Recent Media

Harmony in Diversity

This full length musical, Trinidad and Tobago's main offering for CARIFESTA 2000, is a cultural chronology of Trinidad and Tobago.

It begins with the Amerindians and documents the intermixing of cultures as well as the cultural formulations produced in T&T such as Calypso, Parang, Steelband and Chutney.

This is essentially a grand, grand celebration of Trinidad and Tobago. The script says:

"We come together as one

yet we recognize individual distinctions

We share the richness of each other's Culture

and we celebrate what we have created together"

The play has received rave reviews locally, regionally and internationally.

Sesa Woruban -I Transform Myself

This full-length play ‘Sesa Woruban, charts the journey of our African ancestors from the continent to Trinidad and Tobago, through dance, music and song. The production reminds us that we have the power to transform ourselves by building on the sacrifices, suffering and triumphs of our ancestors. It makes the point that enslavement was only a short chapter in a long and glorious history of the African and it looks at various developments in Trinidad and Tobago society from enslavement to the modern day.

The play was specially commissioned to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the end of the trade in our African ancestors. The story is told in eight movements, flowing seamlessly into each other, and creatively linked through a main character, song, drama, music and dance. It celebrates the triumphs, achievements and struggles of the enslaved Africans, running the gamut of emotions from pathos to warriorhood.

Canboulay

This play pays tribute to our warrior ancestors of the Mas and brings their achievements to the attention of the entire society, through theatre, music and movement. The Carnival that we now take for granted was fought for by the former enslaved of the barrack yards, not only in Port of Spain but also in the East and South of the island. The riots of 1881 in Port of Spain were however the most significant.

The play therefore documents a seminal aspect of the history of Trinidad and Tobago, since it is as a result of the struggles of our citizens centuries ago, that the rest of the world is now able to enjoy the wonder and splendour of Carnival.

Shades of I-She

Shades of I-She is a dramatic presentation that deals with domestic violence and other social ills which reflect the breakdown of traditional family value systems, from prostitution to drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. The two hour play is based on the poetry of Eintou Pearl Springer, complimented and enhanced by the voice of Mavis John and the original choreography of Awilda Sterling-Duprey of Puerto Rico. The production is a unique creative collaboration of women and men who use the performance arts as a catalyst for empowerment, discussion and ultimate solutions. Its technique is hard- hitting through the use of powerful dialogue and striking imagery.

There are true stories of members of the audience crying uncontrollably and even walking out on performances of Shades of I-She. But above all, ‘Shades' is a celebration of woman in all her facets-warrior, victim, sister, mother, lover. The Production takes the audience through the spectrum of human emotion, culminating in a joyful expression of hope with all of the cast members on stage. It is necessary, cathartic experience for women and girls everywhere who may be suffering in silence.

Baby Doll Meets Midnight Robber

The ‘Baby Doll' carnival character in the play graphically and powerfully explores the core themes of HIV/AIDS, appropriate and safe sexual behaviour teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, peer pressure and ‘Right Choices'. The Baby Doll as the symbol of the challenge to make the Right Choices is joined on stage by other Carnival characters; the Devil as the ultimate tempter and the Midnight Robber as the voice which impacts the conscience of the young people.

The language is that of the ‘now' youth, but the production is rooted in the Carnival tradition that is so Trinidad and Tobago, so Caribbean and which now resonates internationally.

"Is you, is you is the Daddy!

Pandemonium ensues as she accuses one of the young men in the audience! All of the characters interact directly with the young audience, intensifying the impact of the play and the intervention strategy so perfected by Idakeda.

The play whether shown in the Caribbean or to international audiences has been successful in using the unique and relevant approach of the Traditional Carnival Characters of Trinidad and Tobago to explore problems, initiate discussion and ultimately, find solutions.

Madame Lorraine and Fancy Sailor

Madame Lorraine and Fancy Sailor is a continuation of the story of Baby Doll, a troubled young woman, obsessed with the search for the father of her child.

The characters in the piece, drawn from the traditional carnival characters Dame Lorraine, Baby Doll and King Sailor, are used to dramatically portray some of the troubling elements of family life in our present reality. Themes such as abuse, incest, inappropriate sexual behaviour, HIV AIDS, teenage pregnancy and parental responsibility are explored in the work. Solutions to the problems are explored through discussion held after the piece is performed.

This latest piece by playwright, author and Poet Laureate of Port of Spain, Eintou Pearl Springer, is currently being used in schools throughout the country as an intervention strategy for parents and teachers. Her first play in this series, "Baby Doll meets Midnight Robber" has been workshopped on an ongoing basis with young people in schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago for the past three years, and internationally in places such as Toronto, Ohio and most recently New York.

I, Hyarima

1699 - Hyarima, Nepuyo chief of the Amerindian people of Trinidad leads a successful revolt against the Spanish colonisers, creating havoc for those who would enslave his people, disrespect their traditions and way of life.

The town of Arima is named after this great warrior Cacique (chief) and the Santa Rosa Carib Community, his Amerindian descendants who still live there, celebrate this brave act even today during Amerindian Heritage Day.

The play ‘I, Hyarima', chronicles his life, challenges and exploits, gives recognition to this first national hero of Trinidad and Tobago and pays homage to the great history and legacy of our brave, gentle First Peoples.

Contact us at info@idakedagroup.com or (868) 638-1553 to arrange bookings for performances and tours of these and other productions.