This week we asked the man and woman in the street for their views about the dress code at the National Cultural Centre and whether they thought it should be relaxed so that patrons could wear jeans, Capri pants and boots as is the case in theatres around the world. Their views follow:
Curtis Osborne, technician – ‘I have been to the Cultural Centre. I don’t think they should turn you back because of what you wear. It depends on the occasion. All like [the comedy show] Uncensored they should not have a dress code, you should be allow to wear what you want because I don’t see what they fuss is about. The Cultural Centre is a dark place; nobody can see what you are wearing.’
Thabeta Leich, supervisor – ‘We have a dress code at the Cultural Centre since I know myself going there and I don’t think it should change. I think there should be one dress code for all events at the Cultural Centre. We don’t have to follow other theatres around the world; we should do our own thing. Likewise certain things in Guyana we can’t do when we go outside and certain things we can do here.’
Onieka Charles – ‘I have been to the Cultural Centre and I think the dress code should change and people should be allowed to wear what they are comfortable with. Some of the shows people stay away from the shows because some people may not feel comfortable wearing a dress and all of that. What about those who don’t know about the dress code, are you going to turn them away?’
Delecia Hopkinson – ‘I have been to the Cultural Centre and some people are allowed to walk in with jeans while others have to go back home. If they say no jeans, is no jeans. I think they are partial with their dress code but there should be a dress code because some people will want walk in with anything. I think if they flex with some people they should flex with others because you can’t be partial and if people look respectable they should allow them in.’
Tia Roberts, student – ‘I think they should have a dress code cause if they don’t some people will take it to the extent that they could wear anything and it will get out of hand. I think they should relax the rules for people living far and who don’t know about the dress code but those who have been there and know should dress properly.’
Sunita Buddram, vendor – ‘I have been to the Cultural Centre and I don’t think that they should have a dress code there because they have all types of shows there and people can’t wear one thing all the time to go. People should be allowed to wear what they have.’
Mowaver Cambridge, student – ‘I think it depends on what kind of show it is. All like Uncensored and so people can wear their jeans but like pageants and so they can dress formal.’
Christine English, vendor – ‘I think they should have a dress code like what we usually used to have. Different places you going out you have to wear different clothes, you can’t dress anyhow. I feel that the Cultural Centre should always have a dress code. No, they should not follow other theatres in the world we have to start our own culture and don’t worry with what other people do. We Guyanese like to follow other countries but we’re supposed to have our own way of dressing.’
Mark Prince, mason – ‘I think they should have a dress code because it is more appropriate. We should have we nice dress shoes and dress pants. If you’re coming from far and you are not suitably dressed but have nowhere to go and change or so I think they should allow you.’
Kevin Mc Kenzie, supervisor – ‘I think they should have a dress code because it been there long. I think they should allow jeans and dress shirts – the soft pants should be removed. You can’t wear fine pants to go into the Cultural Centre.’
