The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

CAST and crew members of a new stage play, Trapped are getting set to pull back the curtains. The play’s story of Bahamian life in a small community will unfold on the September 6-9 at the National Centre of Performance Arts.

Trapped follows the main character Deno, who faces a hard time in his life. Everything seems to go wrong at one time and Deno sees no way out. Throughout the play Deno tries to escape the situations that have him trapped.

The play was written by Adrian Wildgoose, who said the play gives a different perspective on topical issues: Haitian/Bahamian relations, internal struggles of disadvantaged young men, health and wellness and diabetes, single parent homes, unemployment.

“I decided to host the play because I think its important in a time like this. Some of the characters are real life characters that have a story to be told. I had some random people volunteer their life story for participation in this play. I had them fill out character profile sheets and came up with the plot that clashed everyone together. I am not the political type so I get tired of hearing things politically correct sometimes, sometimes we just need to hear the truth. That is why I think this play is important. Maybe even more important than my other plays. It tells the truth. Finally, I get to share some of my realities in the play,” he told Tribune Entertainment.

Adrian has been writing plays since 2007 when he debuted his first major play. He wrote and produced three additional stage plays in Nassau, including The Recession (2010), The Recovery (2011), and the Judgement in Paradise (2012).

With all of his work, Adrian seeks to go beyond the laughter and present views that inspire deep reflection.

“I hope people grow a bit of consciousness of not only what is going on around them but what is going on with the people that are around them: namely, family, friends and even neighbours. Also, I hope that people take a deeper look inside of themselves and look at the (wo)man in the mirror and have those honest conversations that we all need to have at times to stay motivated in hard times like these. I also hope people laugh until their bellies hurt. Not only at the jokes but at the honesty and rawness of portrayal of the characters in the play,” he said.

A set of video blogs have also been produced to give people an idea of what is going on behind the scenes. The vlogs also include cast introductions.

Adrian and his team have partnered with the Bahamas Diabetes Association to increase awareness of the disease. A percentage of ticket sales will benefit the association and its efforts.

“Another positive thing would be our partnership with the Bahamas Diabetes Association. Diabetes is one of the issues addressed in the play, and I reached out to the BDA and we are working on spreading some much needed awareness about diabetes, along with other issues,” said Adrian.