Veteran Children’s Theatre Company Makes History As One Of Trinidad And Tobago’s Oldest Children’s Performing Arts Organisations


Backstage during the 1985 staging of the original Lilliput production, Marriage of the Samaan. Photo courtesy Martica Thomas.

April 21, 2015 – Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago… Four decades ago, two friends and colleagues, Noble Douglas and Tony Hall, embarked upon the groundbreaking task of creating Trinidad and Tobago's first children’s theatre company. Their foresight led to the establishment of the Lilliput Children’s Theatre, Trinidad and Tobago’s seminal children’s arts institution. This year, Lilliput marks that milestone with its 40th anniversary production, BIG, on May 15, 16 and 17, 2015 at Queen’s Hall.


Young thespians bring Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to life in Lilliput’s 1986 presentation. Photo courtesy Martica Thomas.  

With its signature approach to drama instruction, the company harnesses the performing arts as a medium to help shape and build character while encouraging self-confidence through the challenge of theatre, game play and imagination. “We strive to do this one child at a time,” reflected Douglas. “We have succeeded in using culture to build the character of every Lilliputian. No matter their discipline or profession, Lilliputians are excelling in their fields today.”

An animated moment during Lilliput’s 2013 original production, EIEIO Animal Farm, which was an adaptation of George Orwell’s, Animal Farm. Photo courtesy Mark Gellineau.


Masqueraders cross the stage in the section I LOOK LIKE YOU from Lilliput Children’s Theatre’s 2015 Kiddies Carnival presentation, BIG, designed by Merylle Mahabir. Photo courtesy Roba Ofili.  

The veteran company is known for staging thought provoking productions that challenge audiences to countenance alternative political, social and cultural views. Annually, the young thespians are charged with creating and scripting a play from the creative concepts of costume designer, Merylle Mahabir. In this process, journal writing is used to explore intricate ideas as an integral part of their writing process. Under the direction of Hall, Greer Jones-Woodham, Che Rodriguez, John Isaacs and Wendell Manwarren, Lilliput’s past productions have included published plays such as Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Derek Walcott’s Ti Jean and His Brothers as well as original productions including the inaugural, Cinderella Strikes Again, Flew and EIEIO Animal Farm. To date, Eye Eye Eye, which chronicled the plight of street children, remains one of Lilliput’s most critically acclaimed and insightful presentations.


Lilliputians wait to cross the stage in the section FLY A KITE from Lilliput Children’s Theatre’s 2015 Kiddies Carnival presentation, BIG, designed by Merylle Mahabir. Photo courtesy Roba Ofili.  

This year’s celebratory production will again challenge audiences as the company looks at the impact of BIG issues on the lives of little people. For more information, join the BIG Facebook (FB) event page at http://x2t.com/3/BIG or connect with Lilliput on FB at www.facebook.com/lilliputchildrenstheatre or on Twitter @NDLFA or emailliza@estuaryPR.com
 
A young masquerader in the section MARRY ME from Lilliput Children’s Theatre’s 2015 Kiddies Carnival presentation, BIG, designed by Merylle Mahabir. Photo courtesy Roba Ofili.   

WHAT:     Lilliput Children’s Theatre’s 40th Anniversary Production, BIG

WHO:       Lilliput Children's Theatre

WHERE:   Queen’s Hall      
WHEN:      Friday May 15, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

               Saturday May 16, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.

               Sunday May 17, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.
   
TICKETS: Children and adults - TT $120; Crosby’s Music Centre, St. James - (868) 622-SOCA(7622); students of the Lilliput Children's Theatre and from Monday May 11, 2015 at the Queen’s Hall box office - (868) 624-1284.