Eintou draws on local scholars for Freedom Morning Come
‘Freedom Morning Come!!!' is a new historical play from Eintou Pearl Springer, author of ‘Kambule' the very successful street theatre that is now recognised as an important event in our Carnival celebrations. The play will premiere on Sunday August 1st, Emancipation Day at 7am on the Brian Lara Promenade. The customary Kambule parade will proceed to the Emancipation Village, Jean Pierre Complex at the end of the play.
The play takes us into Port of Spain on the morning of August 1st 1834. The enslaved are gathered, awaiting the Governor, George Hill who is going to read the Proclamation announcing the end of Slavery and the beginning of a period of apprenticeship of four years for some and six years for others.
What are the thoughts, stories and feelings of the people gathered there? The people have already decided… pas de six ans! no more six years!
The story is explored through dance, song and drama. The contribution of scholars Dr Hollis Liverpool and Dr JD Elder form important elements of the research that
went into the play. Two Tobago freedom songs researched by Dr Elder are included, as well as one from Dr Liverpool's seminal work, 'Rituals of Power and Rebellion'.
Freedom Morning Come!!! is dedicated to the lifelong work of award winning Trinidad and Tobago scholar Maureen Warner Lewis. Professor Lewis in her monumental work ‘Guinea' Other Suns', chronicles the experiences and the cultural resistance of the Yoruba people in particular, and the survival of African spirituality, language and other cultural forms, including the masquing traditions of West Africa that so influenced our Carnival.
The production boasts a stellar cast. Eunice Alleyne is the elder, Camille Quamina, the Iya, Noel Blandin, the Haytian, Sterling Kent, Kojo the field hand and house workers Se Jule and Evelyn, are portrayed by Dara Healy and Tishana Williams. Brendon Lacaille is Governor Hill and Planter Jackson is Muhammad Muwakil. Movement and choreography is by Dara Healy, dancers are from the dynamic Wasafoli and militia is provided by Leon Carmichael of Capoeira Senzala. Percussion is by Gerard Hector, Xavier Phillips and Chibale. Stage manager for the production is Patrick Cambridge and Victor Donowa is in charge of the technical aspects of the play. The Emancipation Support Committee is Executive Producer.
Come gather 7am Emancipation morning and be drawn into the action of Freedom Morning Come!!! But be careful – you may forget that you are simply witnessing a re-enactment and not actually experiencing the real events of that fateful day, August 1st 1834.
Keep checking the site for all the latest details on the play. You can also see updates on what we are doing on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter see our videos on You Tube: Idakeda Group Online and as always –
Stay with us on our Journey …
