Autumn Update
Nico on Sep 18 2007 at 12:20 pm | Filed under: Annoucements, General Theatre, Productions
It’s been some time since we’ve been in touch, and in that time we’ve been using the blog to keep readers up to date on various theatrical happenings around The Bahamas and the Caribbean.
However, autumn (fall) is just a week away, and so we’re coming out of our summer hibernation and beginning to work on the very first Winston Saunders Repertory Season.
The projects we’re working on for the not-so-distant future include:
One more revival of Winston Saunders’ You Can Lead A Horse To Water
We’ve had several members of the new cast leave us — most of them have gone away to school — and so we’re going to have to replace them; look for auditions coming up soon. But we want to start the Saunders Season off with a tribute to Winston. What better tribute than his greatest play?
When it’s mounted, ladies and gentlemen, it will be your LAST CHANCE to see You Can Lead A Horse To Water live onstage for some time. We’ll keep you posted. Clear your calendars!
Production of Nicolette Bethel’s New Play, The Children’s Teeth
Yes! Finally!
Nicolette Bethel’s “new” play (finished in 2003) is on our calendar for production during the first Winston Saunders Repertory Season. The story is about Haitians, Bahamians, and the spaces in between. Look for auditions and readings later in the season. We’ll keep you posted, for sure.
International Exchanges
We’ve been approached by two off-island writers of Bahamian/Bahamian themed works:
That Bahamian T’ing, by Robin Belfield
This play, written by British-Bahamian Robin Belfield, recounts the story of Robin’s father, a Methodist minister, who meets his future wife in The Bahamas. It’s currently on tour in Britain, starring Bahamian actress Dana Ferguson, and we’re still working out how to get it here. Look for it in the not-so-distant future — but in the meantime, here’s something to think on:
Nuffield Theatre: “We are delighted to revive THAT BAHAMIAN T’ING for a short run following its sell-out performances in the studio in 2006.
Summer 1975. Across the battered clapboard room our eyes met – hers dark, gleeful, with a kind of innocent wickedness, and mine startled, beaming out foolishly from my fresh and oh so English face!
Based on a startling true story, THAT BAHAMIAN T’ING takes us down the trafficless roads, and onto the unspoilt paradise beaches of the Bahamas. Carnival and Christianity hold plenty of surprises as the new young preacher from England learns there’s more than meets the ear to those old Caribbean tales… And always, not far away, the intoxicating drums of Junkanoo!”
Mariah Brown, by Sandra Riley
Sandra Riley, longtime Bahamian historian, writer of the 1980s book The Lucayans, supporter of the Green Turtle Cay Heritage movement, is the writer of a one-woman play about a Bahamian immigrant to Florida round the turn of the century. Ms. Riley has been in contact with us, and we will be looking at producing Mariah Brown as well.
Challenge: We Need Theatres!
Our biggest challenge, it goes without saying, is finding a space in which to work that is both affordable and adequate for the needs of full-fledged theatrical productions. Nassau has lots of halls, but is severely challenged when it comes to theatres! The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, which most of us called home during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, is in real need of renovation, and its overheads make it an expensive venue in which to mount a serious run. The College of The Bahamas Theatre is nearing completion, but it’s still currently a dream. And theatres are one thing, but what’s even more crucial is rehearsal space.
If there’s anybody reading this who’s an entrepreneur at heart and not afraid to take risks, and is interested in partnering with Ringplay in the development of new and affordable theatre/rehearsal space, let us know! Seasons can’t be developed in spaces that are designed for weekend rentals — they need round-the-clock attention. The demand is certainly there, if costs can be kept reasonable. Trust me — you won’t regret it!
It is with much regret that I am unable to be a part of this most memorable event. However I do expect that who ever it is that fills my place for the short term does BOSS justice. I love you all dearly and do look forward to seeing you soonest.
Bobby
Rehearsal Space, what about the use of the National Dance School facilities, there seems to be quite a lot of Space there.
There’s a lot of space there, but it’s a dance school and is in use for most of the year.
When Ringplay productions are in rehearsal the schedule is tight — 4-5 rehearsals a week for four weeks at a time (nightly from Monday to Thursday, and Saturdays). This is too much time to demand at the Dance School.
Bobby just up and left like so eh? Did you stop to think of how much your voice will be missed in Horse? Just kidding. Just stay in contact with your friends and fans.
Anways Nico, I was sooooo excited to hear that you were reviving it one more time because I could finally get to see it without any job commitments keeping me away or any travels to the great cold north. Good luck and please let me know if there’s any way in which I can help whether on stage on getting the word out again.
Take care,
Arthia
PS Are there any college rooms or school auditoriums/gyms that might accomodate everyone? With the amount of actors hiding out in education, I’m sure they can rotate rehearsals.
Oh yeah.. and the church near central bank has a large open space too.. how about that?