By Abigail Headley
Guyanese theatre enthusiasts are in for a treat come November 3rd and 4th as the upcoming production of “The Last of the Redmen,” is set to be staged at the National Cultural Centre (NCC). The much-anticipated play was written by the late Michael “Mike” Gilkes and directed by Henry Muttoo and will feature veteran actor Ron Robinson along with other versatile and upcoming supporting actors.
“The Last of the Redmen” premiered in 2006 at the Taitts old drawing room in the original Woodbine House, now the special heritage wing of the Cara Lodge Heritage House. Gilkes had played the starring role. It was subsequently taken on tour to St Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad, Toronto, and the Cayman Islands.
The play tells the story of RAF Redman, an octogenarian living in an almshouse in Georgetown, who shares his life’s story with a reporter as he produces a play. The production explores a range of emotions, from joy and excitement to tedium, depression, disillusionment, and madness. Described as a representation of the benign and artistic cultural influence of the so-called ‘middle class’, “Last of the Redmen” celebrates that influence with love and gratitude.
Producer Gem Madhoo, who co-produced with Gilkes, explained that the play was a reminder of the artistic and creative minds of the generation that lived at Cara Lodge (formerly known as Woodbine House) during its heyday in the 50s and 60s. The creative team, she said, aimed to capture the essence of this history on the set, which recreates the fretwork and Demerara shutters of Taitt House (also another name for Cara Lodge back in the day), where much of Guyana’s creative activity took place during that era.
“… Gilkes is part of the era that was at Woodbine House; that generation where artistic minds met at that particular building. The family was very, very open and helpful towards the arts. Most of the children, even though they were professional – one was a psychiatrist, he was also a director of the Theatre Guild, you know, doing plays. One of the daughters was a choreographer… The room upstairs, which we call the Ballet Room now, used to be the rehearsal hall for the concerts. It was the party room; it was their formal room and everything else. So, that was like the centre or the hub of the creativity that went on in Guyana, or Georgetown itself, during that era, and this was the 50s and 60s. The play is reminiscent of that part of our history. And I think Mike was part of that team of people who met there. And this is why he was so passionate about writing that story,” she explained.
Madhoo noted that the play has already been well-received, with great reviews from the various countries where it has been staged.
“When he [Gilkes] went to the Cayman Islands, he wanted to play dramaturge. Now, dramaturge is a word that is used by theatre for when you want somebody to look at the play, if it’s a new play, to look at it constructively and criticise it and then correct it and make it better and improve it. [In the] Cayman Islands, he called together a number of creative minds: Henry Muttoo, Ken Corsbie, Eugene Williams (these are all Guyanese who have lived abroad, who have made huge contributions to the theatre industry in this country at the Theatre Guild especially), and he… discussed the play with them,” the GEM Theatre Productions owner explained to Stabroek Weekend.
She added that Gilkes left the responsibility of dramaturgy with Muttoo, who at the time was head/artistic director of the Harquail Centre (theatre) in the Cayman Islands. Muttoo, who is now retired, recently directed two plays at the Theatre Guild – Ian McDonald’s “Tramping Man” and Paloma Mohamed’s “Duene”.
According to Madhoo, the production serves as a tribute to the play’s co-producer, who passed away in 2020 from COVID-19. She also explained that following his death, and with the knowledge that such a play hasn’t touched the stages in Guyana in a while, she got the idea to revive it. Thus, she submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Culture, and the production was approved for support.
Upon her request, Robinson agreed to take on the challenging role of RAF Redman for this production, despite initially announcing his retirement from acting.
“[Ron] took up the challenge, because if not, I would have had to use a much younger actor and make them up to look old… because the person is an octogenarian in the play. So, Ron is on board [and] he’s taking it boldly in his stride, to learn all the lines,” Madhoo said.
The production promises to deliver theatre of the highest standard with emotional scenes that will leave viewers deeply moved. Madhoo said that theatre goers can expect an educational and historical experience brought to life by veteran actors. She believes that “The Last of the Redmen” can be enjoyed by people of all ages, noting that it features beautiful moments and writing, as well as providing an educational experience for younger audiences.
On this note, she added that an invitation for free attendance will be extended to Fifth and Sixth Form students, teachers from the Cyril Potter College of Education, and University of Guyana Literature students. These parties are invited to attend the second showing on November 4th at 2 pm.
The first showing of the play will be in the form of a gala, which would include cocktails being served from 7:30 pm and the opening performance at 8 pm. Madhoo explained that part of the proceeds from the gala will go towards Uncle Eddie’s Home.
“Recently there has been an appeal to help Uncle Eddie’s Home and I was very touched by it. And this is a very appropriate play because it’s an octogenarian who’s in a home and it’s very appropriate that I can give part proceeds to Uncle Eddie’s Home,” she said.
The play is an opportunity for audiences to appreciate Guyanese history and examine the experiences of octogenarians in homes. While there are no future plans for the production, its success may lead to more opportunities for viewers to experience history in the making.
The play, which won the 2007 Guyana Prize for Literature is being produced by GEMS Theatre Productions and Prime Time Productions, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports under the “One Guyana” policy.
Other cast members include Mark Luke-Edwards, La Latifa Agard, Akeila David, David Hackett, and Stephon Romain, playing flashback scenes of children from RAF Redman’s past. Robinson will bring over 60 years of experience in the theatre industry to the stage.
Tickets for the gala on November 3rd cost $6,500, inclusive of the cocktails, and tickets for the show on November 4th cost $2,500. All tickets will be available for purchase at the NCC.
