By Tamica Garnett

IMPRESSIVE performances from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had many attendees, including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, singing the praise of its annual ‘Night of Carols’ that was held last Sunday night at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe in Eve Leary.
Performances like the spirited rendition of the Christmas Calypso ‘Take A Drink of This, Take A Drink of That’ by Rural Constable James Gordon, and ‘A’ Division’s Constable Michael Small’s flawless delivery of Charles Brown’s ‘Please Come Home For Christmas’ left the audience enthralled and glad they came.

“Extraordinarily beautiful night! I might have come before, but this one really was something with a difference,” Minister Nagamootoo said at the show’s end.
“This was like a first-class theatre show. And I think the Police Force would do well to take this show around the country. It was peaceful, and so enjoyable. I’ve discovered amazing talent in the Police Force, in the choir and in the individuals,” he said.

The PM attended the event with his wife, Sita; while other dignitaries present for the night’s event included Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Karen Cummings, and Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams; Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix; Former Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud and Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire.

The production was the result of two weeks of practice and rehearsals, choreographed by Band Mistress Charmaine Stuart, who was elated with the pleasing reception by the audience.

“It was awesome! Because I know it was well accepted. Every single day we did rehearsals from December 2 leading up to this evening,” Stuart said.

She noted how pleased she was with the response from staff when requests were sent out inviting persons to participate.

“I sent out messages to all the Regional Divisions and Departments, asking persons to report at the Band Room from December 2, so we can start our rehearsals. And I assessed them to decide who was suitable for the programme this evening. Even though we had Christmas caroling around the place, we still found time to do rehearsals, and to ensure it was as excellently presented this evening,” Stuart noted on Sunday after the show.
Commissioner of Police Leslie James commended Stuart for her work on the production, and thanked all those who came out to spend an evening with the police.
“We need to give a round of applause to our emcee for an excellent job. And of course our choreographer, Mrs. Stuart. Mrs. Stuart has single-handedly choreographed a nice programme. We gather here once annually where the GPF, in our own style, usher in the yuletide season. And we are very appreciative for your presence here tonight in numbers, and we are very happy for your attendance,” James said.

James also took the opportunity to issue a word of caution on drinking and driving this Christmas season.

“We’ve heard the song, ‘Take A Drink of This, Take A Drink of That’. If you have to drink this or that, please do so moderately. We started ‘Operation Safe Road’ on Saturday, so watch out! If you have to drink and you drive, you will be in contact with my staff on the roadways,” James warned.

The evening featured some 26 items that included band and solo performances by staff of the GPF. Many were deservingly awarded with prizes for their performances.
The evening opened with a performance of “Bugler’s Holiday” by the Police Military Band, and closed with a fusion of performances by all the bands and singers of the evening that gave a fitting close to the concert.

The audience, many outfitted in their December best, was also given a chance to do some singing of their own, with community singing of “While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks at Night” and “Ding Dong Merrily on High”.

Following voting by the audience, Constable Small was awarded $25,000 for winning the individual category, while Gordon won another $50,000 for his performance.
Gordon’s lively calypso performance had many in the audience tapping their feet and swaying along in their seat. The upbeat momentum continued when he was followed by a delivery of “Merry Christmas” by Special Sergeant Ronald Green.

The “Santa Ladies” won ‘Best Band of the Evening’, taking the $200,000 prize that went with the award. The Military band, Steel band, and String band, which also performed for the evening’s event, were already awarded separately for their participation.
Emcee of the evening Delon Fraser was also not forgotten for his wonderful chairing of the programme, and for that he received $25,000.