Elite Productions will be making its debut at Harquail Theatre with the performance of the 1960s play ’The Rose Slip’, written by Trinidadian Douglas Archibald. Classified as a ‘barrack-yard’ play, this performance tugs at the heart with its depiction of the inner city of Trinidad more than 60 years ago.
Directed by Lesley-Ann Bernard, the production will take an intimate glimpse into the lives and dreams of a colourful cast of characters, who all share the struggle of poverty, as well as their own personal struggles.
“The themes of the play are topical and relevant in our society. We all share the human experience of having to fight to hold onto hope and the realisation of our dreams. Also, there is certainly a need for more Caribbean-focused theatre productions as well as opportunities for local talent to be exposed and developed,” Bernard told the Cayman Compass.
Elite Productions, a new live performance production company, aims to create theatre to engage and inspire the people of Cayman, according to the company.
Its mission is “to see a thriving theatre industry within the Cayman Islands. An industry which consistently provides both Caymanian and non-Caymanian actors the platform for theatrical expression, creativity and work”, the company description noted.
Bernard, an accomplished actor from Jamaica and Cayman, is an educator at John Gray High School. Over the years, she has directed many plays as part of the drama faculty and contributed to many local stagings of productions including ‘Rundown’, ‘Wha Happening’ and ‘Gimistory’.
Most recently, Bernard has collaborated with the Cayman National Cultural Foundation to produce and direct the 2024 Black History month production, ‘Echoes of the Past‘.
‘Voice to the voiceless’
Although written in 1962, the play holds “renewed significance as we are seeing families face the same dilemmas today”, Bernard explained.
Themes of resilience, addiction, mental health, lack of affordable housing, care for the elderly and the struggle to provide for basic family needs will be explored, Bernard said, adding, “The play gives voice to the voiceless through dialogue and action that resonate with immediacy and authenticity.”
The production will feature a cast of nine local actors, including Wendee Miller, Michael McLaughlin, Evana Martinez, Priscilla Pouchie, Brent McLean, Zosia McGregor, Giselle Webb, and two budding John Gray drama students, Esabella Martinez and Rommell Abel Ebanks. The production crew consists of six members, including students from John Gray High School to allow training and development in theatre productions.
Bernard noted the production team has been rehearsing for 10 weeks to bring the play to excellence.
“For a number of the actors, it is their first real opportunity to act in a full-length drama. They are usually seen doing comedy and satire, but now they get to create and develop fully rounded characters who exist beyond what is seen on stage,” she said.
For actor Giselle Webb, she was inspired to get involved with ‘The Rose Slip’, as the play presented “one of the few opportunities to demonstrate local talent in theatre and a great desire to be part of something that is culturally relevant”.
Webb said, “The director is clear in her vision and instructive in the development of characters. We have a group of talented cast members that inspire and motivate. We have great camaraderie on and off the stage.”
Bernard said, it’s a play that everyone can relate to, adding that the production “is much like the play; it’s a dream that requires resilience and a marvel to see it come to life with an amazing team. We hope to inspire and build on with more relatable productions, helping to create a theatre industry in the Cayman Islands”.
Opening night of ‘The Rose Slip’ will be held on Friday, 25 April at 8pm, with two shows on Sunday, 27 April at 2pm and 6pm. Tickets are available at AA Rubis Seven Mile Beach, Red Bay and Eastern Avenue Rubis and online at ticketsplus.ky.
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