TWO Fridays ago at the National Cultural Centre, the Kiddicrew Theatre Company, led by June Frederick, presented excerpts of their production-in-progress, the 1968 “Legend of Tom Fool” by Roderick Walcott with music by Charles Cadet, and arrangements by Barbara Cadet. The play has never been performed.
In a dinner-theatre type setting, the audience were reminded again, or some learned for the first time, of how unique St. Lucian theatre is. Derek and Roderick Walcott, McDonald Dixon, Kendel Hippolyte, Stanley French, Allan Weekes and others, especially in their plays that draw on the folklore of St. Lucia, have established a unique tradition of Caribbean theatre.
The excerpts presented by young actors were very, very well done. Directed by Michelle Theobalds with support by dramaturge Kendel Hippolyte, and other dance and music coaches, the drama was absorbing, entertaining and of a high quality. And these were only two excerpts to which the audience was treated!
The event was an attempt by June King Frederick to raise financial support for the staging of the full production in March 2015. Barbara Cadet was also on hand to entertain guests with her saxophone renderings of Cadet’s classic music.
In an atmosphere where traditional theatre is under pressure by all kinds of forces, including increased costs of production during a lean financial season, June hopes to present to the St. Lucian public for the next five years, unperformed plays of Roderick Walcott.
In the audience was Charles Cadet, our musical icon who has composed many popular songs in English and Kweyol, alongside his prolific work for the Roderick Walcott plays.
Congrats to the talented cast and director (s) and the public can look forward to the full play next year.