‘When I Think of Trinidad, I See It in Technicolor’: A New Music-Theatre Work Takes the Stage · Global Voices
<PERSON> as title character <PERSON>; photo by <PERSON>, used with permission.
Jab Molassie, a new work of music-theatre that is a modern, Caribbean take on <PERSON>'s nearly century-old The Soldier's Tale, premieres this Thursday in Trinidad's capital city.
The play's titular character, <PERSON>, is one of the most enduring characters of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, portraying what is known as “devil mas”. <PERSON> costumes are typically very simple: the horns and tail are sculpted out of wire and covered with fabric or plaster of paris. Most Jab Molassies carry chains and a pitchfork and douse themselves with grease, mud, or red and blue paint. They produce a frighteningly commanding rhythm with tin pans and whistles, while dancing suggestively (or “wining” in local parlance) in a hypnotic performance — usually on the streets of the city during the annual Carnival celebrations.
The Little Carib Theatre in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Photo by <PERSON>, used with permission.
Now, thanks to the Calabash Foundation for the Arts, a non-profit created to provide both funding and developmental support for new and original theatrical works in the twin island republic, the Jab Molassie will take to the stage at The Little Carib Theatre, a long-standing bastion of artistic integrity in the country. It is not the first time a Jab Jab will grace the Little Carib's stage, but it is the first time that it will do so as one of the main characters in a music-theatre production, with an entirely original score created by a Trinidadian composer.
What is also unique about this new work is the level of global collaboration it has received from some of the best creative talent in the industry. Inspired by the poetic parlance and vibrant culture of Trinidad and Tobago, American Double Bassist <PERSON> wrote the libretto. Award-winning, London-based playwright and director <PERSON>, who has Jamaican roots, is directing the production. British conductor <PERSON> is on board as musical director. 264
A group of exceptionally accomplished musicians from all over the world comprise the Jab Molassie orchestra, while the cast boasts some of the best local performers whose strengths include everything you would expect in a work of music-theatre: singing, dancing, and acting.
Jab Molassie's librettist, <PERSON>. Photo by <PERSON>, used with permission.
In this post, Global Voices continues its conversation with the librettist, <PERSON>, and the composer, <PERSON>.
Global Voices (GV): How do both of you think this indigenous stage production benefitted from international collaboration?
<PERSON> (CK): I would turn this question around and say how has this American author and double bassist benefitted from collaborating with local artists…my best answer is when my father asked me why on earth would I want to leave London for Trinidad I said, ‘When I think of London I see it in black and white and sepia tones and when I think of Trinidad I see it in technicolor.’
Dominique Le Gendre (DLG): This production has only been strengthened by the collaborations: the musicians who played for the workshop were of the highest calibre possible and some of them were way beyond our expectations. The piece itself makes demands of everybody, taking both the performers and the musicians out of their comfort zones, so that everyone involved has to go beyond themselves. To do this, the singers need help with their singing from someone who can combine the best that a classical training has to offer with our own performers’ talents. The professionalism and generosity of all of these collaborators can only be a bonus because of what they add to the performance. <PERSON> as conductor and <PERSON> as director both bring skills and expertise that we do not have here in Trinidad. If we are to really achieve our fullest potential in any realm, we must collaborate with the best people so that we learn from them and raise our own professional standards.
<PERSON>: Tell us more about the choice of <PERSON> as director. What has she brought to Jab Molassie?
CK: <PERSON> is a very fine writer, as well as a director with over 30 years’ experience. She has been wonderfully supportive in allowing me to have a voice in the workshops and rehearsals for the premiere. I am incredibly grateful for her generous spirit…not all directors take kindly to writers’ notes!
<PERSON>: I have worked with <PERSON> for over 15 years in London. 550