Theatre arts festival launched

This year, the Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG) Theatre Arts Festival will see performances from five groups.{{more}}

The Festival was officially launched last Monday, September 30, during a press briefing held at the Ministry of Culture conference room in the Methodist Church building at Granby Street.

Drama development officer Martin Quashie said that November is known as the month of drama in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

He said that this year, the groups: Division of Nurses Performing Arts Club (DONPAC), the Police Drama Club, the SVG Community College Performing Arts Society, Remnants of Gideon and Agape will entertain persons who choose to go to the Peace Memorial Hall at Richmond Hill.

The Agape Methodist dramatists will start the ball rolling on Friday, November 1, with their play called “Stone”. They will also do performances on November 2 and 3. Their play is about life beyond the grave and threatens to scare patrons, according to group member Pastor Caldon Charles.

On November 8, 9 and 10, the Remnants of Gideon will do “Broken Circles” which is a story of forbidden love and selfish ambition; and on November 15, 16 and 17 the SVG Community College Performing Arts Society will perform “Mother Knows Best,” which will show patrons how far a mother will go to protect her family.

The Police Drama Club will do their play on November 22, 23 and 24. Quashie said that this group has not yet named their play.

On November 29, 30 and December 1, the Division of Nurses Performing Arts Club (DONPAC) will give patrons “Scandal Exposed”. This play will speak about subjects like infidelity and homosexuality and their consequences.

Speaking during the launch, Omari France, representing sponsors BOSVG, said that the Bank’s continued sponsorship of the Festival shows that they are committed to the development of youth and the creative sector.

He said that the country is filled with talented young people and the BOSVG Theatre Arts Festival is one of the ways to showcase talent, while it is one of the most attended festivals in the country.

“This is a very good product that we can develop further”, said France, who encouraged persons to “come out and see the plays; you will have fun as they are usually very exciting”.

During the launch, the groups taking part were presented with funds from BOSVG that will be used to stage their performances.