SHAUN BIGGART-HUTHCINSON
Visitors to the Magdalena Grand’s Colibri Ballroom met an air of anticipation on the opening night (April 15) of the Tobago Performing Arts Company (TPAC) production of Dr Lester Efebo Wilkinson’s 1970s-set drama Bitter Cassava.
Ascending a small flight of stairs to a red-carpet-adorned atrium, lined with a sentry-like phalanx of mystical douend, theatregoers entered a foyer decorated with a comprehensively curated exhibition. Featuring framed photographs of the playwright, the TPAC production team and ensemble, alongside information on the show (which could have been collated in a programme) lent an immersive feel, patrons enjoying welcoming, interactive terrain.
Settled into the opulent, spacious, imposingly high-ceilinged Colibri Hall, the near capacity audience – joined by local dignitaries, and the United Kingdom High Commissioner, Harriet Cross – were welcomed by Elvis Radgman, TPAC’s chief executive. Tobago House of Assembly Tourism Secretary Tashia Burris, in congratulating the recently formed arts and culture group, brought greetings from Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, reiterating the assembly’s ambition to establish Tobago as a regional culture powerhouse.
[caption id="attachment_951451" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Blondell tries on the costume he calls ‘Angel of Death’ which he’s making to play mas. -[/caption]
Some may have been unfamiliar with the acclaimed and award-winning production, performed in Trinidad in 2016 and a winner of the Best Village Prize for Playwriting and the National Drama Festival Playwriting Award. Wilkinson’s work is intellectually stimulating, capturing several elements of the Caribbean literary and theatre culture. TPAC’s multi-disciplinary, multi-media effort depicts the vibrant, eclectic tradition – infused with Tobagonian references in this production – in captivating form.
This is a play which marries powerful storytelling with dance and song to share a universal tale of infidelity, betrayal, loyalty and real life – and perhaps supernatural – consequences. Singing, dancing, acting, and enthralling storytelling are offered in this mesmerising production. Sometimes hilarious, often sombre, the protagonists are emblematic of the shifting mood and tone; echoing them authentically.
Several episodic scenes win two acts transport the narrative, in flashback, as Pa Cefus (Akinlabi Holder) recounts the dramatic episode to the local police officer (Levee Rodriguez), each encounter unfolding, unpacking the complex relationships and infidelities of Samuel (Dwayne White Jr), his long-time companion Justina (Kedisha Thomas), and his wife Betty-Lou (Cherysh La Touche).
Calypso, bele dancing, Spiritual Baptist-influenced hymn-singing, and powerful and subtle, nuanced acting deliver a parable with a truly committed, enthusiastic cast.
The set is simplistically and minimally designed, but with sufficient space for the dynamic ensemble to showcase their talents. Flo Spencer’s costumes, bea
