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GALE THEATRE PRESENTS PLAY ON CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST SCHEDULED FOR BRIDGETOWN OPENING IN APRIL

GALE THEATRE PRESENTS PLAY ON CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST SCHEDULED FOR BRIDGETOWN OPENING IN APRIL

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A play that showcases Dr. Martin Luther King as the man as well as the icon opens at the Frank Collymore Hall on April 11th, 50 years following his symbolic ‘I have a Dream’ speech at the Lincoln Centre.

The Gale Theatre of Barbados and London will mount this award winning play for its 2013 season that will tell the story of Dr. King’s last night on earth. The two person performance will highlight the philosophy of the Gale Theatre, which is uniting talent, as it combines the acting talents of Richard Pepple – a British actor, with that of Barbadian actress Keisha Pope. This unification of talent and cultural exchange starts with the two Directors of Gale Theatre – London born Melissa Simmonds and Barbadian born Peter Lewis.

Entitled “The Mountaintop,” this run will be the Caribbean premier as it first opened in London on the fringe some time ago, then it played on the West End before moving on to Broadway. Producer Melissa Simmonds has been trying to get the rights to the play for the past three years. The Methuen Drama is quoted as saying that ‘the play is a dramatic feat of daring originality, historical narration and triumphant compassion.’

Will Gale Theatre ever seek to do an original All-Barbados Play? (L to R) - Peter Lewis, Director; Keisha Pope, Actress; Melissa Simmonds, Producer; Hanna Berrigan, Director; Richard Pepple, Actor and Amanda Cumberbatch, CEO Tiger Eye T.I.E.
Look forward to when Gale Theatre attempts to spearhead an original All-Barbados Play… (L to R) – Peter Lewis, Director; Keisha Pope, Actress; Melissa Simmonds, Producer; Hanna Berrigan, Director; Richard Pepple, Actor and Amanda Cumberbatch, CEO Tiger Eye T.I.E.

An added plus for opening night attendees is that Olivier Award winning playwright Katori Hall from Memphis will be in Barbados to attend the Caribbean premier of her play compliments the US Embassy and Republic Bank who are sponsors of the Gale Theatre and the work that is being done by the Company. She will conduct workshops for 10 specially selected young Barbadian writers on April 10th while on island. These workshops will take place at the Frank Collymore Hall.

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3 responses to “GALE THEATRE PRESENTS PLAY ON CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST SCHEDULED FOR BRIDGETOWN OPENING IN APRIL”

  1. Stephen Avatar

    Pleased to see high quality theatre on the island. It’s good to have a mixture of international/Bajan culture in our theatres. It’s not so easy for island folk to visit the West End/Broadway to witness the best writing and acting from around the world.

  2. Kupa Avatar
    Kupa

    so are you saying we dont have high quality theatre in the island? and exactly what is ‘high’ quality theatre anyway? please explain Stephen

  3. Stephen Avatar

    @Kupa – high quality is probably the wrong phrase. Instead of constant slap-stick, it’s just nice to see West End/Broadway standard plays on our stages. It’s good to international plays as well as local culture. We don’t see enough of the international plays here. Imagine; The Mousetrap has been playing in the West End for 60 years; it would be great to see it here.

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