NCF Announces Theatre Highlights For CARIFESTA XV: A Tribute To Irving Burgie and “A Play In A Day” Experience

Janelle Mitchell - Cultural Officer – Theatre Arts, NCF

The stage is set for two unforgettable theatre experiences as the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) unveils its headline theatrical offerings for CARIFESTA XV — blending legacy, learning, and the magic of live performance.

On August 30th at 7 p.m., the brand-new National Performing Arts Centre in Newton will come alive with ‘Daylight’, the National Production of Barbados, a breathtaking multi-disciplinary tribute to the late Irving Burgie in celebration of what would have been his 101st birthday. Conceptualised and produced by Cultural Officer – Theatre Arts, Janelle Mitchell. scripted by Keisha ‘Empress Zingha’ Simmons,  Dance by Cultural Officer for Dance, Alicia Payne-Hurley and directed by Angelo Lascelles, Daylight is more than a play — it’s a cultural journey.

Irving Burgie was a Barbadian- American musician and songwriter, regarded as one of the greatest composers of Caribbean music. He composed 34 songs for Harry Belafonte, including eight of the 11 songs on the Belafonte album Calypso (1956), the first album of any kind to sell one million copies. Burgie also wrote the lyrics of the National Anthem of Barbados, ‘In Plenty and In Time of Need, adopted in 1966 at the time of the island's independence. To date, songs penned by Irving Burgie have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. 

“This dynamic multimedia production weaves together literary, film, visual, and performing arts to honour the man, his music, and his legacy,” explains Mitchell. “A quiet spark sets a journey in motion, one shaped by hidden influences, unfolding truths, and the pull of something timeless. More than a play, this tribute is a vibrant cultural celebration of the man whose words and melodies carried Caribbean music to the world stage, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future generations.”

The production is powered by a stellar creative team including co-producers Alicia Payne Hurley, Kevin Moore, Aisha Butcher, Karra Price, Oneka Small, and Rodney Ifill, choreography by Shama Harding and John Hunte, and musical direction by David Weatherhead. The cast and crew,  over 65 artists and creatives, represent a powerful blend of local legends, regional voices, and emerging talent, all selected through a mix of invitations, talent scouting, and open calls.

“As the Cultural Officer for Theatre Arts at the National Cultural Foundation, I see CARIFESTA not just as a festival, but as a powerful moment to seed legacy. This is our opportunity to define how our stories live on, how our voices echo, and how our artists take up space in the world. Through my involvement in CARIFESTA XV, I want to help shape a legacy rooted in authenticity, access, and artistic courage, the very same values the late Sonia Williams instilled in me and so many others when we had the honour of representing Barbados at CARIFESTA X in Guyana in 2008. I want young theatre-makers to see this moment and say, ‘There’s space for me.’ I want our elders to feel honoured as we stand on their shoulders. I want the region to feel its collective heartbeat in every line delivered, every song sung, every story shared,” she said.

Before ‘Daylight’, on August 27th from 10 a.m., the Barbados Museum and Historical Society will host ‘A Play in a Day – The Museum Experience’. This free, immersive theatre workshop is open to ages 8 and older. Participants will collaborate to create, improvise, and present a short play in just one day.  It’s great for the family, Mitchelle said, adding registration is required via www.ncf.bb to secure a spot.

Mitchell states the goal of both events is connection and legacy: “Theatre is more than entertainment : it’s memory, resistance, belonging. It’s us! The legacy we leave behind should be a cultural shift that continues to ripple long after the curtain falls,” she asserts. Tickets for ‘Daylight’  the National Production of Barbados are available now. Proceeds will go towards the preservation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Drama Programmes, ensuring the continued growth and development of local theatre.

For more information and registration details, visit www.ncf.bb