Drama Society Returns From Tour
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from May 1973.
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True to form, rehearsals for the Society's next production
ROTARY from P. 6
resulted in a disproportionate emphasis being placed on the development of the intellect-or more precisley, that part of the intellect which relied upon the memory, and the expression of it through linguistic ability, continued Mr. Persad.
"The system of instruction offered in schools is suited to the tastes and aptitudes of only a few. It has neglected the development of the imagination as well as the manual and sensory skills at various levels", he said.
"Except for a minority of children specially gifted in language, the rest often find their school education uninteresting and uncreative. The school does not therefore call out the best in them, and they do not take full advantage of even the limited opportunities which it offers", he added.
It was necessary to re-define the relationships between secondary, and elementary and university educations, which was a difficult problem to tackle anywhere in the world, he said.
The I.Q. (Intelligence quota) was no longer regarded as infallible, and there was a greater readiness these days to recognize the need and the flexibility in the uncertain years which divided primary and secondary education. Mr. Persad discussed the various schools of thought in various countries on secondary education reorganisation, and many of the proposals which had been presented over the past fifty years.
In concluding, Mr. Persad said "We must urge and demand the very best for our children. We must motivate them, and help them find a purpose in living. It is only by so doing that we can leave a legacy, a heritage and a country".
Introducing the speaker, Rotarian Eddie Balderamos, gave members a brief history of Mr. Persad's career. He had been born in Trinidad where he attended the Debe Presbyterian School, and graduated from the Naparema College in San Fernando.
He commenced his teaching career in 1936, and was for ten years in charge of adult education. He occupied the position of tutor-supervisor for in-service teacher training for fifteen years, and retired in Trinidad in 1966.
Married, with nine children, Mr. Persad came to the Cayman Islands in 1971 to take up this present post. went into full swing immediately following their return.
Auditions were held on Monday evening and rehearsals started on Tuesday.
Despite the enormous success of "Love's a Luxury" and several adverts and press releases regarding the next play "Black Comedy", which, one would have thought would have stimulated new membership, auditions were poorly attended except by the old faithfuls.
Consequently, casting was very difficult; nevertheless new faces will be seen as well as old when the play is staged in June. The new cast comprises the following people: Tony Staples, last seen in "Worm's Eye View", Anne Smith, one of the Society's founder members but who has never been given the chance to act before, Val Morgan, whom the public have not seen on stage for eighteen months.
A new arrival on the island, Jim McClure displayed obvious talent in portraying Colonel Melkett, the part in which he was cast and it is hoped that he will remain with the group for a long time. Welcome Jim!
Keith Ball will needeless to say revel in his new character part of a North Country antique shop owner with homosexual tendencies.
Jill Knights will be making her second appearance on the Cayman Stage as will Lionel (Sir Lancelot Spratt) Davner and "Skip" McSorley.
As the play lasts approximately 1hour twenty minutes the first part of the evening will be handled by the very capable Cayman Folk Group under the organisation of Andrea Rhodes. So if all goes as planned another thoroughly enjoyable run should be had by all, audiences and participants!
