Arts on Sunday

What is one of the major festivals of the Caribbean and a unique event in the region has just ended in Guyana.

Reviewed by Romona Bennett This week we present a book review.

The finals of the National Drama Festival (NDF) begins tonight at the National Cultural Centre with one of the plays in the Open Full-Length Category.

The National Drama Festival (NDF) 2016 is now in progress. Among its key objectives are the grand exhibition of the best of Guyanese theatre; the advancement of the dramatic arts and the improvement of theatrical skills; the promotion of new theatre both in terms of written plays to enlarge the corpus of Guyanese drama and extending the frontiers of theatrical form, dramatic styles in both writing and directing techniques; providing instruction through drama; and addressing national and social issues through the use of the stage.

The National Drama Festival (NDF) of 2016 begins at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) today with the staging of plays in the preliminary round.

Cultural change continues to be a very interesting study. We have from time to time commented on factors of change in Guyana and the Caribbean and have remarked at what has been observed in some cultural traditions.

Among the honours, recognition and tributes paid to Malcolm Corrica, MS, popularly known as Lord Canary, (March 21, 1937 – October 10, 2016), is a publication of his biography written by Allan A Fenty.

Trickster II (For Lee “Scratch” Perry) A voice cried out in the wilderness.

A play, Brixton Stories by Biyi Bandele, was performed at the Theatre Guild Playhouse recently under special circumstances.

It is imperative at this time to put on record another tribute to Dr Doris Elrina Rogers, distinguished artist, art educator, researcher, administrator, Professor Emeritus of the University of Guyana and Lifetime Fellow of the Institute of Creative Arts, Guyana, who died last week.

Castellani House is currently exhibiting “Homage to Denis Williams: An Exhibition of Artworks by Indigenous Artists – Celebrating Amerindian Heritage Month” at the National Gallery of Art, running until October 15.

The play Ti Jean and His Brothers is one of the new texts prescribed on the CXC syllabus in its new cycle. 

         There Was An Indian There was an Indian, who had known no change, Who strayed content along a sunlit beach Gathering shells.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha last week presented their annual theatre Naya Zamana 21, a theatrical adventure titled ‘Lost In Time.’ 

Here begynneth a treatyse how þe hye Fader of Heven sendeth Dethe to somon every creature to come and gyve acounte of theyr lyves in this worlde, and is in maner of a morall playe.

1st of AUGUST, 1838 ‘Oh ye first of August freed men who now liberty enjoy; Salute the day and shout hurrah to Queen Victoria; On this glad day the galling chains of Slavery were broke From off the necks of Afric’s sons, who bled beneath its yoke.

The National Dance Company (NDC) last week staged ‘A Celebration of African Heritage,’ as one of its six regular annual programmes on specified themes at different times of the year.

There is an often repeated lament in Guyana about the state of the local theatre.

African dance will no doubt be at the top of the agenda during this season of Emancipation celebrations.

The Indian High Commission in Guyana, especially through the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) in Georgetown, has exposed Guyanese audiences to a variety of Indian performances and cultural forms.