Ward Theatre - a shameful reminder of our negligence

Jaevion Nelson, Contributor

It is unimaginable that an important piece of our history as the Ward Theatre, which was built in 1912 by Charles James Ward, the custos of Kingston, is left to shamefully highlight and remind us of our negligence, with its shabby appearance.

What was once a spectacular building - supposedly "a Jamaican landmark and a showcase for the nation's culture" - is now a sore to the eye as it rots to nothingness with each passing day.

Throughout our history "the Ward [Theatre] has been the major centre for the development of all Jamaican theatrical activity since 1912" (The Ward Theatre). Tour companies, including the Australian National Ballet, the European Community Chamber Orchestra, the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem performed there. For many years, the National Pantomime, which usually opens on Boxing Day, December 26, was held there.

I remember going there for the pantomime before it moved to The Little Theatre on Tom Redcam Avenue. In fact, my last use of the Ward Theatre was in 2003 for the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Music Festival, while a student at Clarendon College. I loved The Ward; the architecture is breathtakingly amazing and the acoustics is superb. There aren't that many places in the country like this.

The Ward Theatre is an important site where several entertainment establishments have been situated over the years. According to Jessica McCurdy Crooks (in Suite 101), "From as far back as the 1770s, that site was consistently used for various theatres. Before the Ward Theatre there was the Kingston Theatre, which was destroyed by fire. This was followed by the Theatre Royal, which was destroyed by the devastating 1907 earthquake." And now we seem to be destroying The Ward out of sheer neglect.

The Ward Theatre is, however, not significant solely for culture, arts and entertainment, as "both major political parties were launched on its stage - the PNP in 1938 and the JLP in 1943".

RESTORATION TAKING TOO LONG

Sadly, the Ward Theatre has not got the kind of care it deserves. I imagine this is for a plethora of reasons. In 1986, coincidentally the year I was born, The Ward Theatre Foundation was established to restore the building to its former glory. It's quite baffling that we haven't managed to do that yet - almost three decades later. It's taking too long. Perhaps we will advance with its renovation when we finally have a Sports Museum - an intention which I understand is almost as old as, if not older, than the number of years we have been independent from Britain.

It's shameful to think that we are seemingly inept at finding money to do very important projects such as preserving and restoring our history and cultural heritage and artefacts. It is difficult to accept this is an expensive venture, and that is why the Ward Theatre hasn't been renovated as yet, when we continue to squander millions of dollars through corruption and project 'overruns'.

As citizens, we have to be concerned. We need to show our leaders that we value historical and cultural artefacts, too, not just 'rae rae' parties and roads. We are more than that, at least I'd like to think so. We need to start asking questions and making noise in this regard, we can't leave it up to a few people to be so concerned. Perhaps the International Monetary Fund should have included the Ward Theatre renovation some way, somehow, as conditionality, since they know best how to thrust us into action.

As Susan Goffe, a director at Jamaicans for Justice, said, "For a period of time we have to give up expensive celebrations as a country. Instead of a grand gala or a fireworks display, etc, take that money and do a project like this, or building the adolescent psychiatric ward that is so badly needed and would take J$40 million to build."

Thankfully, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and mayor of Kingston, subsequent to a meeting with the foundation, have re-energised the restoration efforts. Could a percentage of the budgets of the CHASE Fund, Tourism Enhancement Fund and all the other projects/programmes/interventions geared towards tourism, culture and community renewal and development be used to renovate the theatre? Perhaps property taxes from businesses in the downtown Kingston area could be used for three to five years to renovate the building.

We can't continue to boast about our culture and heritage and as being the 'cultural mecca' of the Caribbean if we treat pieces of our history like this. We will lose our bragging rights.

Jaevion Nelson is a youth development, HIV and human-rights advocate. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and jaevion@gmail.com.