THE results of the National Drama Festival (NDF) which were announced at the National Cultural Centre last Monday were viewed as flawed and biased by some who participated and one actor has even called for the removal of Chief Judge Al Creighton.But Creighton has since said that he stands ready to defend the judging of the competition and that the results were fair.

Mr. Ron Robinson’s play “Miriamy” won and was tied with “The Legend of the Silk Cotton Tree” directed by Sonia Yarde.

Speaking with the Chronicle on Wednesday, actress Sheron Cadogan-Taylor, who entered the competition with “Till ah find a place 1”, and won third place, said this year’s festival was the worst of all.

“We have had differences of opinion and incidents of bias in the past, but this year it was so blatant and disrespectful; it’s beyond anyone’s imagination for a festival, one that should be nationally acclaimed based on standards and credibility.”

The second place prize was given to the play that tied with Mr. Robinson’s.

Taylor said it has become laughable that the NDF cannot even attract viewers to the National Cultural Centre anymore despite entry is free of charge. This, she opined, is a result of the populace losing confidence in the festival.

“If they get one thing right this year, they get ten things wrong the next, and deliberately so,” she said.

“When the Chief Judge can look me in the face and say to me that I should not be upset because…I had won the Festival on three occasions in the past that tells you that the judges have no problem rewarding mediocrity over quality, especially as it relates to the Open Full Length Category.

“What it told me personally is that no matter how good my productions are henceforth, I will never be awarded accordingly because I won before, and that is indeed sad. That is the level to which our Drama Festival has sunk,” Taylor stated.

After nominations came out, Taylor said Mr. Robinson penned a letter to the committee voicing his concerns about those that were selected. She therefore believes that in an effort to pacify Robinson, his play was tied with the other.

She continued that she has been a pioneer for the festival over the past years and has tried to encourage her fellow actors not to give up on the festival with the hope that it will get better.

“I have handled every unfair decision meted out against me in the past with dignity and decorum, not even speaking anything negative against the festival or the judges, but I am afraid that it was my mistake because they seem to have taken me for granted, as clearly depicted in this year’s results. I will however continue to write, direct and produce, but I would not be a part of the festival until I can be sure that drastic changes have been made to ensure fairness, credibility and all other requisite components befitting a national festival are in place.”

Taylor congratulated her fellow actors, directors and producers who were also awarded this year and noted that she did not wish to lash out at anyone.

AN ‘UGLY’ SYSTEM

“But this was to highlight of a system that has allowed itself to become more and more corrupt with each passing year. The Ministry of Education and the major sponsor – Digicel, should ask themselves whether this is what they desire of this NDF.”

Other local actress, Leslyn Bobb-Semple who also spoke with this newspaper, said it was time for the entire NDF committee to have a new set of members.

She accused the Chief Judge of micromanaging each play although there are other judges who would be sitting at the same table but not saying a word.

“Sometimes you hear people whispering, ‘Did he just watch the same play I did?’…He comes across as biased and has favourite plays that were worse than some others that made it to the finals. And this is like a slap in the face.”
Bobb-Semple said she is very hurt that she puts in a lot of work into her plays but is not acknowledged.

“It’s like you’re wasting your time. I took on the role in Miriamy very late in the festival, about three to four weeks before, and with very little rehearsal, we pulled it off. And not even getting a mention because I’m not liked or because someone didn’t want me to win is a slap in my face and on my talent and I resent that.”

Bobb-Semple said it is her belief that the person at the helm of all of this is the Chief Judge. “And I would like to put in a request for his removal since it seems to me that his professional views on theatre have been compromised.”

Meanwhile, NDF Committee Member, Margaret Lawrence did not wish to comment on the issues raised and referred all questions to the Chief Judge.

JUDGING WAS FAIR
In an invited comment, Creighton told Guyana Chronicle that he can surely defend the judging of the NDF and that the nine judges on the panel were all strong, intelligent people who think for themselves.

“The judging was done fairly. The decisions were not always unanimous but in the end, we went with the majority.”

Creighton said there is a system in place that the judges use and if those complaining can come up with a better system, that will work better, then he is quite willing to listen.

“The judges saw all of the plays and so were able to compare them. Did those questioning see all of the plays? What makes their judgement better than the judgement of the panel?”

Asked to respond to the words uttered by Ms. Taylor, Creighton offered that Ms. Taylor implied that there was some sort of bias against but said her that it couldn’t be true as she had won three times before. It was in this context, he said he spoke to Taylor.

With regard to the letter that was penned by Robinson, Creighton said that letter reached long after the judges had made and documented their decisions. In fact, he said the orders were sent to Trophy World long before the letter reached him.