The new series of Idakeda Parent and Teacher workshops in schools ended on a positive note this week. Teachers and parents of the San Fernando East Secondary School fully endorsed the techniques used by Idakeda and commended the facilitators for their timely intervention.
The workshops feature three original scripts by Eintou Pearl Springer – 'Baby Doll Meets Midnight Robber', 'Maxi Taxi Man' and 'Madame Lorraine and Fancy Sailor'.
'Maxi Taxi Man' takes a satirical view of the culture of school girls who become involved with a certain segment of private transport providers and the problems which arise as a result of these liaisons.
'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 drama moves to the home of Baby Doll where instances of child neglect and possible abuse are revealed.
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 discussions held after the piece is performed.
The roles of Baby Doll, Madame Lorraine and Fancy Sailor were played by Kemi Phillip, a recent and wonderful addition to the Idakeda family, Dara E. Healy, dancer, poet and actress, Nydia Byron, dancer and Limbo Queen of the world, Prior Joseph, young actor and student of educative theatre, Christopher Sheppard, noted Trinidad and Tobago choreographer and dancer and McKivinFoster dancer, teacher and another new member of the Idakeda circle.
Idakeda student workshops using the play 'Baby Doll Meets Midnight Robber' were also successful, featuring Prior Joseph and Christopher Sheppard as the Devil, Dara Healy and Kemi Phillip as the Baby Doll and Hasely Benjamin (last seen as a Limer and Pan player in another Idakeda production, 'Sesa Woruban') as the Midnight Robber.
Special thanks to Idakeda Director, Attillah Springer for her insightful facilitation of the workshops, ensuring that discussions were targeted and messages well received.
And thanks to Devon Harrigin, who was put on the spot for the last in the series of workshops, and as usual rose to the occasion and even remembered his lines!
