The Sunshine Theatre Company reinstated its Annual Awards Banquet at the Anguilla Great House on February 6, after an absence of three years, because of commitments in the region and in Africa.

The ceremony was chaired by Joyce Kentish-Elan, a longstanding member of the Sunshine Theatre Committee. The first to be awarded was Leroy Richardson (Brother Lee), Senior Environmental Health Officer, musician, song writer, talk show host, cultural worker and Managing Director of Kool FM Radio.

Mr. Banjamin and Pam Webster

He was presented with an Award for outstanding community service, and commitment to the preservation of Anguilla’s cultural heritage, by Acting Director of Social Security, Maglan Richardson. In making the presentation, on behalf of Sunshine Theatre Company, she said Brother Lee had worked with her office on several occasions and she could attest to his community involvement.

Replying, Brother Lee was grateful to a number of persons and organisations for contributing much to his all-round success. He offered special thanks to Sunshine Theatre Company and all who selected him for the award, as well as his family and friends for their support.

Brother Lee and Maglan Richardson

The presentation ceremony continued following the dinner with the Artiste of the Year Award to 15-year-old singer, Deanna Mussington, presented by Ms Jean Dyer of Keithley Lake & Associates. Ms. Dyer, a lawyer, noted that just recently she had seen a number of young defendants at the court which led her to conclude that many young people in Anguilla were in trouble. She was therefore pleased that Deanna Mussington had shown that she was on the right track and looked forward to her continued success as a singer.

At the age of 10, Deanna won the Cable and Wireless Talent Show competition. In February 2009 she won the Miss Valentine Pageant with best evening wear and best introductory speech; and in December last year she won Digicel’s “Anguilla Got Talent” competition. Deanna, who aspires to be a professional singer, currently attends the Caribbean International Academy in St. Maarten.

Ms. Dyer, Deanna and Joyce Kentish-Elan

Responding to her selection for the award, she gave special credit to her father, well-known musician and singer, Darwin Mussington, for his encouragement and leadership. “Without my father, I do not think I would be standing here today because he is the one who encouraged me to push my music career forward and I would like to thank him for being there for me,” said the grateful young singer. She then sang one of her favourite songs and was given a standing ovation by the audience.

The third person to be awarded was Commissioner of Police and Barrister-at-Law, Keithly Benjamin, a member of the Sunshine Theatre Company and a noted player in the performing arts. He was chosen for the Theatre Arts Award for his 2009 performance in the comedy “Run For Your Wife” and his disciplined commitment to theatre. He was described as ‘a man of great talent” by Mrs. Kentish-Elan and was highly commended by Ms. Pam Webster of Webster Dyrud Mitchell, sponsor of the award. She took the opportunity to applaud Felix and Mona Fleming in particular for their work in keeping the performing arts and cultural traditions of Anguilla alive though various Sunshine Theatre Company productions.
In his reply Mr. Benjamin said he was humbled by the award and was grateful to a number of persons who supported the performing arts over the years. He commended Felix Fleming for his dedication to theatre and his patience and diligence in working with the performers during long hours of practice. He said that amateur theatre was an enjoyable pastime for him and a way of relieving stress. He was very appreciative of the award and thanked all who contributed to it.

Two of the guests tables at the Awards Ceremony

The keynote-speaker was Ms Berry Mahoney, Executive Director of the US Virgin Islands Council of the Arts who resides in St. Thomas and is well-acquainted with Felix and Mona Fleming. She knew Felix for over 40 years and was proud of his vision and work in the performing arts not only in the Caribbean area but also in Ghana, West Africa, where she accompanied him on one of his productions. She emphasised the importance of encouraging and nurturing cultural expressions and creative imaginations in song, music, dance, drama, poetry, prose, film and television collectively and individually.

“Each one of us has the responsibility to ensure that the arts are infused in our education system and are inclusive in ensuring that the elderly, the disabled and physically and mentally challenged have access to participate in and enjoy all art forms,” she stated. “Felix Fleming is at the core of this responsibility here in Anguilla. He pursued his dream, planted seeds in his barren spot and I can say without hesitation that he will continue to ensure steady growth in arts and culture in Anguilla and beyond.”

Felix and Mona Fleming with Sunshine Theatre Group

Mr. Fleming told The Anguillian that Sunshine Theatre Company had always endeavoured to preserve, promote and enhance the culture and arts of Anguilla. He said that during the summer of this year his group would again work with at risk children in Anguilla as well as in St. Thomas. Asked how theatre was catching on in Anguilla, he said: “It is blossoming now. All we really need is a proper facility. We could turn out four major productions a year quite easily and run summer workshops or afternoon programmes for children if we had a facility, but I see it coming… The whole island is changing and we have been waiting for this. There is one Minister that I would always give credit to for supporting the arts and that is Mr. Banks. The others are just complacent.”

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News