Crop Over Folk Concert merges past and present sent

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music, dance and powerful storytelling at this year’s Crop Over Folk Concert titled Full Circle.

Patrons are in for a treat on Friday night.
Under the creative direction of Levi King, this free event promises to be a groundbreaking production that will captivate audiences and spark meaningful reflection when it takes place on Friday July 26: The Day of National Significance at Golden Square Freedom Park, The City.

King explained that in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Crop Over, the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) wanted the production to push the boundaries of traditional folk concerts, at the same time, still appeal to long-time folk concert enthusiasts while attracting a new generation of audiences. So, Full Circle was conceptualised to be more than just a concert; it is a full-scale musical theatre extravaganza.

Re-enactments of important historical speeches from National Hero, the Right Excellent Clement Payne as well as Israel Lovell remain as part of the presentation, however, the difference this year is that traditional elements of folk culture are given a unique, fresh, modern treatment.

The cast and team of this year’s Crop Over Folk Concert at rehearsals Tuesday night.
In addition, music lovers will be thrilled to know that the musical features entirely original compositions, with music composed by the acclaimed musical director Dr. Stefan Walcott and lyrics by King along with Michelle Hinkson-Cox the production’s scriptwriter.

Full Circle offers a deep dive into the lives of a fictional working-class Barbadian family trying to navigate the pre- and post-1937 disturbances era. It tells the story of an older couple, Lily and Elliot, whose son Aaron and his pregnant new wife Charlotte go to live with them.

According to the director, the NCF production aims to reflect on the socio-economic challenges of that time and draw parallels to contemporary issues, highlighting enduring themes such as poverty, disenfranchisement and the strength of the family unit.

The 19-member ensemble tasked with the responsibility of bringing this narrative to life comprises a mixture of seasoned and fledging professionals. Led by multi-award-winning actor Jennifer Walker, who plays the character Lily, Akil Ifill as Elliot and supported by rising stars Kiara Harper as Charlotte and Nekoda Ellis as Aaron.

The Crop Over Folk concert promises to be captivating.
The stellar cast includes: veteran Philip Eno as MacDonald; Atiba Sealy-Thompson as Freddie; Joshua Moore and Neil Waithe as officers; Jakobi Sealy as Clement Payne; Phelan Lowe as Israel Lovell; Nikita Thomas as Eunice and Tiffanie Williams as Mrs. Reeves. The chorus consists of: Kyrique Alleyne, Shannon Arthur, Letitia Christian, Josiah Haynes, Shireifa Joseph, Asiah Shepherd and Teila Williams. Williams doubles in the role of costume and props designer on the creative team which also features Olivia Hall as choreographer, Mark Maynard as set designer, Renelde Headley as stage manager.

Full Circle boasts a live band led by Shane Ryan on bass/playback, with Delano Ifill on drums and Irvin Belgrave on keyboard.

King hopes that attendees leave the folk concert with a powerful message of resilience, steadfastness and the power to effect positive change in their communities.

“I want that people nowadays still feel empowered in the knowledge that as Barbadians, we have the power to control our own destiny and that if there are things in our society that need to change for society to more than survive, but to thrive, we have the ability to make those changes happen,” he added. (PR)