‘Zuri’ a folktale for the family

This group will present Zuri written by Naima Thompson, adapted and directed by Penelope Spencer.

Zuri, was first produced at the Mint Theatre Space in Manhattan New York, under the direction of Naima Thompson.

Now it is the production culminating 12 weeks of training in pan, voice, acting, and movement with over 30 performers, at the Central Bank Auditorium.

Zuri is a folktale set in 1812 Trinidad and is based on the storyline of Beauty and the Beast with a twist of Cinderella.

It tells the story of a mulatto boy who is cruel to slave children and finds himself trapped in a curse as a beast, which was cast by an elder in the community. He is placed in an enchanted rainforest by the obeah woman who warns that the curse can only be broken if a slave girl were to fall in love with him and agree to marry him. Zuri encounters the beast and finally tries to break the obeah curse. Amidst an array of singing and dancing foliage, lives the sexy soucouyant and voluptuous La Diablesse who are in constant battle for who they think is Papa Bois lost in the forest.

Necessary Arts in the past has presented blatant social topics in its productions, such as its most recent depiction of Naima Thompson’s R.E.A.l., directed by Spencer and Raymond Choo Kong and Jest in de Circus written and directed by Spencer.

In this its ninth cycle since 2002, Necessary Arts enters the realm of folklore and mysticism to achieve the same goal, utilising some of the more popular folklore characters to spice up the adventure.

This full-scale production is ideal for the entire family and will explore issues of tolerance, acceptance, greed and jealousy.

The cast ranges from ages six to adults well over their forties, most of whom will explore the stage for the first time.

Working alongside this young cast of performers is Conrad Paris whose professionalism raises the bar high enough for younger thespians to aspire. Spencer, the director is working alongside theatrical consultant Choo Kong.

Zuri runs from tonight through Sunday at the Central Bank Auditorium. Tickets are available at the Necessary Arts School and at the Central Bank Auditorium’s Box Office for $75.

Ticket sales go toward defraying the cost of the production and also to sustain the Necessary Arts School scholarship fund established for the enrolment of at-risk children in the community.