by Randolph J. Critchlow
The arts are an integral part of any society as they represent the cultural identity and expression of a people. In Guyana, the arts have historically played a significant role in shaping the country’s national identity, and their contribution to the development of the nation cannot be overstated.
However, the current state of affairs in Guyana’s arts and culture sector is cause for concern. The government’s approach to the sector has been marred by political interference, and an inability to keep politics, and in this case, theatre separate. This has led to a lack of progress and development and unprecedented mistrust. This interference is clearly evident in the recent events surrounding the play Makantali, and the victimization I am facing because of my political affiliation.
It is no secret that I am an APNU+AFC activist and given my love for the Arts had in the past criticized the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Charles Ramson, for his management of the country’s arts and culture sector. I had also questioned the role of the Minister’s wife at the ministry and why the National Drama Festival had not been brought back, among other issues.
Fast-forward to late February of this year, I was excited to be cast in the play Makantali, which is slated to be staged in late May as I reprised my role for which I won best supporting director when the play was staged close to 10 years ago. However, after about a month of rehearsal, I was informed by the director, Godfrey Naughton, in the presents of the cast that “Main Street,” referring to the powers that be at the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, was upset about something I said on a political stage and they were pressuring him to remove me from the cast, however the director assured the cast members that everything was resolved and that I would stay in the cast.
The director subsequently called me on Sunday 30th April to explain that the powers that be didn’t want me in the play and that the pressure had mounted on him to replace me and the situation had become untenable. This was coming from the top, he explained and suggested that he could negotiate for me to get 40% of my contracted talent fee and requested that I stay quiet about the situation because if I made ‘noise’ it could jeopardize the entire production and even future productions. I was unwilling to accept that and wanted to consult before giving an answer, but before I could get back to the director, he deleted me from the cast WhatsApp group. When I called him to ask about it, he explained that since being in the cast was problematic, and I did not get back to him in 24 hours, he deleted me.
During that same conversation with the director, I made it clear that I couldn’t accept the proposal of 40% and if the ministry wanted me out of the play, they needed to pay me in full. I also requested the termination of my contract to be done in writing. I stated that I would assume the contract still stands until I received the termination in writing.
I intend to inform the director that if my contract is not honored, I will be taking legal action against him and the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport. Since Monday, the 1st of May, I have received no communication from the director of the play
In my opinion, this is a clear case of victimization based on petty politics. The fear of victimization is a real problem in the arts community, there is no freedom of speech, actors are afraid to even be seen talking to APNU+AFC people for fear of being blacklisted, and for many actors, this is an extra source of income they are afraid to lose.
I believe it’s time to speak out and take action to prevent what is happening to me from happening to others. As an artist, I will continue to be vocal and highlight what is happening in the theatre and the arts in general in Guyana. I was vocal when the minister unilaterally raised the rates for the NCC, right now many producers are considering other venues because they have to write to the minister for permission to use the National Cultural Center, they are complaining in their corners about how Minister Ramson is treating the NCC like his plaything but are afraid of the victimization so they keep quiet. I don’t intend to be quiet.
