Guyana has advanced considerably on the Caribbean stage, from being a place where everything arrived last after already established in the major countries, to setting trends of its own. While the technology, the international contact, the serious advancements in high-level training are still way ahead in Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados, Guyana now has a busier schedule and more theatre than all except Jamaica.
Guyana is therefore now favourably placed among this top grouping in the region. However, Guyanese dramatists are not aware of the unique value of some of the trends and practices that they have developed. One of these was a concomitant factor in the development of drama in the country, and something not quite seen in the other territories. It is something that has certainly played a role in the regional ascendancy and general improvement.
This unique factor is the National Drama Festival (NDF). Yet Guyana has allowed this gem to become inactive. It has not been seen over the past two years. The nation’s dramatists seem to have accepted its absence as normal and appear comfortable with it. The last NDF was held in November 2017 and up to now there is no sign of its return.
