Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 21, 2013 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Culture recently bade farewell to the Poinciana Theatre Productions who will be performing in Suriname for the eleventh annual Carifesta celebration.
Minister responsible for culture, the Hon. Marcella Liburd noted that dance groups, folklore performers and music bands normally participate in these events and expressed her delight that a different art form is being represented.
“We are very happy that it is a theatre group that’s going to Carifesta because it is one art form that we really want to promote,” she explained.
Minister Liburd commended Loughlin Tatem, founder of the group, for his hard work and dedication to the art form and conveyed her strong belief in him and the cast.
“I know Mr. Tatem very well and what I’ve seen from his productions, I know that they will represent us very well,” she stated. “We expect them to have rave reviews; we expect no less than rave reviews. As ambassadors of the country we expect them also to promote St. Kitts and Nevis in Surinam so that we make great waves there.”
Mr. Tatem stated that the group has been in existence for over fifteen years and has set a standard for themselves which.
“They (Suriname) know what we can do,” he remarked. “They’ve seen evidence of what we are capable of and they think we are quite competent. We will live up to the standard. … “We do many things in St. Kitts. We are often called upon to perform for delegates from overseas coming in to have seminars. Sometimes when Government groups come in from overseas we are called upon by the Ministry of Foreign affairs to perform. They are quite satisfied with what they have seen.”
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Culture Sharon Rattan explained why the theatre group was selected.
“They have been doing quite a bit using theatre to spread positive messages. So we thought we would give the small group the opportunity to feature the work that Mr. Tatem has undertaken and the talent that he has honed in this group of persons.”
This is the first time a drama group has been selected to represent St. Kitts and Nevis at Carifesta.