Lionel Wendt Art Centre — Attraction in Colombo

Live Theatre – Art Exhibitions and Photography I have been visiting Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre for over 20 years. My last visit was on 17th and 19th January 2020 to view two art exhibitions. The Art Centre is named after photographer and Artist Lionel Wendt. It stands at 18, Guildford Crescent (now named Premasiri Kemadasa Mawatha) in Colombo and is the place where the artist originally built his small house that he made accessible to art lovers. The theatre for performing arts has over 600 seats and is the premier location in Colombo for both Sinhala and English stage plays, with an occasional one in Tamil. Here at this theatre, I have watched the stage dramas Maname, Sinhabahu and Hunuwataye Kathawa among many others. Though non-alcoholic drinks are available at a little cafeteria, visitors are not permitted to take food or drinks into the theatre. The theatre is air conditioned. It is run-down and a renovation would be much appreciated by patrons. Photographic and sculpture exhibitions are held at the two art galleries. The one on the ground floor facing the road is the more common one. Here I viewed an exhibition of paintings by four artists on 17th January 2020. On the same day there was another exhibition at the Harold Peiris gallery upstairs displaying wild-life photography. I enjoyed both exhibitions that were of a high order. Photographic Society of Sri Lanka conducts its operations in one of the rooms on the ground floor. Photographic enthusiasts meet here regularly. The society organizes educational programmes for beginners and enthusiasts. They also conduct an annual international photographic exhibition. The Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre is the premier institution dedicated to the performing arts, to drama, ballet and music, and to painting, sculpture and photography. Patrons please note that there is no dedicated car park. However there is a public car park quite close to it. The four stars allocated do not reflect comfort at the Art Centre. It reflects the quality of paintings exhibited and the high standard of plays...

As someone who has been coming to one of Colombo's oldest theatre since my childhood, I can say with confidence that this theatre holds a special place in my heart. The moment you step into the theatre, you are transported to a different world altogether.

The atmosphere is electric, with the excitement and anticipation of what's to come palpable in the air. The theatre itself is steeped in history and tradition, and you can feel it in every nook and cranny of the building.

The seating is comfortable, and the sightlines are excellent, ensuring that no matter where you sit, you will have a great view of the stage.

The productions that are staged here are always of the highest quality, with talented actors, singers, and dancers bringing their best to the stage. Whether it's a classic play, a musical, or a contemporary performance, you can be sure that you will be thoroughly entertained.

Overall, this theatre holds a special place in my heart, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic theatre experience. It's a true gem in the...

Lionel Went is a Unique and iconic establishment of the post independent Ceylon, which was baptized and renamed as Sri Lanka in 1972. Lionel went whose house (AlBorda) was on the premises was an internationally acclaimed photographer. His experimental still photos and nudes are unique not only for the fact that they were done in 1935 but for its futuristic thinking. It will be interesting to watch the newly released film (2021) AlBorada, directed by the Sri Lankan director Asoka Hadagama, based upon the Chilean Poet Neruda who was stationed in Colombo in 1932. Neruda was a good friend of Lionel Went. In the film the photographer Lionel is played by Sri Lankan actor Dominic Keller. LWAC had a interesting and imaginative bar and verandah which many artist of the 60s and to the 80 visited and developed a imaginative and certainly colorful culture which was regrettably closed for unknown reasons. Today the 2 galleries' and the theater continue to be an important land mark on the cultural identity...