TWO TOPICS, different treatments, but the same result – the audience loved them.
They were understandably impressed with the theatrical and dance presentations by Yannick Hooper and Renee Plenty and showed their appreciation with loud, spontaneous applause during the showing on Friday night at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination (EBCCI), University of the West Indies, Cave Hill.
Hooper and Plenty were among those involved in the Capstone thesis, the final year dissertation of creative arts students at the EBCCI.
Lifting the curtain on the event, Barbadian-born Hooper told stories of the trials of some who decide to pursue a career in the arts, the naysayers – including even family and friends, the challenges and the positives. The running thread through all presentations was dialogue by two blackbirds on the merits and demerits of pursuing that dream.
Insight
It was emotional, giving sharp insight into some of the problems encountered by those who choose to break from the expected “safe” careers and get involved in culture.
The presentation by the Grenadian-born Plenty zoomed in on one of the bloodiest periods in the history of that Windward Island – the Grenada Revolution, during which revolutionary leader Maurice Bishop was killed.
It followed the story of Anna, a Spiritual Baptist who had flashbacks to “Bloody Wednesday”, October 19, 1983, when Bishop, other government ministers and their supporters were executed at a fort in the capital.
But while Anna struggled to deal with the memories of the turmoil and devastation caused, the young people appeared unaware.
The audience was left deeply moved, and those who lived through the period said it brought back memories of what had occurred.
The night concluded with a special screening of Promo Girl X, a Reiandra Bailey production. (WILLCOMM)
TAKING A BOW: Renee Plenty (second left) with members of her cast.
