Dec 2012 - High Commission for the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago ...

Feature
THREE Trinidad
Sisters
Anton Chekhov’s classic play Three
Sisters was born because he
wondered about the lives of the
Brontë sisters. Yet his finished work is set
in early 19th century Russia, instead of
Yorkshire. A fact that perhaps makes its easy
adaptation to pre-World War I Trinidad much
less shocking since the cavern between
the book’s inspiration and Chekhov’s
incarnation was so vast, yet works so well.
This particular production deals with the matter
of middle-class alienation and a longing for that
which no longer exists. As a rehearsed reading
there is the potential that a lack of a set could
prove too distracting for the audience. Under
lesser hands it could prove too difficult for the
audience to suspend the necessary disbelief
required to truly engage with the characters.
Not so in this case. These 3 women could
actually be sisters. Not simply because of their
looks. Their interaction on stage was completely
natural. All credit to Martina Laird, Indra Ové and
Renee Castle for making us believe.
Dr Margeret Busby
Talks C.L.R. James
Dr. Margeret Busby shared her expertise and
unrivalled knowledge of C.L.R. James; the man
and his work during a seminar at the Culture
Fest.
Dr. Busby discussed James’ seminal work
Beyond a Boundary. She also read from his
novel Minty Alley and invited others to talk about
James’ work and impact.
Volume 61 43