New show at Bliss seeks tourists

Artistic endeavor is a wonderful thing…but even in the best of times financing for the arts in Belize is tight. What to do? Find performances that entertain…and fill the cash register.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

The Mythical Rainforest is the latest production to hit the stage at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. The play is set deep in the jungles of Belize and features folklore characters such as Anansi the spider and Xtabay, a legend of the forest.

Gregory Vernon, Producer, ICA

“Mythical Rainforest is a production that pulls all the myths of Belize together. As you can see we have Xtabay; we have Anansi; we have the god of the sun; the god of the moon; we have folklore situation with cultural and ethnic groups; rituals–of course the obeah represents the good old Creole rituals that we were raised in. So, all this we have blend together to make one mythical rainforest.”

The forty-five minute musical play is filled with drama, deception, and lots of energy that promises to keep audiences captivated until the curtain closes. According to the show’s producer, Gregory Vernon, the play is just one of many they will stage in an effort to provide entertainment for both Belizeans and visitors.

Gregory Vernon

“I have written this production for the Belizean people and also the tourists coming into Belize City. Of course we have this beautiful theatre that needs to be occupied and we decided that it would be best for us to have day time shows rather than the traditional night time shows.”

The cast are all fulltime employees at ICA and the entire production is a joint effort by the National Institute for Culture and History, The Music Industry Association of Belize, and Cruise Solutions, to provide steady employment for Belize’s creative artists and technical personnel. But the success of the programme will largely depend on how the public response.

Gregory Vernon

“I am very happy to say that we have fulltime dancers and performers that are on salary. So, this is our very first move forward for Belize and this will encourage young artists that are coming out to get involved with cultural groups. Of course as the artistic director, I would encourage them to get in touch with some performing groups because with the tourism industry that is happening around us, people will be looking forward to see cultural groups.”

The Mythical Rainforest is slated to open to the public in September. For more information on the show’s schedule and ticket prices contact ICA at telephone number 227-2110.