Sneak Peek Behind the Curtain - In Preparation for NDTC's Morning of Movement and Music

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NDTC’s Morning of Movement and Music dedicated to Eduardo Rivero-Walker, Monica McGowan and Maud Fuller

 

The annual Morning of Movement and Music mounted by the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) in association with The Little Theatre Movement (LTM) will celebrate its 32nd Anniversary, this Easter Sunday, March 31.


 
The 6 am performance will take place at The Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Drive in Kingston, and is dedicated to the lives of Founding Member Monica McGowan, long-standing friend of the Company, Maud Fuller and Cuban Professor and Choreographer, Eduardo Rivero-Walker.
 


Artistic Director Barry Moncrieffe says that the usually capacity-filled audience, will be treated to a renewed programme featuring the full 50-member Company of Dancers, Singers, Orchestra and Creative Technicians.

 
“In celebration of the 32nd anniversary of the NDTC’s annual act of worship, we have added a number of new elements to the programme, which we are certain our loyal supporters will enjoy as we celebrate this Easter season,” Moncrieffe confirmed.


A full Company performance of Hallelujah from Handel’s Messiah arranged by Ewan Simpson with choreography by Kevin Moore will open the sunrise performance; and for the first time, the audience will participate in the congregational Easter hymn, Christ the Lord is Risen Today. Spoken word will also be introduced to the line up”, Moncrieffe added.







New Recruits

Six new members will make their debut this Easter, Moncrieffe revealed. They are: Kaydene Gordon (Soprano) Carole Kamala Nicholson-Johnson (Contralto); Keith Mitchell (Tenor) as well as musicians Albert Shaun Hird (Flute); Amardo Blake (Guitar/Keyboard) and Ivana Kenny (Keyboards).

They will join in the presentation of arrangements by Ewan Simpson of The Story with music from popular Jamaican Gospel group Grace Thrillers, the Negro spiritual, Were you there? and My Praise.
 
Celebrated NDTC Tenor Carl Bliss, currently on leave from the Company, will also make a cameo appearance to undertake a solo from excerpts of The Mass in A arranged by NDTC’s major creative artist, Marjorie Whylie.
 
 


Dance Works

 

New dance works to be debuted on Easter Sunday morning include Sanctuary choreographed by Gene Carson, Artistic Director of the Barbados Dance Theatre Company and former NDTC dancer/choreographer; The Beloven by Kevin Moore and Patrick Earle’s Enchanted. In tribute to Maud Fuller, Dance Captain Marlon Simms will present Still Still With Thee, based on the Christian hymn of the same name, written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, to the tune  “ Consolation” by Felix Mendelssohn. 
 

 
The act of worship also includes excerpts of works by the Company’s Founder and late Artistic Director, Rex Nettleford (Tintinnabulum and Brazilian Ode), as well as Clive Thompson (Of Prophecy and Song) and Arsenio Andrade-Calderon (A Prayer). In addition to remounting two dance works, his own Steal Away (1997) and a solo excerpt from the Nettleford 1993 Master work (Interconnexions), Founding Member Bert Rose has also been involved in Set Design for the show.

 

The programme will, as usual, be supported by NDTC’s Lighting Director Michael McDonald; Sound Director, Tony Holness; Stage Manager, Dwayne Brown; Wardrobe Mistress Barbara Kaufman and Secretary/Treasurer; Bridget Spaulding.

 

The performance will close with a new revival piece involving the Full Company.

 

Patrons are asked to be seated by 5:45 am.

Pictures courtesy of Stuart Reeves

Tamara Noel in Of Prophesy and Song
Keita Marie Chamberlain, Tamara Noel & Kerry-Ann Henry in Tintinnabulum
The Company in Tintinnabulum
Kerry-Ann Henry in A Prayer
Marlon Simms
Clive Thompson, Bert Rose, Barry Moncrieffe & The NDTC Singers
The NDTC Singers and Dancers in Still Still With Thee
Paul Newman in Of Prophesy and Song
Kerry- Ann Henry, Alicia Glasgow, Stefanie Thomas, Marlon Simms and Mark Phinn in Steal Away






 

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