Dear Editor,
I believe that my ejection from the National Cultural Centre, ostensibly for violation of a non-existent dress code for the National Drama Festival, was not due to inappropriate dress.
I showed at 1950 hours on October 16, at the NCC at the invitation of Adesh Rambharose, whose play was being judged. I felt no need to change my attire, a white long sleeved shirt, dark blue pants and black leather shoes. I was so dressed to visit a Minister’s office earlier. The usher at the door politely greeted me, told to go to the auditorium door on the left, and put my shirt in my pants. So astounded I was that I only proceeded to speak to Mr. Nelan Benjamin in the foyer whose shirt was out of his pants. As I reached into the auditorium, the usher appeared and told the other usher to have me comply, which she tried and I made an about turn for the car park.
Another usher came and tried to convince me to return, even the manager of NCC tried to get me to return. Even wild horses cannot drag me back to the Cultural Centre. My position is grounded in the facts:
- That the Cultural Centre was saved from a major fire when I led reluctant firemen with a NCN camera light into a pitch black Centre to the fire which was headed to three propane gas cylinders. This was in July on the eve of Carifesta X.
- That the National Drama Festival in its current form was created from three years of hard work and planning, solicitation of friends and sponsors. I did it on three short stints on contract, with the intervening months being free.
- That the rules and procedures sitting on the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s website in book form is unpaid for, along with several other payments. The legal route is not so far being pursued because the provocateurs in the Ministry’s upper structure would like to see Dr. Frank Anthony publicly skewered, and his bright light dimmed for some godforsaken reason. Litigation will expose some very dark and treacherous happenings.
- That the dress code for the Drama Festival was always suspended because it is free admission and all are or were welcome. For the three years I was the Director, nobody was ever refused entry. Even drunken people were admitted.
I hope that this unwarranted attack on me, the second such, serves to remind others that when the Government or its agents decide you are of no more immediate use, they feed you to the mob. Staff are people, and people act according to what they hear their bosses say about other people. This was made to happen this way, that I have no doubt.
Yours faithfully,
Godfrey Naughton Henry
Erstwhile Director –
National Drama Festival
