Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott hopes to return to the University next year to unveil another show after his new play Moon-Child – Ti Jean in Concert received a standing ovation at its UK premiere at the Lakeside Theatre.
Professor Walcott, who is Professor of Poetry at Essex, oversaw the production during his two-week residency at the University, which also saw him lead workshops with students in the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies (LiFTS).
Lakeside Theatre director Pasco Kevlin and his team worked closely with Professor Walcott to stage the show with an international cast of actors and a full-house gave the production a rapturous reception.
Dr Maria Cristina Fumagalli, from LiFTS, said: “Derek was ecstatic and is planning to put on another play next year as he enjoyed this so much. Everyone in the audience thought it was brilliant. It was simply a triumph!”
The international cast included actors Wendell Manwarren, Dean Atta and Lesley-Ann Wells. The performance featured a sound-score by composer Ronald Hinkson and projected images of artwork by Derek Walcott, an accomplished water-colourist and oil painter, and by his artist son Peter Walcott.
Wyvern June 2011
