Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

“Actions have consequences.” “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” These are some of the messages in the play Bitter Cassava, which played to a sold out audience at Carifesta on August 18. Audiences who missed the Carifesta performance will be happy to know that the play will be performed at SAPA on August 30 and 31.

The play tells the story of Samuel William Blondell, his dark-skinned common law wife Justina and what happens when Blondell throws Justina out of their shared residence, along with their three children, to marry Betty, a red-skinned woman from Port-of-Spain. He is supported by the villagers, who deride Justina and welcome Betty, because of their love for Blondell, the village ram. After being rejected again on the wedding day, Justina commits murder and suicide, staining the yard with her blood after cursing the newly married couple. The play alternates between the present, with the village elder Pa Cefus (Darin Gibson) relating the story to a policeman (Gervon Abraham) who has come to arrest Blondell on Dimanche Gras, and the past, showing the events leading up to that night when the curse was fulfilled. Muhammad Muwakil was powerful in the role of Blondell, a womaniser, gambler and drinker, who reaps the rewards of his actions towards Justina. Tishanna Williams as Justina, and Ruby Parris as Betty, both portrayed strong women who are not afraid to fight for what is theirs. Other supporting characters were Kurtis Gross as Papa Iban and Mavis John as Mother Lucy, and the cast is rounded out by Wendell Etienne, Deborah Maitland, Chantal Baptiste, Tafar Lewis, Anna-Lisa Wickham, Anton Brewster, Triston Wallace, Dwayne White, Cherysh La Touche, Shauntelle Jones, Kelcee John, Britney Jones, and Kerri McNeil. They are supported by Marva Newton on guitar, Louis McWilliams and Wayne ‘Lion’ Osuna on djembe, Alisford Phillips on bass and Girma Daniel on flute, with choreography by Gregor Breedy and choral direction by Lois Lewis.

Bitter Cassava celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year, as it was first staged in 1979, written and directed by Dr. Lester Efebo Wilkinson, who also directed this year’s productions. He said the play unfortunately continues to be relevant to today’s society. Themes of sexism, colourism, misogyny and domestic violence are explored throughout the play. There are very strong elements of folklore and spirituality incorporated throughout the production, which lend to its texture and believability. Music and dance are incorporated to help tell the story and showcase the versatility and facets of T&T’s culture.

 Wilkinson said the decision to move to SAPA for an Independence show was one which had long been in the making. “Since we played in 2016, San Fernando has been asking for the show. But we just could not get there. This year, however, having remounted the play, we felt that we simply could not leave the Southland out. And what better time to play there than for Independence?”

He said audiences at Carifesta were stunned by the power of the performances. “The audience reaction was unbelievable! But it was to be expected. Every player was simply amazing in performance. The dances too were excellent and the music utterly out of this world. One patron said on the way out: “I saw this play four times and I really thought it could not get better, but I was pleasantly surprised. The performance went up several notches. I can’t believe what I just saw. Wow!”

Wilkinson said he was also pleased with the performance, as each performer went above and beyond to create an excellent performance. “The magic was real, and the Cassava never more Bitter. From the opening note by the musical ensemble, through Justina’s tearful, pain-filled existence, right down to Betty-Lou’s sorrowful cri de coeur at the closing just before Pa Cefus delivered his final warning to all about what really happens in life when one plants a bitter cassava garden, the cast and crew wove a spell in song and dance and action that paid homage to our rich Caribbean legacy of the folk recognised so many years ago by the late Professor Errol Hill as a source of inspiration, excitement and magic for our still emerging Caribbean Drama and Theatre. It was an amazing experience and I look forward to sharing it with our audiences at SAPA.”

Tickets are $150 and are available at Atherly’s on Sutton, corner Sutton and Gransaul Streets, San Fernando 652-7373 and SAPA’s Box Office. For more information find the BV Theatre Project on Facebook.