Michael Anthony’s classic novel will be transformed from page to stage, in Iere Theatre Productions Ltd’s adaptation of ‘Green Days by the River”. Based on the 1967 novel of the same name, this Caribbean coming of age story, will run from June 6 – 9 at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA).
Under the leadership of veteran playwright and director – Victor Edwards, Iere Theatre Productions is well known for staging local plays which pay tribute to local icons, or local historical events. It is in this vein that Green Days by the River was selected as their 2024 offering. In a statement to the T&T Performing Arts Network, Edwards said, “We wanted to honour Michael Anthony before he died. [Too often] we wait until people die before we honour them.” Edwards revealed that the process of adapting the novel for the stage began last year. “The idea was to have him experience his work on stage.” Unfortunately, Michael Anthony died on 24 August 2023, at the age of 93. In spite of this, Iere Theatre Productions remained committed to paying tribute to the work of the literary icon.
Successfully adapting a novel for the stage is no simple feat; it takes a village. To this end, Edwards assembled a diverse cast of upcoming and seasoned actors to breathe new life into the characters of the novel. The production stars Bakari Akowe as “Shell”, Jessica Joseph as “Rosalie”, and Khasiyel Perry as “Joan”, and features Chandrabhan Ramnarace as “Mr. Gidharee”; Omare Asson as “Pa Lammy”; Meguella Simon as “Ma Lammy”; Sheila McIntosh as “Mrs. Gidharee”; Jacob Joseph as “Roy”; Josiah Peter as “Joe”; Xion Daniel as “Lennard”; and Robert Innis as “Freddie”.
The production team includes Musical Director – Joey Rivers, Choreographer – Beverly Hinds, Set Designer – Narad Mahabir, and Costume Designer – Janeene Simon-Sankar, with Stage Management by Alicia Edwards, all working together to support the vision of Director – Victor Edwards.
When asked about the adaptation process, Edwards shared that he was intimately familiar with the novel, as it would have been part of the secondary school curriculum in his many years as an educator. He also revealed that he read the screenplay for Michael Mooledhars’ 2017 film adaptation, and admitted that the stage play would take a different approach.
“Both the novel and the film employed linear storytelling. We [are] not doing that. That would not be a dramatic presentation, so we rearranged some of the dialogue and some of the scenes. We also had to fit the entire story into two hours or less, so we had to condense some scenes, and imply certain things to help carry the story, while maintaining the author’s intentions.”
Edwards also underscored the significance of music in the stage adaptation. “In the novel, musical pieces such as the ‘Tennessee Waltz’ and ‘Peanut Vendor’ were mentioned by the author, so we stuck fast to that. But there is other music that we have introduced for the stage play to support the themes being explored, and to help move the story forward.” Edwards concluded by sharing “I like the idea of live music in my plays, so I go the extra mile to give [audiences] a total experience.”
Iere Theatre Productions’ adaptation of Green Days by the River will play from June 6 – 9, at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, located at the corner of Todd Street and Rienzi Kirton Highway, San Fernando. Admission is $200 TTD for General Audiences, and $60 TTD for School Matinees.
Tickets are conveniently available at Bhagan’s Drugs, South Park San Fernando; RIK Bookstore, Gulf City; selected Nigel Khan Outlets: Long Circular Mall, Port of Spain; Price Plaza, Chaguanas; C3 Center, San Fernando, and the Iere Theatre Admin, Princes Town.
For more information visit Iere Theatre Productions on Facebook and Instagram @ieretheatreproductionsltd, or contact 724-7041 or 743-0792.
The Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network 