Alma Mock Yen, C.D., Contributor
Members of the Ashe Ensemble perform during the opening of the ICC 2007 Cricket World Cup at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium on Sunday, March 11. -photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Professor the Honourable Rex Nettleford has already given his assessment of the recent International Cricket Council's (ICC) Cricket World Cup opening ceremony in Florence Hall, Trelawny.
As he holds pride of place as ?senior partner? in the area of critical evaluation of things cultural I must concur with his evaluation. This is not simply because of his status in the field, but because, given the constraints against which its preparation developed, the opening ceremony was a marvel and minor miracle that came off as handsomely as it did.
To what constraints do I refer? What, if anything, might have ameliorated the situation?
I have heard comments that larger numbers were needed to adequately fill the expansive Greenfield grounds; that the lighting could have been better; and that the first section was a bit long.
To those critics it should be explained that the electricity supply gave out and the show was run on a generator supply, a serious glitch that was overcome reasonably well.
The opening would undoubtedly have benefited from a larger cast, but the increased number would have entailed more complex logistics and finances than were possible, given the country?s pressing priorities.
Voluntary support
Nevertheless, voluntary support could have been tapped to take full responsibility for certain small areas of casting.
As to the length of section one, many requirements from overseas and local sponsors and media had to be satisfied, hence the length. As a matter of good taste, however, one questions the relevance of the song Night Nurse on the programme.
The most serious constraint was the time factor. When one considers that China, in preparation for the Olympic Games in 2008 is already running dress rehearsals, then one wonder how on Earth did the trio of L?Antoinette Stines, Bert Rose, and Monica Lawrence achieve what they did in just under four months.
The discipline they learned from their participation in the rigorous world of theatre kept them afloat even when things seemed to be becoming unbalanced, even sinking. Should that not provide a hint to our education administrators to encourage the discipline required for more drum corps and theatre groups in schools, mounting performances allied to the literature syllabuses as well as more and better training for the teachers of dance and physical education precision drills, with mandatory application of those courses in all levels of the school system?
After having sat through rehearsals of the opening ceremony and prayed silently for them as I watched, amazed at the patience and determination to succeed of Rose, Stines and Lawrence, one will understand how totally enchanted I was to see the finished product when sound, colour and precision blended before the eyes of the world.
Only one omission bothered me. Where was the steel band? The steel pan is the only new musical instrument to emerge from the 20th century. It?s a fascinating thing. It is Trinidad?s signature emblem. We have a steel band at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and I?m sure they would have been willing to appear if asked. So where was the steel band? Where were the pans?
For all that, the moment at Florence Hall was a time of a lifetime. I feel happy and honoured to have been there.
Congratulations to all and any, who in large or small ways contributed. Congrats! Well done! I ?big you all up? ! Congrats again !
