Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Students from Excelsior Community College present 'Running Sour & Sop' at Tallawah, held at Philip Sherlock Centre on Sunday. - PHOTOS BY CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
SUNDAY NIGHT saw the opening of Tallawah 2005 at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, University of the West Indies, Mona. The tertiary level drama competition began with performances from Excelsior Community College, Probemaster Entertainment and Theatre Xpressions.
The competition runs until Friday night and closes on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m with the Best of Tallawah which will include the award ceremony. Michael Daley, Amber Chevannes and Colleen Lewis are this year's judges.
LOW PATRONAGE
Brian Heap, coordinator of the competition noted that there were approximately 60 entries in this year's event. He explained the number had been relatively consistent for the past four years. Despite the high level of entrants Tallawah continues to suffer under very low patronage.
Heap noted that Sunday night's low turnout, may have also been related to the absence of Northern Caribbean University, who are not competing this year. "The problem with Tallawah is the problem with everything else," he said. He explained that it was quite difficult getting persons out to support the competition, even those students living on hall.
SPONSORSHIP NEEDED
"I think we've got this to a level, it needs to be taken a step further," Heap continued. He explained that to get to the next level the competition will need marketing and sponsorship. He also noted that the competitors also need to work with a higher level of professionalism in terms of their sticking with deadlines and committing to the works entered.
On Sunday night there were 10 performances. Excelsior Community College delivered five pieces: two plays - 'Running (Sour and Sop)' and 'Solo Love' and three poems 'Rapunzel', 'Build Jamaica', and 'Work-a-olick'.
Theartre Xpressions delivered two poems, 'Pretty Woman' and 'Xpressive Language'. Probemaster entertainment had three pieces for the night. They delivered the poem 'Loss', an extract from Olive Senior's 'The Two Grandmothers' and the monologue 'What Was I Thinking'.
