Speech Band, Kaiso, Stick fight are all part of a new and exciting production "How Anansi Bring The Drum, which takes place at U.W. I. Open Campus, with the Gala opening on November 24th at 6.30pm and Shows on November 25th at 10am and 7pm, Goodwood High School Tobago on Saturday 26th November 2011 at 4:00pm and 7:00pm. The production celebrates the International Year for the People of African Descent and is part of the UNESCO's Youth Theatre Initiative.
Children from both Trinidad and Tobago comprise the cast for the play, which is written and directed by Eintou Pearl Springer. The play portrays Anansi as a symbol of African cultural resistance and retention and showcases many of these elements of retention in a production rich in song, music and dance.
The young cast is pulled from schools from all over Trinidad and Tobago.
Anansi is played by both Daylon Walcott from Goodwood High in Tobago and by Kayode Charles of Morvant Anglican, Zanana, against whom Anansi matches his wits is played by Latifya Edwards of St Georges College in Barataria. That school also gives the production its Chantwell, in Shanya Springer. Elder Owl is Tya Jane' Ramey, of Bishop Anstey East.
The story is told by two young griots, Nathifa Williams, Holy Faith Convent, Penal and Neeshad Justin Mohammed of Barrackpore West Secondary. Speechband energy comes powerfully from Goodwood High, Roxborough Secondary and Pembroke Anglica Primary. Dances include Bongo, Congo Bele, African traditional Spiritual and Calinda. Choreographer for the piece is Dara Healy. Integral to the production has been the work of the Tobago coordinator, Thabiti and Cheryl Uzoro.
A very special feature of the production is the creation of a ZANANA OUVERTURE, music specially composed for the production by the CHIBALE DRUMMERS, with master drummer, percussionist and composer Keshav Chandradathsingh at his studios in Aranguez. The music heralds the arrival of Zanana at every point in the play.
Costume and set design is by painter and mas designer Kevin Mc Mayo. Lighting design is by Ken Joseph.
Tickets cost 25 dollars for students and 50 dollars for adults. Proceeds from tickets are meant to guarantee the sustainability of the Youth Theatre Initiative, a project that the Secretary General of the Trinidad and Tobago National Commission for UNESCO considers a very important one for our nation's youth.
Please contact La Toya at 622 0939 for your tickets.
We look forward to welcoming you.
