The Central YMCA, in collaboration with May Berry International (Pvt.) Limited (MBI) the performing Arts Company in Battaramulla will present the ceremonial inauguration of the Synergy In Theatrum on March 29 at the BMICH.

"YMCA’s affirmity to the world of English Theatre goes back to 1899 when the late H. Lionel Wendt, during his presidency of the YMCA, Colombo (1899-1911) had done much to promote the English Theatre. The late E. F. C. Ludewyke and E. C. B. Wijesinghe, of comes from Jaffna" fame had also made lavish contributions towards the promotion of the English Theatre in Sri Lanka," said D. S. Abeywardene, President, Colombo YMCA at a media briefing held at the Central YMCA last week.

"The inaugural Synergy In Theatrum Award will go to the outstanding achievements in English Theatre and prevail as the single most sought after title in Sri Lankan English Theatre," he said.

Abeywardene also said that this award will encourage the present and future talent to maximize on their potential in English Theatre.

The Synergy in Theatrum award will continue to be awarded once every two years to and outstanding individual, who had dedicated himself or herself for the development of English Theatre.

"The ceremony will test each and every theatre lover within Sri Lanka and the presence of some of the most eminent individuals in the country on the day of the ceremony, including foreign movie and Music celebrities", Abeywardene said. He said that the evening will contain performances by dance and music troupes including choirs and professional singers.

"We will include excerpts out of popular musicals, together with the performances of some skits. Synergy in Theatrum will take the face of a grand banquet and an evening of entertainment and will prevail as the largest evening of dinner theatre, hosting upto 1200 people," he said.

Abeywardena assured that this will be the most elegant evening organised with the best class in mind. It will give the quality and finesse, much deserved by the English theatre going public and also serve as a benchmark for all enterprising theatre companies." Asanka Ariyachandra and Kusal de Silva of May Berry International (Pvt) Ltd. told the media conference.

The finalised list of nominees are: Indu Dharmasena, Jith Pieries, Jerome L. de Silva, Mohammad Adamally and Fereze Kamaldeen.

When asked what the criteria of selection of these nominees were, Dian Abeywardene listed the following:

•The commitment to English Theatre in the form of motivating young people to get involved in English Theatre in Sri Lanka,

• The quantity and quality of productions they have been responsible over the last several years,

• Diversity, novelty and originality in productions,

• Their efforts at school level to share their wealth of knowledge and experience in English Theatre and,

• Their vision and self-motivated endeavours to take English Theatre within the country to higher standards.(G .P.)