Who will be King and Queen?

It’s not just what you wear but how you wear it. Carnival King will likely be won by the contender who not just looks good, but can bring to life his character.So far it’s looking like Geraldo Vierra Junior who has thrilled viewers with “Alladin’s Last Ride.” He topped the Preliminaries and Semi-Finals, and goes into the Finals as the one to beat. Vierra plays the legendary Alladin vigorously riding the mythical “Roc” bird, but both now skeletons. “Alladin’s Last Ride” looks like a danse macabre but conveys the opposite feeling. Although now skeletal, Alladin vigorously bobs up-and-down as he rides a similarly bony bird into the Afterlife. It was beautiful art in motion. Moreso it gave a message of conquering death. At the Semis Vieira had thrilled viewers by making the bird snap his huge beak to chase lensmen from the stage.

Curtis Eustace played  “Drums of Freedom” from Legends’ band “Freedom.” The masquerader drew claps for making a lanky iconic African figure move his arms to “play” a pair of bongo drums. He was a dazzle of emerald green. Despite its brilliance, the central figure should perhaps have been a bit more distinct from the rest of the outfit. Roland St George also of “Arabian Nights” had a splendid golden genie who showers gold coins in “Bling Bling Lamassu — The Wishmaster.” In the Preliminaries, he won applause for making the giant rock his head and tilt his torso forward. But in the Semi-Finals it could no longer be this flexible, due to technical problems which had delayed it coming on-stage. How will the towering titan move tonight? Wade Madray with “De Origin” portrayed in sculpture and painting the creation, ascent and fall of Man. Creation bursts forth from the hands of God. But at the same time The Serpent was unleashed from its shackles. Behind these sculptures, paintings showed the rise and fall of Man from Eden through to Armaggedon. This mas has many aspects of design. But is it all too much to hang together as a single piece?                                                      

David Lakhan was the “The Winged Messenger,” an ugly bug with beautiful wings. It was a somewhat strange hybrid. Lakhan brought it to life by skillfully moving its many legs. What do you get when you cross funk-singer Rick James with an English Law Lord? Juan Maximo as “King Ferdinand of Imperial Spain.” His jolly high-stepping belied his sombre wig. He looked less like the conqueror of the Americas and the Moors, but more like Old King Cole. Andre DeFreitas brought his oriental “Che-Low and the Magical Spirits.” This included the heads of snakes and dragons. But their ferocity was muted by the delicate arches of their necks, the gentle pinks and lime-greens of the outfit, and the bobbing of elegant Chinese lanterns. Is purple the colour of madness? Ask Fareid Carvalho who portrays “Dreamscape — Limbo of the Lost.” This shows the angst, almost anger, of a man-turned-beat. A man is tormented by his conscience. The rage is shown as the face of a creature. His fury follows as a blast of barbs in purple. He is the only chosen finalist who actually carries his costume.

Carvalho this year switched designer from an unavailable Brian McFarlane to Terry and Douglas John. The Johns, like McFarlane, create outfits which are totally carried by the masquerader, unsupported by wheels. So, tonight will Vieira continue his winning streak, or will one of his seven challenges create an upset? Watch and see. Among the Carnival Queens, Alana Ward starts as favourite for tonight since topping both the Preliminaries and Semi-Finals. She portrays a large bird with two heads and a tail of fronds of white and purple, bursting through a silver net. She plays “If You Love Something Set It Free” from Legends band “Freedom.” Susan Low plays “The Man in the Moon is a Lady.” An eclipse of the moon was beautifully shown, trailed by a shower of silver stars. Low is queen of “A Band for all Seasons.”