Secondary Schools segment sees exceptional performances

THE National Drama Festival segment for secondary schools ended Wednesday on a high note, with two schools offering exceptional performances in plays that touched on social issues affecting the nation, to which the audience could relate.

The audience on the day in question was treated to two performances, which started at 10:00hrs and concluded just before 14:00 hrs.
The first play, entitled “The Lost Hope”, was written by Ms. Taneka Caldeir and was performed by students of the West Demerara Secondary School.
This play chronicles the story of a young girl who, after both her parents died, was left in the care of an aunt. After some time, the aunt began to resent the responsibility placed on her, and decided to prostitute the young girl to a businessman she knew.
The neighbours noted the girl’s unhappiness and notified the Child Protection Agency, which promptly arrived with the police, arrested the evil aunt and her accomplice, the unscrupulous businessman.
The play ended on a positive note, with a song and a dance to signify the girl’s redemption.
As the name of the play suggests, it is about never losing hope, no matter how dire one’s situation may appear. And, judging by their enthusiastic response, the audience got the message and will apply it in their own lives.
The second play is a work by playwright Jean Kingston, and was entitled “I should’ve known”. This play, which started off with a brilliantly illuminated scene, made use of mime and other imaginative theatre techniques, which are not normally used to great effect.
The theme of the play was the prevention of HIV/AIDS, the deadly sexually-transmitted disease for which there is currently no cure, and hence it stressed the use of condoms.
As we all know, this disease affects not only adults, but anyone who engages in unprotected sexual behaviours, including students. Therefore, it is a timely reminder to all of us to be diligent, and to always protect ourselves.
According to the playwright, she was inspired to write the play after observing students who, because of the minibus situation, are unable to get a bus to take them home after school. These youths while remaining stranded at the minibus park fall prey to older men frequenting this location, and ultimately become infected with the HIV virus through these liaisons.

(By Jimmy Roos)