– results in postponement of ‘Christmas Funtasia’ show
A PUNGENT smell of what appears to be burning wires somewhere in the National Cultural Centre, last evening, forced firemen and the producers to take an emergency decision to postpone the eagerly anticipated “Christmas Funtasia-5”, a production of the National School of Dance.

Around 17:45 hrs, as organisers of the show were busy preparing the stage for the much anticipated event, staff at the National Cultural Centre raised an alarm that “something was burning in the building”.

The Guyana Fire Service was immediately summoned and Administrative Manager of the National Cultural Centre, Mr. Frederick Christian, who was home at the time, was alerted about the development.

Responding promptly, the Fire Service immediately dispatched about five fire tenders to the scene and firemen proceeded to make a search to determine the source from which the ‘burning’ smell was emanating.

Christian, who spoke with this newspaper, said that on receiving the disturbing news, he immediately “raced down to the Cultural Centre” to enquire, and on arrival found that his technical staff, including electrical technicians were working along with the firefighters to get to the root of the problem.

However, even as the odour intensified, their efforts were severely hampered, since the electrical conduits in the building are enclosed in panel walls. It meant, therefore, that it would have been difficult for them to ‘nip it in the bud’. However, they continued to scour the building – searching every crack and crevice, but for almost an hour, the search yielded nothing.

Meanwhile, in the interest of the safety of the building, and all concerned – including, artistes, parents, patrons, staff and organisers, the management at the National Cultural Centre, in collaboration with the fire department, took a decision to postpone the show.

This announcement, made by Director, Ms. Vivienne Daniels of the National School of Dance, brought great disappointment to the scores of children who had turned up, (along with parents and teachers) well prepared, and eager to perform dance sequences for the evening’s show.

Ms. Daniels said that the new date for the show would now be Sunday, December 20. However, their Christmas Party, planned for today will definitely be on, she said.