Arts on Sunday

Once upon a time drama and theatre in Guyana were exclusive to the Theatre Guild and vice versa.

The annual performance production Greens and Golds 5 for 2023, under the theme and title “World Dance Tour” enthralled the audience on October 28 last at the Critchlow Labour College. 

“Today we celebrate what you have achieved, look forward to what you will achieve and acknowledge the hard work that has brought you to this point.” 

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

Ode to the Plum Blossom Wind and rain escorted Spring’s departure, Flying snow welcomes Spring’s return.

The Cane Cutter Mid the hot sun, The still winds “Him”, with his pardners Among the long canes, Sunburnt, fire-burnt canes.

Last week, we started a celebration of Guyanese Amerindian art by directing some attention to its origins, history and rise.

In the month when the Guyanese nation celebrates its Amerindian heritage, we pause for a brief gaze at an important part of that heritage – Guyanese Amerindian Art. 

Ol Higue Ol’ woman wid de wrinkled skin, Leh de ol’ higue wuk begin.

The University of Guyana (UG) has had a long association with art, including literature, music and drama, like most tertiary institutions, but specifically with fine arts.

So far in 2023, theatre in Guyana has had some encouraging moments and conditions.

Last week’s 1823 Bi-Centennial Cultural Festival and Concert, one of a series of theatrical events staged by the Government of Guyana to commemorate the 185th Anniversary of Emancipation and the 200th Anniversary of the 1823 Demerara Slave Rebellion, stimulated a brief analysis of African-derived performance traditions and venues in the Caribbean.

On Friday, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport was to have hosted “The 1823 Bicentennial Cultural Festival and Concert” on the grounds around the 1823 monument on the Kitty seawall.

Three short plays of compelling interest were performed on July 28 last at the National Cultural Centre.

Among the national events to mark the 185th anniversary of Emancipation was an effectively packaged theatrical performance titled “August Morning – Opening of the Day”.

It is almost a ritual in itself that every year around the time of the anniversary of emancipation from slavery in the Caribbean, the people of the region turn their minds to a commemoration of African culture.

We have on previous occasions discussed the foundations, history and development of Guyanese literature in these pages.

The dramatic play Anansi by Alistair Campbell will shortly be broadcast on radio.

It is the season of the Commonwealth short story.  The Commonwealth Foundation in London has awarded the 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Overall Prize to Kwame McPherson of Jamaica for his story “Ocoee”. 

The Commonwealth Foundation is scheduled to announce the overall winner of the 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize on Tuesday June 27.