Hundreds turn out to witness ‘BVI In Times Past’ at HLSCC
![Legislators enjoy a scene from the play 'BVI In Times Past' at the Eileene L. Parsons auditorium. [L-R] Hon. Delores Christopher, Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool, Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe, Hon. Kedrick D. Pickering, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_l_Legislators.jpg)
The play took the audience through a cultural journey of epic proportions as it vividly captured a "BVI of yesteryear" in its most comedic form. The audience remained hooked through each scene and sat or stood attentively through each act of the play as it progressed.
For many in the auditorium, there was barely any standing room as persons turned out in their numbers from all parts to witness the play, even as others were turned away due to the fact that there was no room left to accommodate additional persons.
Playwright, author and poet, Janice A. Stoutt, set out on a quest to encourage Virgin Islanders to understand their history and culture in an effort to help shape a mutual destiny. The BVI In Times Past is a welcoming reminder of this, emerging as a monumental feat above par.
The play in large part, depicted the roots of Virgin Islanders’ history and culture, their struggles and the way in which elders of the community reacted to various scenarios that many do not face in the society today.
It highlighted specific elements of the community as it existed back then such as its deeply spiritual aspect, its close-knit nature, hard working heritage and exceptional manners.
Particular attention was drawn to the solid family structure that existed back then, with men being held as the breadwinners of society, women being homemakers and children as obedient followers under the ever present eye of the rod of correction.
The use of language was as fascinating as it was funny and patrons were drawn in by the wit and humour of the characters forcing bouts of uproarious laughter to be emitted at regular intervals.
Other elements that were highlighted included the migration of Virgin Islanders to St Thomas and Santo Domingo in search of honest work as villagers sought to eke out the daily grind of making ends meet at home through troubling times.
The play was first staged at the Agape Total Life Centre 14 years ago but was now making its first public debut by popular request.
Hon. Deloris Christopher, an instrumental force behind the overwhelmingly popular Festival of Arts, expressed that she was overwhelmed at the response to the Festival of Arts thus far and in some regards it has indeed exceeded her expectations. She recalled the opening ceremony of the Festival in particular and noted that the response itself was overwhelming while adding that the quality of the work was also very outstanding.
“I think people were really elated about it, the persons who came to that ceremony, not expecting to see the level of work that was on display…” Being able to witness the work on display of numerous other artists who were not the most visible in the community was a feature she considered to be particularly striking.
Hon. Christopher explained the deliberate design of having elements of the Festival spread over a period of time, “that was for a purpose,” she said “it was to get the build up, to get people prepared, to get the community because in the beginning community was not so much of what you’re trying to do, of what are you’re trying to bring out or what the objective really is.”
Reflecting on the culinary event held last Thursday, she felt that persons have caught on by now considering that it received a very good response. “The funny thing,” she remarked, “was how everyone was asking for (the events to be repeated), ‘let’s do more, let’s have it for two days’.”
She felt the response to the Festival of Arts was indicative that it was long overdue and related, “I know, that when we get to the next time… you’re going to be blown away…” Hon. Christopher also hinted that the sister islands are also expected to see more of the activities as well.
Committee member of the Festival of Arts and Deputy Director of Culture, Mrs Brenda Lettsome-Tye expressed that the response from the community has been fantastic.
Commenting on the evening’s play she said, “To have a local playwright put on a play about our history and where we came from and our roots as Virgin Islanders and watching the development of where we came from, how we got where we are and the importance of the struggles of our elder people which is being portrayed on the stage right now and having the community come out with such force… with standing room only literally inside, I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
She was hopeful that the future held an opportunity for cultural activities contained within the Festival to be presented throughout the entire year and around the Territory as well.
Additionally, she expressed happiness at the incredible turnout by youths of the Territory, “they’re finally getting it, we’re finally reaching them… I make a joke that my generation is lost, we have to capture the ones coming up, and it’s actually very thrilling to see as many young people and the parents brought their children because they may not be able to articulate the story themselves but clearly, sitting in there tonight, the story is being told to their children for them… it’s definitely a wonderful thing to have as many young people inside watching our history unfold at the stage at this moment.”
Luckily though, a promise was made to have another production of the play held-over on a date to be announced, offering many an opportunity to witness the incredible performances that graced the stage.
MC for the evening, Keith Dawson, said, “based on popular demand and special request, and the overwhelming turnout for a taste of Virgin Islands culture we will be proud to present an encore performance of tonight’s presentation, 'BVI In Times Past', as soon as a date can be arranged.”
He expressed that tickets for persons who were turned away will be honoured and thanked everyone for their patience throughout the evening.
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22 Responses to “Hundreds turn out to witness ‘BVI In Times Past’ at HLSCC”
When Myron put on something none of us show up...go figure people...time to fire Myron he is a divisive person and a liability to the government.
Oh yea good play but I had to stand all night…bigups Janice Stoutt
It is well known that Myron always blowing his own horn, as if nothing good was ever done in culture until he became Minister.
That we the people and even former Ministers like Fahie, Parsons and Black find very disrespectful.
What has Myron done? Beside good speeches, victimization (evil lil rat) and empty promises.
He needs to show we the people statistical data that proves he has improved education, culture and can represent people here and overseas.
It would be nice to know if the author was influenced by JR O'Neal's book about his early life and other oral histories and, though I hope to see it in its second time around, I wonder where the story got left. If it opened the door to promoting the Disney kind of development as a natural progression, or if it was left with individuals asking the hard questions of continuity.
Congratulations on a job well-done. I hope parts of the show travel around to different community centres for those who couldn't make it to the college. Bring education to the people.
So was it a harder time or a more idealistic time? Were people really starving or were they growing vegetables, and animals, fishing? Did they have an effective farmers market? Also, churches mattered more than most do now. Families were more nuclear than they are now. Was it a better or "harder more deprived" life, I'm not sure. It was definitely safer, more predictable with rules and norms... So what have we lost and what have we gained by today's chasing after the holy grail of luxury, finance, megayachts and city-fying the place? Just posing the questions.
Howver I was very concerned about the overcrowding, there were many standing and extra seats in the aisles.
The college or organisers should never sell more tickets than there are seats. Im sure the fire dept and the insurers would have been horrified. A fire in there would have meant many casualties.
Thats vip lack of vision again building such a small building in these times. where critic? to the a$$talking about myron, the play was written by stoutt not delores and if u did see the play you would see how many so called indigenous people really came from anguilla, st kitts, antigua and other places. the stevens, vanterpools etc. from vg are considered us but where they from? harrigan, hodge etc. hush your dumb a$$. i never hear nobody harping on where juggy was from when he was elected. nobody studying ayo ignorant a$$.