The arrival of the cast and crew of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre’s production of “King Lear” was met with much fanfare this past Monday. Representatives of the Cultural Development Foundation and The Saint Lucia Tourist Board, as well as a large number of local media personnel converged on the Hewanorra International Airport to welcome the British thespians to what will be the final location of an expansive tour that has covered much of Europe and the UK.
At a press conference held on site, the Chairman of the CDF, Mr. Petrus Compton, spoke on the significance of “King Lear,” “I have been asked numerous times of the cultural significance of King Lear. King Lear in Saint Lucia means locals involved in a number of aspects of the creative industries will have the unparalleled opportunity to learn from this world class group of actors and directors. It means that in the very near future, we may be able to tout not only Joseph Marcel as a noted Saint Lucian thespian. King Lear in Saint Lucia means, in short, growth.”
Speaking on behalf of the SLTB, Public Relations Manager John Emmanuel echoed Mr. Compton’s sentiments of the potential for growth held within the hosting of international scale productions “This year, we couldn’t advertise and say please come to “O, Starry Night” or come to “King Lear”, but the possibilities are infinite for coming years. We now have another viable resource to market alongside our world class hospitality and distinguishing features like the Pitons. We can now say come to Saint Lucia and enjoy world class theatre and that is huge! Nowhere else in the region is staging offerings like this.”
Joseph Marcel, noted Saint Lucia thespian and lead in the production spoke on the excitement of performing for audiences in his homeland, where until this juncture he has never performed, remarking in creole ”You know, many people leave Saint Lucia and go to America, or Canada or the UK, but they always think of home fondly. I am home.”
King Lear kicks off its 4 engagement run in Saint Lucia on August 21st at Fond D’Or Nature Reserve, with subsequent shows at the Gaiety on Rodney Day on August 23rd and 24th. Tickets are available at The Cell outlets island wide and at Sunshine Bookshop in Rodney Bay.
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