work finally come to life on stage, especially in a production that aligned so closely with the values of Mind Adventures Theatre Co. She also recognised the challenges faced by local productions in getting their work funded and produced and expressed her immense gratitude to the sponsors who have supported this endeavour.

“I think it’s an honour,” Ramya said. “It would have been much easier for Tracy to take a well-known play from someone from another country, but she chose to go with a local script, which is amazing.”

For Ramya, this production is a culmination of years of work, reflection, and hope. It is an invitation for the audience to engage with the themes of the play, to reflect on their relevance, and to consider the role they play in shaping the world around them.

Info Box:

‘Water for Kings’ will be staged at the BMICH’s Kolamba Kamatha Theatre from 29 August to 1 September with a matinee performance held on 31 August

For tickets and more information:

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