NDTC endures

Chester Francis-Jackson, Outlook Writer

In a country branded 'a land of samples', in that very few things ever survive the initial fanfare of its presentation, sometimes it's quite difficult to appreciate those things that have survived the 'sample' stage. When that thing is a product that requires the input and cooperation of several others to ensure its survival, the task becomes even more onerous.

By nature, generally we are a people given to individualistic pursuits. Arguably, this accounts for and contributes to the successes Jamaicans have racked up in individual disciplines on the international stage over the years, as, given the opportunity, the natural competitive nature of our people rises to the fore and so we shine!

Well, imagine the Herculean task of not just forging an idea that required the synergy of different components and individuals, but the harnessing of the talent of those individuals, and then channelling it into a national institution. Such was the monumental task and achievement of the late Professor Nettleford on the eve of Jamaica's independence, that he set out on the arduous task to form the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC).

Cultural references

At the outset, precious few thought the idea of a wholly Jamaican company, using the folk music, oral storytelling, and earthy traditions could be anything but a failure. For these critics, their cultural references was to ape the ballet and other classical pretensions of their former colonial oppressors. Nettleford, though, belonged to that very rare breed of early Jamaicans, who, in fighting for independence, sought to set up Jamaican institutions to capture and celebrate the uniqueness of the Jamaican spirit and experience. And in this respect, like Norman Manley, his wife, Edna, son Michael, and Edward Seaga, Nettleford proved a true champion in helping to forge the new Jamaican identity in arts institution building and the empowerment of the majority, regarded as the underclass. To his credit, he did so unflinchingly, and from a position of disadvantage, as he was an outsider!

Well, two Fridays ago, the NDTC opened its 49th season of dance, with a spectacular mix of the old and new, at its 'home', the Little Theatre, on Tom Redcam Avenue. Dears, it was a night of which Jamaicans can be truly proud. Not only was it steeped in the very essence of Jamaica then and now, but the performance captured the very soul of Jamaica without pandering! Forget those who still hanker 'for the good old days of colonialism', as this performance would have been lost on them. Here we are talking of the spirit and essence of Jamaica, in song, dance and character. It was exemplified in costumes, style, manner and the players themselves. It made for a wholesome production as against a cast of 'marasmic' types, singing in tongues unknown; dancing in period costumes of a foreign land in unknown prose and alien characters.

Remount

From the opening lines of Drumscore, with tenor Carl Bliss' voice filling the theatre, it moved to Minutes and Seconds - a new addition to the company's repertoire choreographed by Kerry-Ann Henry and Momo Sanna, performed by Henry and Marlon Simms. The NDTC Singers performed a suite of songs, capturing the essence of the Jamaican experience in real time and parody, and that was followed by Barre Talk - a remount from 2006. Unlike Drumscore and Minutes and Seconds, was quite an athletic bet, drawing heavily on the relation between the dancer and the exercise bar, that led into the intermission. There was nothing but cultural authenticity here and it made for captivating theatre! Upon resumption, the opening piece was The Thin Line, choreographed by Natalie Chung. It is the season's find, a seminal piece that is clearly destined for the halls of greatness, as is young Kamar Tucker, whose prowess and raw talent rose to the fore in this debut by the clearly talented Chung, opening night jitters and all.

Cry of The Spirit, (1996) choreographed by Gene Carson, and performed by Alicia Glasgow and Keita-Marie Chamberlain, emphasises one of the beautiful aspects of religion - the fabulous music it has bequeathed the world. And with beautiful music to inspire them, both dancers transported their audience from their mundane seats and unto the stage as they titillated, captivated, enthralled and persuaded in the eloquent language of dance. And then there was Gerrehbenta, choreographed by the late Professor Nettleford and first mounted in 1983. 'Gerreh', as the piece is lovingly referred to, is one of the Nettleford's signature pieces. It is a marriage of styles and musical forms and instruments from differing ends of the island, but essentially is endowed with the spirit of traditional celebration more associated with the jonkanoo, but is at the core of rural life!

Gerreh was opening night's finale, and saw the dancers in tandem with the singers and musicians closing out the performance in colour, style and form, hinting at a season in the early stages of its expected bloom. And with works such as The Rope and The Cross, Blood Canticles, Ancestral Images and Freedom all being remounted this season, y'all know, it ain't over till it's over. This is truly a season of multi-visits to bask in it all and with the season continuing until August 21, dears, season's tickets are definitelty in order.  

The occasion was truly a family affair as not only was the NDTC immediate family of past performing members and supporters out, but the extended family and friends of current performers and choreographers, along with an august body of dignitaries made for a very special outing. Among them were Opposition MP Dr Peter Phillips and wife, noted attorney Sandra Minott Phillips and their sons Luke and Jacob; Ambassador Burchell and Jolene Whiteman; Professor Sir Roy Augier; Susan Alexander; Douglas Graham and wife, former NDTC prima dancer Melanie; the esteemed pan-Africanist Sister Samad; British High Commissioner Howard and Gill Drake; French Ambassador Marc-Olivier Gendry; Belgian Ambassador Frederic Meurice; Chilean Ambassador Alfredo Garcia Castelblanco; Brazilian Ambassador Antonio DaCosta and family; former Head of the Jamaica Defence Force Major General Robert Neish; Rev Dr Ralph Hoyte; celebrated photographer Maria LaYacona; Dr Hopeton Dunn and wife Dr Leith Dunn; head of the Planning Institute of Jamaica Dr Gladstone Hutchinson; Dr Molly Wallace; noted attorney John Graham; the charmingly elegant Sandra Glasgow; Brian Heap; the charming Nancy McLean; choreographer Tony Wilson; Christine Bell; Glen Case; Sandra Shirley; parents of fab dancer Stefanie Thomas, Carl Thomas and the charming Winsome Minott; Derek Rose; Carmen Patterson; the affable Tommy Ricketts; the lovely Lisa Lewis; patron of the arts Patrick Pitter; Nicki Wilkins; playwright Aston Cooke; Jeanette Campbell; Roger Hinds; Kerry-Jo Lyn; designer Courtney Washington; Paul Morrison; Carol Lawes; Leighton Mullings; Gervaise McLeod; Audrey Nembhard; Marlon Thompson and Michan Ormsby.

Headlining the NDTC family were former dancers: artistic director Barry Moncrieffe; Patsy Ricketts; founding NDTC member Bert Rose; Dr Monika Lawrence; Bridgette Spaulding; Sheryl Ryman; Delroy Rose; Judith Wedderburn; Arlene Richards; Neila Ebanks; Karyn Johnson; Alison Symes; and the fab Natalie Chung; plus several others.