School of Drama celebrates Actor Boy Awards Nominations as they open new Play “El Numero Uno”

El numero Uno Edna Manley College

The School of Drama continues the tradition of excellence with  seven (7) Actor Boy Nominations including best costume and set design for the production ‘DOG’ written by former Director of the School of Drama Dennis Scott as well as best ensemble cast and best Children’s Theatre for the play ‘Plastic Things and Butterfly Wings’.

The School of Drama since its inception has remained an integral part of the development of Caribbean theatre and remains the only one of its kind in the English Speaking Caribbean.

As part of its drama course, “Children Theatre Workshop,” the School of Drama produces a play for young audiences, annually. This year’s production is El Numero Uno, was written by Jamaican/Canadian poet and playwright Pamela Mordecai.

“This the seventh children production I will be directing, with the students in that course,” Pierre Lemaire, director of the School of Drama, said, “And, this year’s production will be special, as it is being mounted as part of the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA).”

“The title of the play, “El Numero Uno,” gives the impression that it has Spanish connections; however, it is quite the opposite,” Mr Lemaire, states. “It has a lot of French in it, having been written and performed in Montreal. However, the names of the characters, such as Ti Jacky and Ti Lapin, could easily come from St. Lucia, Haiti or Guadeloupe.”

A fable, “El Numero Uno” is set in a rural Caribbean community, with a mysterious forest; and the characters are mostly pig and rabbit farmers. The story is about an orphan pig, Uno, raised in an orphanage, under the tutelage of an old chef, who is teaching him how to cook and create special recipes that can cure different ailments.

This is the fourth production since the start of the 40th-anniversary celebrations in October 2016. El Numero opens on March 10, with performances on March 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19.

2016 marks a significant milestone in the college’s history. It marks 40 years since the amalgamation of the schools of visual and performing arts which prior to 1976 were being operated autonomously. A series of celebratory activities which commenced October 9, 2016, will culminate with the Rex Nettleford Arts Conference October 2017. The College celebrates 40 years under the theme: Inspiring Creativity, Impacting Lives.