By Shauna Jemmott

THE Ministry of Education through the Department of Culture has embarked on a project to rehabilitate the stage of the National Cultural Centre (NCC), much to the joy of several Guyanese producers.They have for some time been calling on Government to improve that area of the historic building.
The Ministry made a call for bidders to submit tenders for the rehabilitation of the NCC stage in an advertisement Sunday.
The cost of the rehabilitation works is estimated at $7,848,648, and producers have hailed the move by Government as a positive step forward.

Popular actress and Director of Artiste in Direct Support (AIDS), Desiree Edghill said though the rehabilitation is long overdue, “I think it’s a great idea for them to do a new stage. If we’re gonna do a stage, let us do a stage in the true meaning of theatre, and have the back cleared away and really put down a proper stage — that would be really welcomed,” Edghill told the Guyana Chronicle.
She called for the restoration of the ‘orchestra pitch’, a special area which was in the past designed for bands. This, she said would better accommodate musical shows.
“They should also do the bottom at the front where we have that black part. That’s where the orchestra pitch used to be, such a beautiful thing at the cultural centre. Those musicals we had, our bands used to be down there playing. Instead of putting them on the stage, they used to go in that orchestra pit right there. We need to bring that back. It used to be such a beautiful thing… at the Cultural Centre those musicals we used to have. Our bands used to be down in there playing,” Edghill recalled.
She added too that the stage’s repair should not just be done at the surface level, but also at the bottom of the stage.
According to the actress, this particular area was popularly called the fish pond at one time, because of constant flooding whenever it rained.
She also suggested that the damaged curtains used on stage be replaced.
“Also I think they need to look at that curtain, the curtain on the stage, not the front of the stage but on the front proper where they have the number one, number two and the number three blacks … those curtains have been there forever. Some of them are torn, sometimes smelly,” Edghill said.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Merundoi Margaret Lawrence shared similar sentiments.
Lawrence is “extremely happy” that Government has considered rehabilitating one of the better and main platforms in Guyana.
She sees the rehabilitation project as the start of the modernisation of both the “practices and the equipment” in the arts.
Lawrence noted that the sound, lights and rigging system must be taken into consideration at this stage of the project, as many question the safety of the rigging system.
While Lawrence also disclosed that there have been some minor accidents backstage at the NCC, she said particular attention also needs to be given to the flooring there and not just the stage.
“The curtains, the whole system has to be looked at. I hope it will be extended to other areas and some of the seats,” the veteran actor told the Guyana Chronicle.
The NCC seating design, she said must now take into special consideration the seating of the President and other dignitaries and greater comfort must be provided in the front row.
Lawrence noted that in the past, dignitaries were seated in a special area in the balcony where there were also side tables. Now, according to Lawrence, though seats and side tables are there, half of the seats fell out.
“The front row is well upholstered but some of the seats are missing. It needs to be upgraded. I’m glad that they’re starting with the stage,” she said.
She also pointed out that the “intercom system is non-existent, unless you bring in your own,” and a proper storage area is needed for props, with ramps installed to roll them out easily.
Lawrence noted that while Government has considered the infrastructure, the technical staff of the NCC needs training and motivation in order to work effectively with producers.
“Sometimes it’s very difficult. They need to have more staff up there in the sound and light room. You have to get the aptitude to work with the producers,” she said.
The producer also pointed out that it is weird that the NCC will be closed during holidays when those are the times the wider working population would have available time to relax and enjoy a good show.
“You need to really modernise the Cultural Centre… I’m happy it’s the start of the modernisation of both the practices and the equipment,” Lawrence said.
Meanwhile, producer Winfield James said over the 30 years he has been producing shows at the NCC, he has never had a problem with the stage, but would appreciate a better microphone system.
“I have never found anything wrong with the Cultural Center stage. The only thing I see is that they should improve is the (microphone) system,” James said.