ISSUE 1/MAY 2014
10
An estranged couple is thrown back together by the events of a political coup which disrupts the tropical islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Racial differences and deep-rooted prejudices surge to the surface as Rohan, of East Indian heritage, and Elvira, an African woman, confront their pasts. Will they be able to grow past this emotional journey?
We write this piece before the play opens on April 26th and 27th. By the time you read this, Chris - Ann Graham and Vedesh Nath would have already embarked on this emotional journey that would have no doubt left audiences begging for more of the non-stop drama love affair between this couple. Both actors are in their final year at The Academy for the Performing Arts, obtaining their Bachelors of Fine Art in Performing Arts, specializing in Acting.
Dedicated to the arts and striving for excellence, both describe this journey as an “unsteady love affair between two lovers that is going to frustrate the audience allowing them to contemplate on their own marital affairs”.
Written by Marlene Nourbesse Phillip a poet, writer and lawyer, born in Tobago, now residing in Canada and Directed by Errol Sitahal, who as an actor took on the debut role of Rohan in this play this adaptation promises to be moving. Mr. Sitahal has made appearances in Warner Bro’s “A Little Princess” as Ramdass, “Harold and Kumar movies” as Dr Patel,
Kumar's Dad and YTV series “How to be Indie as Babaji” and working alongside him observing the process as stage managers for this production has been an absolute privilege. A highly energized Mr. Sitahal is very excited to direct this piece Coups and Calypsos here in Trinidad and Tobago.
Speaking in an interview conducted with both actors and Mr.Sitahal, Vedesh describes the upcoming performance as “A very important story for Trinidad and Tobago,” he continues “it’s not going to be comical, but knowing ourselves as Trini’s, we always seem to find comedy in everything, but the important thing is that you’re going to identify yourself”.
Topping off that comment with a beautiful smile and vibrant personality that can be felt from halfway across the room of which I sat, Chris- Ann adds “Not only will you identify yourself in this story as it being a true event that occurred here in Trinidad and Tobago in the year 1990, it’s all about how you receive this story and the lesson behind the story and learn from it”
They have both been in the program for the four years of the Bachelor’s Degree and will make history in the growing Academy as the first set of graduating students in the Academy for the Performing Arts which will take place after they have completed their final exam (which will be a presentation of their own written monologues),
Coups and Calypsos
by
Celeste Fortune & Tyler Peloi