The Inter-house Drama Competition 2016, organized by the English Drama Society of Royal College in collaboration with the Old Royalists’ Association of Dramatists, took place on the 9th May 2016, 6.30p.m. onwards at the Navarangahala.

The competition was last held in 2012, as ‘Drama Fest’, and was organized this year in the hope of reviving the ‘Drama Season’. For members of the English Drama Society, it was a step in the right direction, as the competition develops many skills which are essential to a dramatist, and also builds healthy competitions among the students. Furthermore, as an inner-school drama competition, it is a great source of preparation for the students who would go on to take part at the Annual Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competitions. The competition was preceded by a workshop which was conducted by the Old Royalists’ Association of Dramatists, from which the participants gained an extensive knowledge of drama and script-writing.

The event was graced by a number of distinguished guest; notably Mrs. C. L. Attygalle, former Deputy Principal of the Primary Section, and Teacher – in Charge of the English Drama Society. Reed house started off the competition with ‘Clown’s Façade’, followed by Harward house with ‘Masterpiece’, Boake house with ‘The Grey Zone’, Hartley house with ‘Oh, My Apple!’ and Marsh house with ‘Dear Diary’.

The Clown’s Facade – Reed House

Jason, a guy finished with his exams joins McDonald’s with the intention of quitting later and starting his own business with his friend but as the story progresses, Jason does very well and is manipulated by the corporation to stay back. His friendship with Michael ends. Jason changes as a person and he gets swallowed by the corporation.

Masterpiece – Harward House

Michael, a young boy who yearns for nothing more than to pursue his love for art is being forced to give up his aspirations in order to succeed his father and inherit the dojo. Unlike Michael’s grandfather who was wise to let his son follow his heart and become a karate master, Michael’s father does no plan to risk his son treading a path other than that which was set out for him by his parents

The Grey Zone – Boake House

After an innocent is framed for a murder by the town’s mob, the case is in the hands of Judge Johnathan Wayne. When a mysterious stranger working for the mob threatens his family, Judge Wayne must choose between saving an innocent man and saving his family.

Oh, My Apple! – Marsh House

A janitor of an art gallery absentmindedly leaves an ordinary apple on a display pedestal. Three comic book nerds debate over its value while a conman seizes the opportunity to coax large sums of money from them and other colourful characters at the gallery.

Dear Diary – Marsh House

A distressed Justin is deciding whether or not to take his own life and resorts to looking for answers in his diary.

In his speech following the plays, the President of the Old Royalists’ Association of Dramatists, Mr. Thushara Hettihamu, explained the purpose of having an Inter-House Competition for Drama and spoke about the future of drama for the members of the English Drama Society. He also commended the plays presented by the houses, praising the talent and competitiveness displayed by the young actors.

Inter-House English Drama 2016

After much anticipation by the students and parents alike, the eminent panel of judges namely, Mr. Nanda Abeysekara, Mr. Nishantha de Silva and Ms. Ashini Fernando, handed the results over to the podium, and Mr. Thushara Hettihamu along with Mr. Azim Rali, Secretary of the Old Royalists’ Association of Dramatists went onstage to handover the awards for Best Actor, Runner-up and Champion houses. The results were as follows:-

Best Actor – Vinsara Jayalath (Reed House) – for the role of ‘Conman’ in ‘Oh, My Apple!’.

Inter-House English Drama 2016

Runners up – Marsh House – for ‘Dear Diary’

Inter-House English Drama 2016

Champion House – Reed House for ‘Clown’s Facade’

Trophy presented in memory of the late Mr. Shezan Rali

Inter-House English Drama 2016