The Barbadian delegation treated the small but appreciative crowd that gathered in the Queen’s College auditorium on Saturday night to an impressive production of Kamau Brathwaite’s Odale’s Choice.
The play, which was directed by Sonia Williams, is regarded as a re-interpretation of the old Greek play Antigone written by Sophocles.
The play portrays the determination of the protagonist Odale (who is played by Rashida Harding) to bury her dead brother against the stipulations of her uncle the tyrannical ruler Creon (played by John Hunte). The law says that Odale’s brother, Tawia, is a traitor and consequently is not allowed a proper burial but must be left to rot naked in the open as an example to others in the kingdom. She attempts to bury him one night but is caught by the soldiers who are guarding his body. When taken to the King she is sentenced to death but later has this decree overturned. After seeking permission to bury her brother, she leaves the kingdom committed to doing this.
According to the play’s director, one of the main themes is the importance of self-determination as a community. In the play, Odale’s resolve to bury her brother is supported by members of the community, including individuals within Creon’s household. Other prominent themes are the evil of tyrannical rule and female empowerment.
The dramatic presentation included a thirty-two member cast, including a few Guyanese, who participated in several of the dance sequences in the play. The majority of the cast, however, comprised students of the Creative Arts BFA programme at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill.
Overall the quality of acting was good especially the efforts of the lead actors Rashida Harding and John Hunte. The dance scenes were memorable because of the colourful costumes, energetic performances as well as their cultural and dramatic significance.
The Barbadian delegation is expected to hold a second dramatic performance called Going for Love tonight at the Theatre Guild. This play is written by Glenville Lovell and directed by Algle Yearwood. There will also be a dance presentation titled Ba(Mark McGorbados in Dance which will be hosted at the National Cultural Centre at 5 pm tomorrow.
