The theatres held in Burma played by writers called 'Writers'
Theatre'. Writers were not actually actors or actresses. But they were
acting as they were real actors. The writers' theatre began during the
Japs Regime in Burma and it was going on until 195-? I heard about it
from my grandparents because they were writers and they also took part
in it.
'How It Began?'
They said that at that time the Burma Writer's Association decided to
put up a play for the Association Fund. The members were asked to
adapt many Burmese plays including UPonNya'famous plays. (Note:
UPonNya was a Burmese famous writer and poet, wrote many poems. He
portrayed great dramatic lines of the history. His poetic lines were
long and heavy. No other actor can recite by heart his dramatic lines
except writers especially for Thuka-famous writer and singer.)
'The Plays for Writers' Theatre'
The writers became actors and actresses at the writers' theatre. There
were many plays named as DaiKhinKhin(story of one of the wife of
Burmese King,ThiPaw), Wizaya(story of the Crown prince of a country),
NatShinNaung(story of a Burmese soldier and poet),
MyaWaTiMinGyiUSa(story of a Burmese soldier, scholar and poet), etc.
(Note: The names of the plays were the names of the real people in our
Burmese history.)
'Who Played in Writers' Theatre?'
ThinKa(Writer) who always played as a king and my grandmother(writer)
always played as a queen. ShweNyarMaung(writer) always played as a
main actor and MayNwet(writer) always played as a main actress. (Note-
MayNwet became a famous actress after playing in Writers' Theatre.)
BoBako(writer and actor) played as Burma Prince ThiPaw in DaiKhinKhin
and MaHlaThan(writer) played as DaiKhinKhin. U ChinSein(writer and
actor) played as NatShinNaung and MyaWaTiMinGyi USa. Thuka(writer)
played as Wizaya and MaungPhayNge. His interpretation of Wizaya
established him as a dramatist. Throughout the Japanese occupation
Thuka produced many musical plays. Zawana(writer) played as comedian
in theatres. MayNwet also played as SuPhaYaLatt (jealous wife of King
ThiPaw and she also a queen). KyiMar(writer) played as
SuPhayaLay(younger sister of SuPhaYaLatt). My grandparents always
played as parents of DaiKhinKhin.
'Where Writers' Theatre Showed'
I felt that the writers' theatres were very interesting events in
Burma. These were shown in Exelsior Cinema Hall and other cinema halls
in Rangoon. I thought their readers loved to see their acting on the
stage and they also loved to hear dramatic lines of the famous poet,
UPonNya. The Burmese public loved musical plays, dances, songs and
music.
Photo Speaks…
It was pity that there was no record left except the rare photos. We
had the old photo of rehearsal(1950?) for the play, DaiKhinKhin.
(photo above) In the photo, we can see Thuka(from left), my
grandfather, my grandmother and MaHlaThan(right). See, they acted as
the real actors and actresses and how lively they looked!
Here Following link for Writer's Theatre Updated 2022 Youtube Video,
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