Broken Leg Theatre presents ‘Gruesome Playground Injuries’

Scars, scrapes and bruises are a part of life as we scramble along into adulthood. As innocuous as these painful encounters seem through the retrospective lens of adulthood, the consequences of our accumulated scars take center stage in the American playwright Rajiv Joseph’s 2009 Off Broadway play ‘Gruesome Playground Injuries’.

The Broken Leg Theatre Company presents their production of the Pulitzer Prize Winning author’s play, directed by Lihan Mendis, on 12, 13 and 14 October at the Punchi Theatre.

Contrary to what the title of the play suggests, it is not an on-stage blood and gore fest. It straddles the line between ‘dark comedy’ and ‘drama’.  The play weaves through multiple layers and sifts through fragments of a 30-year relationship between the two protagonists, Kayleen and Doug. 

Throughout the play the couple encounter each other in rather bizarre circumstances that give rise to painful emotional experiences. The pain appears to be compounded by the dysfunctional manner in which the duo negotiates between wounds that are deep seated and those that are superficial. The latter which often distract from the former.

It is an exploration of the human penchant to bond over shared pain and at the same time how the fear of pain can drive them away from each other, and, more importantly prevent them from facing the truth about themselves. 

Lihan says the play “has you rooting for the characters throughout” which fascinated him and allows the audience to relate to the characters and the moments they share, albeit with varying degrees of comfort and empathy. 

Growing up with a keen interest in theatre Lihan is currently a full-time theatre practitioner dedicated to his craft as a student, actor and freelance director. Having chanced upon the play online over a year ago Lihan loved that “there is nothing glamorous and flashy about the bare bones style of the play” and was waiting for the right time and cast to bring his vision for the play to fruition.  

Shanaka Amarasinghe plays the role of Doug and says that is “was fascinating to explore the many layers of Doug, and the motivations for his relationship. I’m also used to being injured.” During the three-month rehearsal process he found that the play’s themes relating to dysfunctional relationships are universal at some, if not all levels. 

The play also sees the return of Imani Perera to the stage after she played Maria in the ‘Sound of Music’. She and Shanaka last worked together in the University of Colombo Drama Society’s production of ‘Poet Puppet and Pappadam’. She says, laughingly, that most of her time at rehearsals have been spent restraining herself from inflicting further injuries on Shanaka and Lihan, in that order.

The play itself calls for the sort of intimate venue that the Punchi Theatre is. The creative use of props against a minimal set, together with the expert light design of Ryan Holsinger, promises that the production will be well-thought-out and executed.

Broken Leg Theatre Company previously brought to Colombo’s stage Yasmina Reza’s ‘Art’ and ‘God of Carnage’ in 2011 and 2013 respectively. Both plays were well-received and played to packed houses.  The Company aims to produce smaller, sustainable plays which can fend for themselves at the box office, while also providing opportunities for young, talented, actors and directors to showcase their craft.

The play runs for 80 minutes without an intermission and has been approved for adult audiences. Tickets are available at the Punchi Theatre box office and on Takas.lk and is brought to you through the generosity of the Thotalagala Bungalow and Drive One Ltd.