It is not just the restoration of the Theatre Guild building that will ensure the art form stays alive in Guyana, but also the people who keep writing, performing, directing and producing the plays that will be staged there.
Starting next Friday, the latest of these productions, Testament, will be held at the Theatre Guild for three nights.
Directed by Russell Lancaster, Testament is based on a book written by Dr Janice Imhoff which was adapted especially for the theatre. In the book, Our Words Will be There, Dr Imhoff, a local medical practitioner, shares the agonising stories of 13 female cancer survivors. The book was subsequently adapted for stage by the celebrated Guyanese playwright Dr Paloma Mohamed.
Imhoff was inspired by her viewing of GEMS Theatre Productions 2004 production of the Vagina Monologues. She felt that a dramatisation of the work would give a voice to women suffering from grave illnesses such as cancer. Her hope is that the production will create more awareness and sensitivity among people to their bodies and overall health care.
According to the director, the play is unique not only because of its unusual subject matter, which he notes is not the most pleasing topic, but more so because of its irregular dialogue. He says that when he was first approached about directing the play, he largely agreed to do it because it was different from any of his previous productions. He describes the play as being “extremely free form” and “psychological” in nature and adds that there are some similarities between this play and the Vagina Monologues. He believes that this play possesses all the right elements for it to be classified as being both entertaining and educational.
Producer Gem Madhoo-Nascimento emphasises that the play is mainly educational since it serves to make people aware of “what people go through when they have cancer.” She feels that the play is well written and she is especially impressed by its poetic form.
She hopes that after the initial production next weekend, the play can be taken to various communities in the country, since she believes that this particular message needs to be heard by all. But she is well aware that the success of such a venture is largely dependent on available funding. If this is not made possible, she hopes that a video can be made which would then be played on the different television stations in the country. She acknowledges that while the play focuses primarily on women, it should not be viewed solely as a “play for women” since both men are women are affected by what happens to females in the society.
Nascimento also spoke highly about the all-female cast, which she described as “a mixture of youth and experience”. Cast members Margaret Lawrence, Jennifer Thomas, Sonia Yarde, and Sheron Cadogan, it can safely be said, are among the best talents in local theatre.
Testament opens with a gala performance on Friday, March 14, at 8 pm, preceded by a 30-minute cocktail from 7.30 pm. The price for this event is $2,000. The play continues on Saturday March 15, at 8 pm. and Sunday at 6 pm. The admission for these shows is $1000 and tickets can be purchased at Nigel’s Supermarket, Oasis Caf
