MEP Caribbean Publishers: Trinidad's Marionettes Chorale readies Bizet's CARMEN

There's some overlap between MEP and the Marionettes. They both begin with the letter 'M'. They're both fierce proponents of Caribbean and Trinidad & Tobago's arts and culture. They also happen to share a few members, who moonlight as performers (and design the sexy poster) when off the media and editorial clock.
And since we already subject our coworkers (and perhaps the odd visitor to our offices) to strains from choruses, arias and ensembles from Bizet's iconic opera, Carmen (which the Marionettes is presenting in July), we figured we might share some of it with you as well!

We've just completed casting for this landmark production, and it's already becoming one of the most anticipated shows of the year (no pressure, right?). It's actually been a bumper year for theatre and performance in Trinidad & Tobago, with multiple shows going on each week in venues across the islands. They've included two full-length musicals; at least two original new plays; a number of recitals, shows and gigs in every genre; the regular gamut of satires and farces... and it's not even May yet! An arts-loving country in a year where performers and producers seem to be blossoming in abundance?


The Carmens: Candice Alcantara and Lesley Lewis-Alleyne

“We received an overwhelming response to our unprecedented open auditions last month,” explains Marionettes Artistic & Musical Director Gretta Taylor (and, well, my mother). “The calibre of talent from artists based locally and those who have been working and studying abroad has been incredible. Too often we forget how talented and beautiful our people truly are.”

No joke. The breadth of talent at the auditions has produced two complete casts of singers, many of them multiple Championship winners at the Trinidad & Tobago Music Festival. In fact, there was enough talent to fill another cast or two – would that time and finances permitted.

The Don Josés: Marlon De Bique
and Nigel Floyd

The title role of Carmen will be performed by Candice Alcantara and Lesley Lewis-Alleyne, while Marlon De Bique and Nigel Floyd assume the role of love-sick corporal Don José. Arnold Phillip and Marvin Smith double as the bull-fighting toreador Escamillo, while the US-based Natalia Dopwell and Feryal Qudourah play the dutiful Micaëla.

The four leads are supported by a stellar cast of singers and actors: Nigel Pierre and Richard Pierre as Zuñiga; Arnold Phillip and Garfield Washington as Moralès; Jacqueline Smith and Ayrice Wilson as Frasquita; Patrice Quammie and Llettesha Sylvester as Mercédès; Kashif Dennis and Stephan Hernandez as Dancaïro; Raguel Gabriel and Errol James as Remendado; and, well, me as bawdy inkeeper Lillas Pastia (interestingly, Lillas can be played by a man or a woman...)

The Escamillos: Arnold Philip and
Marvin Smith

The award-winning vocalists and Marionettes chorus will be joined by an orchestra comprising both Trinidadian and British instrumentalists, fusing the best of traditional Western instruments with the steel pan. Indeed, it is the first production of Carmen to feature the island’s national instrument. This will be the second Trinidad performance for the British musicians who return to after joining the Marionettes for our 45th anniversary celebrations two years ago.

“There is a lot of excitement all round,” says the madre. “We had a wonderful experience with our visiting British string players in 2009. Our members learned so much from them, and they were completely stunned by the versatility of the steel pan and our musical traditions. We look forward to another cultural exchange with them, and to sharing the stage with the visiting vocalists as well.”

The Micaelas: Natalia Dopwell and
Feryal Qudourah

In addition to being the first production of Carmen featuring the national instrument, the steel pan, Carmen also introduces a new partnership between the Marionettes and the University of Trinidad & Tobago (UTT). The Marionettes has been working closely with accomplished vocalist and educator, Dr. Vertrelle Mickens, on various aspects of the production.

The Marionettes is also partnering once again with its sponsor of 39 years, bpTT, as well as with the Noble Douglas Dance Company Inc (NDDCI), and a decorated production team including Celia Wells, Margaret Sheppard, Randy Halfhide, Frank Agarrat, Leslie Clement, Maureen Clement and Giselle Langton.

We're excited, for sure. And for better or worse, our MEP colleagues can't help but notice.

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