One of the oldest theatrical and performance facility in Guyana and the second oldest in the Caribbean is called the Theatre Guild of Guyana’s Playhouse. Commonly called ‘TG’, the theatre guild was founded in 1957 and opened in 1960.
Purpose of Theatre Guild
Over the years ‘TG’ has been committed to nurturing and training of artists across the spectrum of the performing arts in the economy. It is a volunteer non-profit, non-governmental organization in which these commitments were realized in a variety of theatrical production, training and educational workshops including playwriting competitions. The membership is determined to ensure that the younger generations of Guyanese from all walks of life will have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the magic of engagement in all areas of creative arts.
History of Theatre Guild
Before the construction of the playhouse as a theatre the catalytic role was played before by the members of the guild. The activities of the guild soon expanded to include dance and training at both the practical and formal levels. During that time, the managers of the Theatre Guild was responsible for the development, training and education of actors, dancers, directors, choreographers, stage practitioners and some of the foremost Guyanese playwrights. This mission was accomplished through workshops, productions, competitions, particularly playwriting competitions, and scholarships.
Significant Productions held at Theatre Guild
Performance at Theatre Guild | dpi.gov.gy
The Chronicle Christmas Annual 1966 declared that ‘the year 1966 will go down as the year when the theatre in Guyana became established as a movement with the support of the masses’. The performances mounted at the Playhouse was at the forefront. These included an evening of three one-act plays. These Guyanese plays were the three prize winners of the Guild’s play-writing competition the year before.
The plays performed during that time include:
- “Dhanwattie” by John Campbell- The play features a suspenseful recreation of one of Guyana’s most sensational ritual murders
- “Fo’ Bettin’ or Worse,” by Sheila King – This play tells an amusing tale of matrimonial double crossing
- “The Dead Son,” – This was the first prize-winner by Victor Ramraj – It is a well constructed play with some fine characterisation.
Two other plays that were performed include “Guyana Legend” by Ricardo Smith which was a full length musical play and Jan Carew’s “University of Hunger,” which was a hard-hitting, brittle work about a jail break.
The year’s children’s production was “Toad of Toad Hall“, a brilliant fantasy well acted and beautifully costumed.
The two other adult productions were Bertolt Brecht’s “Threepenny Opera,” and “Send Me No Flowers,” an American comedy. “Three penny Opera” was a fine mixture of international talents. The opera was written by the satirist Germans, Brecht, and the music by Kurt Weill. The opera was adopted from the English 18th Century “Beggars Opera.”
The London’s Soho setting was changed to Georgetown’s own, Tiger Bay district by the theatre guild production. This was done by Frank Pilgrim and Peter Anderson who sharpened Brecht’s satirical barbs to suit Guyanese audiences.
Activities of the Playhouse
Along with the actors it was noted that the Playhouse’s activities included performances by the Woodside Choir, the Theatre Guild Dance Group, the Pelicans Steel Band, the Symphony Orchestrations and crowds of children.
In its ‘golden years’ the Guild six major productions were mounted each year. Errol Hill, the acclaimed Caribbean writer and dramatist, once described the Theatre Guild as the most vital theatre group in the region.
Further, the activities of the Guild produced what was to become the most popular form of comic theatre in Guyana. It was the brand of annual satirical revue (now known as The Link Show) which began as The Brink series for which local playwright Frank Pilgrim was mainly responsible. Moreover, the creative, entertainment, educational and societal benefits of the activities of the Theatre Guild were evident over the course of the years. This was in the scope of the skills, knowledge and stagecraft which were imparted by and acquired by the thousands of people who participated as volunteers. They participated in the many areas of the organisation’s commitment to the development of all aspects of the theatre in Guyana. However, in spite of the disrepair, the Playhouse remained strong enough to provide a venue for the weekly Sunday services of a local congregation, and the occasional rental by the School of Nations for the production of their 6th form plays and as workshop space by various groups. These uses and the fees of the dwindling membership covered the costs of the electricity and water bills and a very modest stipend to a resident janitor.
Showtime at the Theatre Guild
A commentator once wrote about the excitement of a production when its showtime. He stated that a signal is given before a play which is the flickering of lights so that both spectators and actors can be in place. An electrifying excitement would occur when the auditorium becomes filled with silence and the curtain rise for yet another TG production.
Achievements of Theatre Guild
The Theatre Guild of Guyana Ltd, also affectionately known as the ‘Playhouse,’ has been nurturing dramatic talent since the late ’60s. The theatre’s tradition of rewarding talented individuals involved in the Arts for their outstanding work was faded into disuse in the early ’70s. It was however revived in 2011 to honour the best performances that were staged at the Playhouse during the year 2010.
Other Awards
The playhouse presents other notable honors in addition to the Theatre Guild Awards. These awards recognize contributions and activities of significance to the dramatical performing arts field that fall outside the framework of the Theatre Guild Awards categories. They include:
- Consistent Coverage of the Arts in the Media
- Current Consistent Service to the Guild by a Non- Guild Member
- Icon of the Arts Award
- Lifetime Award
- Memory of Service Award
A Theatre Guild Award is awarded by the Guild’s Award Committee consisting of members of the Guild. The belief of the guild is that though the successful performance of a play is in itself a reward, the physical award and ceremony that follows is a celebration to give recognition to every performer, dramatists and playwrights who has produced a play.
Contact Information
- Address: Parade Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana
- Telephone: 225 4033
- Website: theatreguildgy.wix.com/ttgg
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Theatre-Guild-of-Guyana-197311843621546/
Ken Corsbie & Friends – Theatre Guild
Article References
- https://zinctop.com/city/theatre-guild-of-guyana/
- https://theatreguildgy.wixsite.com/ttgg/our-beginnings
- https://theatreguildgy.wixsite.com/ttgg/theatre-awards
