'Letters for Emancipendence' gives clear History lessons

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

'Letters of Emancipendence' could be best described as a musical docudrama, offered in motifs. There were seven motifs, each featuring one of Jamaica's National Heroes. While the content may be familiar, the format of each motif varied, from a classroom to courtroom setting. The 'letters' were decorated in colourful costumes, bordered with clear dictions from the Pantomime Company and their guest performers. And they were presented on a flexible set that complimented the open stage of the Little Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Drive, Kingston 5.

The Sunday-afternoon show, however, began with an introductory song titled We Ancestor Dem, sang in typical pantomime fashion. It was followed by the 'letter' of the first heroes. With a sketch of a head shot on a piece of material hung from the back of steps, it was clear that director Barbara Gloudon had no intention to create look-a-likes of the heroes.

After a delightful opening dance, 'Nanny', performed by Barbara Johnson, reiterated her life's story to some villagers. She ridiculed the Redcoats and told them about the signing of the treaty. And for those who do not know, as a result of the treaty, Nanny was given lands known as Moore Town. The songs, Madda Nanny Oh and Dem Tell A Lie, sum up the essence of the Nanny motif.

Daddy Sharp's story shifted to a revival-church setting, reinforced by the long white garb adorned with red sash and head wrap. The scene opened with the song, There's a Meeting, before a well-delivered speech by Kevin Halstead. Again the content was the familiar ones except that perhaps many would not have thought of Sam Sharpe describing any white as "friends in England".

Gordon's fate

Guest performer Kevin Morris gave a convincing testimony in the trial of George William Gordon. High aloft the steps, Gordon spoke of his life story and his achievements. Below, seated to stage right were two females who seemed to represent the cynics. By far the most creatively presented letter, Gordon's story shifted to a letter being received and read by his wife. Then Gordon's fate was nicely summed up in the closing song, Fly Away Home.

The unfortunate incidents relating to the treatment of the Paul Bogle statue in Morant Bay must have been the inspiration behind the staging of the tribute to the man. The presentation began with some humourous but serious banter: "Im black eh, im need to bleach," said one of the characters. With Steavon Thomas showing a model of endurance and concentration as Bogle's statue, Cadine Hall, as the mad man, who still appreciates and understands the importance of the statue to Jamaica's history, tells the story of the hero in dub-poetry.

Manley, Bustamante, Garvey

The second-half of the show was dedicated to the 20th century heroes, Manley, Bustamante and Marcus Garvey. The Garvey story was told in a classroom setting. Students presented their findings of the national hero in poems and songs. It was, by far, the most entertaining motif, and engaged all age groups present.

Of course, what would a tribute to Alexander Bustamante be without the famous baring of his chest and the people singing, We Will Follow Bustamante. And as was the case with all the other motifs, there were some humour and well-known historical facts presented. The individual tributes ended with Norman Manley's story. It was quite evident that Manley's philosophy is till relevant to day's society.

So was the show really a collection of 'letters'? Well, no, in her customary informal interactive welcome, Gloudon explained that the Letters of Emancipendence is one of the children of Augus Mawnin, a concept developed to celebrate the "return of August First to the calendar of National observances." But the use of the word 'letters' was mainly due to the actor's not being able to remember all the lines in the lengthy monologues, so instead they read them. Not that it mattered much. The audience was also given the opportunity to feast on local cuisine as well as see commemorative memorabilia.