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Despite the small size of the island and the neglect it suffered during colonial times, Barbados has a long tradition in the performing arts. There are records of 17th-century ‘tea meetings’ during which people recited poetry, speeches, Biblical passages or humorous stories, while troupes of actors toured the islands by ship and gave open air performances wherever they landed. The Patagonian Theatre was built in 1783 but performances were designed for white colonial audiences with white actors until after the Second World War. At that time the Green Room Players were formed and they staged local and international multi-ethnic plays. The non-profit Stage One Theatre Productions was created in 1977, specializing in traditional plays to promote interest in drama. They also organize an annual Stage One Playwriting Contest. WWB Productions concentrates on workshops throughout the Caribbean, exploring indigenous materials and costumes and encouraging local talent. Laff It Off (http://laffitoff.com) is the leading comedy group, taking a satirical look at political and social issues and focussing on the activities of politicians, community leaders, sports and television personalities. There are several good semi-professional theatre companies and cultural groups ranging from drama to church choirs. The list of theatre groups includes the aforementioned Green Room Players, Stage One Theatre Productions, WWB Productions and Laff It Off Productions, as well as the St John Folk and Dramatic Group, Bajan Bus Stop, Pampalam and the Pinelands Creative Workshop, which is also involved in dance. Other dance groups include Dancing Africa, Dance National Afrique, the Barbados Dance Theatre Company and Dance Strides. Daphne Joseph-Hackett Theatre, Queen’s Park, T 4277267. Performances usually start at 2000. Named after a teacher who was instrumental in promoting theatre in Barbados and now the main theatre for drama and comedy. Frank Collymore Hall, in the Tom Adams Financial Centre, Bridgetown, http://www.fch.org.bb Frank Appleton Collymore (1893-1980) was a poet, actor and teacher who devoted his life to developing the performing arts in Barbados. A bronze bust of ‘Colly’ by Karl Broodhagen stands at the entrance. This is the main venue for music, dance and drama but the 500-seat hall is also used for conferences and lectures and it fulfils an educational as well as cultural function. It opened in 1986 with a week of dance, gospel, calypso, folk, classical music and jazz, called ‘City Nights’. Each year it hosts the NIFCA finals. Performances are advertised in the press. It is usually wise to buy tickets in advance. Most people dress quite formally for these performances. Plantation Restaurant, St Lawrence, T 4285048. Wed and Fri at 1830. US$75 with buffet dinner and transport from hotel, US$37.50 for the show and drinks. Hosts the Bajan Roots and Rhythms Tropical Spectacular Dinner Show, a cabaret show with scantily-clad dancers performing pseudo-traditional folk dances loosely based on the island’s history and legends. It’s purely for tourist consumption and is all good fun and slickly produced. Tyrol Cot, T 4281627/4296016 (bookings). Hosts 1627 And All That, a humorous take on Barbados’ history with another colourful show which has been going for years. It costs US$57.50 for buffet dinner, bar, hors d’oeuvres, tour of 17th-century market place and cultural village, steel band and complimentary transport.
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