Dear Editor,

LONG before I worked with Clairmont Taitt in a production, I knew of the famed Woodbine House or Taitt House (now Cara Lodge) on Quamina Street and its contribution to nurturing and producing many artistic talents in Guyana. Many, not with us anymore and a few are still around to share their memories. Ken Corsbie is with us, one of the old crowd.

In 1989, the then Unites States Information Services (formerly JFK Library) in Guyana sponsored the staging of the play, ‘Long Days Journey into Night’ by Eugene O’Neil in honour of the notable American playwright’s 100th birth anniversary.

It was produced by The Theatre Company, directed by Ron Robinson. The cast was Clairmont Taitt, Margaret Lawrence, Gordon Marshall, Jasper Adams and Maya Trotz. It opened at the Theatre Guild on Thursday, May 18th, 1989, with a gala performance in aid of The Theatre Renovation Fund and ran for five nights.

Clairmont was a quiet and reserved actor whose presence was hardly noticeable except when he was on stage. His sterling performance in this production earned him the Best Actor award by the Theatre Arts Award. That was his last production in Guyana.

In 2006, the Michael Gilkes production “Last of the Redmen” produced by GEMS Theatre Productions and starring Michael Gilkes, was staged in the Ballet Room of Cara Lodge, then taken on tour to St. Lucia, Trinidad and Barbados. The production in Barbados had a combination of Gilkes on stage, Ken Corsbie as set designer and Clairmont Taitt as Music Director. I experienced another facet of his talent of this son of the soil. Needless to say, those were memorable days of the theatre industry. An era gone by… is it recoverable! Farewell Clairmont from all those who had the opportunity of working with you on or off stage.

Yours sincerely,

Gem Madhoo-Nascimento of Gems Theatre Productions
And Co-Founder /Director of The Theatre Company Ltd (1981-2001)