THE National Drama Festival 2013 opened at the National Cultural Centre Monday with stirring presentations by participating schools.

Monday marked the beginning of three days of activities as schools showcase their plays before an esteemed panel of judges. Lucky schools at this level will be able to rake in a spot at the final segment of the event that will be hosted in the near future.
When the schools presentations would have been completed over the three days period, the organizers will then move unto the adult segment that will showcase some of Guyana’s more talented and experienced dramatists.
Speaking at the event, organiser Godfrey Naughton indicated that for the past six months his committee engaged in a stirring countrywide programme reaching youths and laying foundations in those communities. He said that they were able to lure youths from all walks of life who had all shown an interest in the field of drama.
Naughton said that several workshops were also held and over 700 youths from all over Guyana were touched by drama. He said that coming out of those workshops; several ‘real life’ issues came to light and plays were created by youths to reflect instances of child abuse, domestic violence, absentee parents and other concerns.
He added that during this time the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports had taken great pains to ensure those involved were taught proper stage use, and use of lights, concluding that the National Drama Festival should be regarded as a ‘Guyanese experience’.
In his brief address, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam noted that his ministry greatly valued this engagement and has been involved in all aspects of it through their Allied Arts Department. He noted that the winning school at this leg of the drama festival would be representing Guyana one month from now at the regional level in Barbados.
He said that from the involvement in the festival, students have been able to develop skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. Mr Sam related that as a result, students have become more articulate and balanced, and have been able to foster critical and positive thinking.
He said that it is indeed a positive move now that the arts is being introduced at the CSEC Examinations, and expressed pride at a batch of students who recently took the theatrical arts aspect of the examination.
Culture Ministry’s Dr. Frank Anthony, in his address, said he is elated that the third edition of the festival has started, and emphasised that he expects a better festival this year with all the efforts that were put into it by the parties concerned.
The minister expressed the hope that schools partaking in the Literature syllabus would teach using drama as a medium of effective learning. Minister Anthony indicated that through the arts, youths can develop a better holistic balance, emphasising that drama should be considered as important and of great value.
While the Culture Ministry has donated a funds into making this venture a reality, the minister expressed gratitude to Digicel and other entities who have contributed in cash or kind towards the success of the event.
Dr. Frank Anthony revealed that a School of Theatre and Drama is being conducted at the NCC presently, informing that the first batch of students have graduated from the institution only recently.

Entertainment
Taking to the stage yesterday was the Ascension Secondary School with a brilliant play dubbed, ‘A flower without Petal’.
The audience were visibly stirred as talented students brought to life the story of a teenaged girl and boy who are made to work at age fifteen, by a wicked and abusive stepfather and are not allowed to attended school regularly.
An intervening aunt took matters to the police but received no justice there so she decided to take things in her own hands, even more so when the poor girl tearfully related that she was sexually abused by her stepfather.
Well like they say, ‘bad men should never sleep’. And this was the case with the stepfather who fell asleep in the home after having his fill of the young girl, and beating her brother.
Sending the sobbing child and her equally tearful mother to the police, the aunt visited the home and as luck would have it, found the stepfather asleep and snoring.
The NCC was in an uproar as she rained blows on him with a piece of wood. She was soon joined by the young girl’s school friends who assisted in the beating before he was handed over to the police.
The plays concluded with a resounding bang, as the players called on the authorities to intensify efforts to eradicate child abuse and domestic voilence.

(By Alex Wayne)