Dominican Playwright, Alex Bruno, is promising another great production as The Hidden Treasurers of Batibou, his latest production, kicks off action this weekend.
The play is presented by Téyat Pawòl from May 29 – 31 and is the official play for Dominica’s 2015 festival of Arts (DOMFESTA) celebrations.
“So if you miss it on Friday you can see it on Saturday, if you miss it on Saturday you could see it on Sunday, but after this weekend the play is no more. That’s why we ask people to come out. It is a live play, it’s not a movie,” he told Dominica News Online.
The Hidden Treasures of Batibou is a suspense theatrical drama set in a rural Caribbean community in the mid -20th century. The story surrounds buried treasures from centuries before, which is being viciously guarded by the spirit of a golden donkey.
Bruno explained that in the play selfishness and greed take center stage as a particular individual and her accomplice from a close-knit community with knowledge of the existence of the Batibou treasures, try desperately to recover the riches.
The person who unknowingly possesses the treasure is being stretched to the limit by the scary schemes and devious tactics employed by the treasure hunters. Fear, panic and even death ensue; the audience is taken on a thrilling journey in the rediscovery of the hidden treasures. This theatrical drama breaks away from traditional convention in many respects; it is a modern hunt for ancient treasure, told in two acts and fourteen scenes.
Though largely fictitious, Bruno said that the play presents the issues of the acquisition of treasures by examining certain aspects of community life in a most inquisitive way and there are lessons to be learnt from the characters’ given circumstances.
The treasure hunt is interspersed with and around certain folkloric beliefs and traditional expressions and practices. The writer, Alex Bruno, says: “your idea about buried treasures may be forever changed following this play, but even if it doesn’t, enjoy our efforts anyway.”
The play runs from May 29 – 31, 2015 at 8:00pm at the Arawak House of Culture in Roseau. Tickets for the production can be purchased at Bull’s Eye Pharmacy in Roseau and Picard for $25.00 in advance.
The Hidden Treasures of Batibou is Téyat Pawòl’s 19 productions since 2001. The new production, ‘Divided We Stand,’ will be staged in the near future.
According to Bruno, the inspiration behind the play came from folklore and folk tales of yesteryear as it relates to the Batibou area.
“So the inspirations came from the stories that I have been told growing up as a boy in the areas of Calibishie,” he said.
The Batibou area is located in the Calibishie area and is now called the Hamstead Estate.
The characters and players are: DAMAI: – F (50’s), a strong headed woman with a tongue of fire (played by Marja Jeffers); ZAZYE: – F (69), a long-time shop keeper – Coco fè’s wife (played by Rashida Gachette); SEA WHISPERER: – a spirit from the sea played by Lovaly Williams and Primrose David); PREZI: – M (60’s), a trickster (played by Immanuel Andrew); IGNATOOS: – F (50’s), a chatterbox/instigator (played by Rachael Jno. Baptiste); COCO FÈ: – M (60’s), a fisherman (DAMAI’S “boyfriend”); BIM BIM: – M (30’s), Coco Fe’s son; YEVETLYN: – F (16), DAMAI’S Daughter (played by Kerdisha St. Louis-Lowe); THOMPSON: – M (40’s) – DAMAI’S brother and the village ‘smart mouth’ man (played by Shanon John); FR. BATTY: – M (70’s), a Roman Catholic Priest (played by Shanon John) and ET: – F (40’s), a live-wire (played by Liana Prince).
This is beautiful and all dominican I love it, I and my wife will be there. We must create our own future, I hope all dominicans come to support their own shakespear.