In our society escapism is often necessary for survival. It is a global coping mechanism with wars and rumours of wars, genocide, disease, hopelessness, and other death traps that plague mankind. The unpleasant realities of Guyanese life are conspicuous. Creeping into our consciousness, affecting our outlook on life and condemning us often to a state of woe. I am convinced it is through escapism that many of us survive. The distractions and the joys that still exist in our society provide enough relief for most of us to find the strength to continue. And escaping through theatre is one way. Even if it is for a few hours when the stage comes alive and we are engrossed in the stories, the entertainment, and the characters trajectory, we might detach from our personal griefs for the time. And though what is often presented now in dramatic productions is reflective of what is happening in society, seeing it on stage gives us an opportunity to reflect, to laugh, to empathize, to celebrate and to think about how we can make a change to better this society. This weekend, on Sunday evening, the Theatre Guild of Guyana will host its Festival of One Act Plays after a three-year hiatus due to the global pandemic COVID-19.
It was in 2011, after 28 years, that the Theatre Guild’s Festival of One Act Plays returned. Simone Dowding an award-winning actress, member of the guild and founder of Purple Arts Production was a driving force in the return of the festival. Passionate about the evolution of theatre in Guyana and the nurturing of young talent, she thought the festival would be an integral part of reviving theatre in Guyana. Since its return new playwrights, directors and actors have been encouraged to hone their skills and make the annual festival a success. The training provided by the Theatre Guild has been an integral part of my growth as a playwright also. The Theatre Guild is a place where many of us not only hone our skills but envision the endless possibilities of theatre.
Over the years, the festival saw the production of various plays touching on themes that were relevant to what was happening in our society. The festival would also be followed by an award ceremony where actors, directors and playwrights would be recognized for their hard work and talent. Those nominated would take great pride in dressing in their best, walking the red carpet and celebrating each other. The Theatre Guild created that space where those involved in the festival would not only feel that they are worthy and that their talents do not go unnoticed but would encourage those still growing to aspire to be their best.
The Theatre Guild’s weekly workshop was revived earlier this year and new playwrights, actors and directors have been benefitting from the free training provided. Young people in Guyana are a vulnerable population. There are so many dark spaces they can enter that can ruin their lives. This society is plagued by drug addiction for example. It is disturbing that many young people are addicted to drugs, and some are mentally ill and walking the streets. Drugs unfortunately are a path of escapism, but a dangerous and ill-advised one.
The Theatre Guild’s workshop is a place where young people can escape, learn, and be positively influenced. But the workshop is not for the young alone. Anyone who is interested in growing in theatre can attend the workshops on Wednesday nights. Some of the new playwrights, actors and directors will be featured in this year’s festival.
Only three plays will be staged this year but no doubt those which will be presented will leave an impact on those fortunate to see the productions.
Fashion Cuts was written by Frederick Minty and is also being directed by him. The play investigates the minds of fashion models – a subject that I cannot remember being tackled by a play I have seen in Guyana or any other part of the world I have visited. Therefore, it is one I am looking forward to seeing. Minty is one of those who would have benefitted from the training provided at the Theatre Guild. He is also an award-winning actor. Though directing Fashion Cuts this year posed its challenges because the cast is made up of mostly new actors, Minty shared that they are committed and have therefore put in the effort to make sure the play is a success.
The next play is written by new playwright Brandon Singh. His first theatre production was playing a role in Harold Bascom’s Makantali earlier this year which was staged at the National Cultural Centre, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and directed by Godfrey Naughton.
Keeping Up is a story about bullying and abuse but also one of hope. Singh shared that it was challenging settling on a final draft for the play. As a playwright I say that a play is never complete. Writers are often never fully satisfied with our work because we always believe there is room for improvement.
The director of this play is Anastacia Shako–Van Tull. She is new to directing for stage. Having written and produced the Guyanese sitcom Shades of Brown which delves into interracial dating in Guyana and the challenges it can pose, Van Tull shared that her experience of directing for stage is completely different from working on the sitcom. Working also with a new cast was challenging but she shared that they are talented and willing to do the work. I look forward to seeing this play as well.
Before Her Parting which was written by me between 2012 and 2013 is a play about domestic violence. At the time I conceived this play women were dying every week at the hands of the men they loved. Unfortunately, women are still dying by the hands of the men they love. In writing this play I wanted to examine the subject but from a different perspective from other plays that would have dealt with the same issue.
This play is being directed by award winning actress Colleen Humphrey who would have directed it once before in the last Theatre Guild’s Festival of One Act Plays in 2019. She shared that the experience this time has been hectic, but that the cast promises to deliver a captivating performance on Sunday.
The return of the Theatre Guild’s Festival of One Act Plays this weekend is timely as we continue to revitalize theatre in Guyana and find escapes that help to keep us grounded.
