SS Uprising

It's countdown time and we only have a few weeks left before we leave Trinidad for good, 37 days to be precise. So much to see and do before we leave. We are trying to cram in everything now, trying to fit it all in between school, work, visit to Toronto and of course the dreaded packing. Not to mention the kids wanting their friends to all come for a sleepover. I am running out of weekends!!!! Still to see the turtles- doing that next weekend at Grande Riviere, Dave still to go diving, not sure if that is going to happen!

We were treated to a lovely performance at the Queen's Hall on Saturday. The Lilliput Theatre was performing their annual school performance. We had gone to see Adunni and Orishola perform, Adunni being Jasmine's best friend here in Trini and Orishola's Adunni's younger brother. The performance was called SS Uprising, and it was loosely based on Moby Dick I think, but never having read the book, I don't know, maybe this should spur me on the read a few more classics. The play was performed mainly by the older children. There was a sea captain and his crew, Captain Nakked? He was meant to be Scottish and the girl playing him had an almost perfect English accent. As the Lilliput theatre was attended by kids of all ages, the main play was interjected by short dance performances by the younger children, all dressed in sailor costume, some more elaborate with carnivalesque masks and headgear.

The dancing by some of the older children was modern contemporary and I saw a lot of yoga and Pilates in the moves, LOL, it was also very Ballet Rambert, looked effortless and graceful with clean lines and interesting formations. It was not all modern though, there was a flavour of the Caribbean in the dancing throughout, a bit of winding, palancing and chipping.

All done with flair!

I have nearly forgotten to mention the singing, and there was a lot of that too. I particularly enjoyed the rap the kids sang as they introduced themselves, as crew and mates of SS Uprising. The captain was a mean guitarist and did a solo rendition of The Proclaimers' 500 miles, but changed it to fit the play, "and I will sail 500 miles, to catch that whale" LOL.

Here's a write up from the Express Trinidad and Tobago.... I have no other pics as we were not allowed to take any pics or videos of the performance.

practice makes perfect: Members of the cast rehearsing for the show. -Photos courtesy Lilliput Theatre

Out on the open ocean, in the middle of nowhere with a seemingly mad captain and a sense of trouble brewing, the crew of the SS Uprising shipped out thinking themselves whale-hunters, but are now about to discover the rest of their surprising story.

When their captain finally reveals himself after days in seclusion, the crew is already uneasy; at sea since hoisting anchor with no leadership beyond an unstable first mate, they need direction. The captain appears, but the sight of him in this state does nothing to calm their fears.

Tensions already run high with the third mate jockeying for a more elevated position and the first mate on the edge of losing control. Lower down the ranks are whispers of trouble, of dark forces threatening to capsize the Uprising if on-deck battles don’t sink her first. This motley crew of wanderers, warriors and fugitives may depend on each other for life and limb on the water, but each brings personal baggage on board, even those trying desperately to leave it on land.

When the wild-eyed captain tells this crew what they’ve truly shipped for, what his secret desire is, what their mission is, will the first mate press mutiny?

Does the crew know enough of their fearless leader’s shrouded past to foresee their future if they follow?

Does the captain offer enough reward that drunken sailors don’t care?

As they close in on their elusive prize, the last thing the SS Uprising needs is the storm rising around them

Lilliput Theatre’s SS Uprising brings different histories together, placing traditional sailor mas at the centre of a classic story. The young performers inhabiting this crossover world tell tales of dreams versus obligation, expectations versus reality, exploring what drives them and what it takes to make it on the sea.

-Elisha Efua Bartels

Mitch and Jas came along, and Mitch was prepared to be bored, but he amazed himself by enjoying it so much he posted something about it on FB! The sound and light effects were good, thunder and lightning and the music. The musicians made the play come alive....

It's also election day here today, Vote for Change, I hope the Trinidadians vote wisely and that true democracy rules!