Applause for NDTC season ender

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

On Sunday last, the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) brought the curtains down on its 48th season of dance. It was such a magnificent and exhilarating finale, the company earned the rapturous standing ovation and shrieks of delight which the jam-packed Little Theatre audience heaped upon them at the end.

The fact that Kumina, that seminal work choreographed by the late Professor Nettleford, was the season's final presentation, was so rich in symbolism representing the passing of the baton, it resulted in an even more poignant finale for what was a simply fabulous season.

Like opening night, for its closing presentation, the company opted to honour its recently transitioned founding artistic director by drawing on the body of work he choreographed for its final programme. And it was a most fitting season-ending celebration of the commitment, ardour and monumental drive that propelled the late distinguished cultural icon and intellectual bulwark. What a fitting manner in which to pay homage to a 'king' who has transitioned but to shout, "The king is dead; long live the king!"

And, just think about it - who could begrudge the NDTC paying tribute to its founding artistic director who sacrificed self and considerable skills in moulding the idea/concept of a National Dance Theatre Company into an internationally renowned institution?

Imagine the many social, cultural and parochial battles the late professor and his fellow founding members would have fought and won in seeking to establish this now iconic company!

Lesser mortals would have wilted under the social and cultural pressure in 1962 when a newly independent Jamaica still had as its major points of reference and influence the vestiges of the colonial masters they were now distancing themselves from.

While many clamoured for political independence, they did not understand that with it new and different institutions would emerge, mirroring the constituent make-up of the new nation. And it's against this background that the triumph of the NDTC must be weighed and the role of its founding giant framed.

That 48 years later, Jamaica has claimed the company as one of its successes, and that Caribbean people all over and Africans within the diaspora bond find common heritage in the music, songs and dance of the NDTC, underscores the multi-ethnic underpinnings that have transported the organisation to continued success.

And to close its 48th season, the company chose to celebrate the creative genius of the one whose intellectual creativity sustained it for many years. And luvs, what better way to embrace the past and welcome the future than having the disciples of the late professor showcase his masterpieces?

And, make no mistake, the last matinee-styled performance which began promptly at 5 p.m., with Apocalypse, defied its title and embodiment, as here was celebration of dance, vitality in both music and song. This was a zesty performance devoid of trepidation, angst or foreboding.

Excerpts from Cave's End were the next offering and the duo spared no emotion as they not only connected with each other but with audience as well and enthralling so. And when the NDTC Singers took to the stage and gave a suite of 'set-up' songs, the prevailing mood of gaiety changed gears to that of one of sombreness. The fabulously talented group of singers along with the accompanying musicians, under the baton of musical director Marjorie Whylie, made for a most enriching musical experience. This continued with the musical interlude that preceded the introduction of Spirit's At A Gathering.

Misa Criola followed the intermission, and while this very dark and foreboding piece was warmly received, excerpts from Katrina that followed proved nothing but appetisers for the main course that was to come. When it was served up, the audience not only lapped it up, they loved every bit of it, as Kumina not only has ancestral and spiritual connections for the many, it's perhaps the piece of work most associated with the late professor. Here the company was at peace with itself as it executed this masterpiece with the majesty and authenticity that have made it a favourite of NDTC aficionados for many seasons. And Marlon Simms and Keita-Marie Chamberlain, Kumina king and queen, were exemplars.

Dears, it was the perfect season clincher, and then some.

Among those spotted out were: Opposition MP Phillip Paulwell accompanied by the beautiful Laura Butler; attorney Aloun Assamba; High Court judge Hillary Phillips; Delano Harrison, QC; Olympian Kerron Stewart, looking flawless; the esteemed Donald Lindo; Dr Maria Smith; Jeffrey and Marjorie Cobham; acclaimed choreographer Clive Thompson and his sibling, former high-fashion model Marsha Chin; James Samuels; Kingsley Cooper and his companion, the lovely Romae Gordon; Glen Kaise; attorney Andrea Rattray; Patrick Bailey; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin and her daughter, the beautiful Kristina Benjamin; Linton Walters; Carole Beckford; Pierre and Karlene Lemaire; Jamaica Tourist Board Deputy Director David Shields; Tommy Ricketts; and the charming Barbara Kaufmann, the company's wardrobe mistress; and the company's artistic director, Barry Moncrieffe; plus many others.