A young woman in a cotton bonnet and lace gloves ran past, shrieking, YOU!! IS YOU! You is the daddy! Don’t pretend you doh recognise meh now!! ̈
The alleged father of her child jumped in surprise, caught off-guard by her accusations and then applauded her performance. She continued to accuse him, making grand gestures and loud proclamations before setting eyes on another hapless victim and running off in his direction. The crowd cheered her on gleefully, part and parcel of the unique, interactive experience provided by UWI’s Department of Creative and Festival Arts and aptly named 'The Old Yard'.
The Old Yard theatrical production provides performance space for traditional Carnival characters and pays homage to the ̈ole time days ̈. Patrons strolled in and out of ̈De Latrine”, children lined up at ̈De Parlour ̈, and families sat together in ̈De Yard ̈, each hand painted sign an unapologetic celebration of our culture. Throughout the venue, masqueraders roamed in full costume and loud character, to the delight and applause of the guests. Both professional and amateur portrayals were on full display, each giving a certain flair to the proceedings.
Rarely seen characters like the Pis En Lit and Cow Mas were warmly welcomed, judging by the joyful screams of the younger audience members as they watched. The Pis En Lit characters raced behind them with bedpans full of questionable but decidedly gross contents to their horror and amusement while the Cow raged recklessly across the yard toward the Matador and his taunting red flag.
In a room off to the side, there was an exhibition titled ‘Baby Doll Mas: Old and New Interpretations’. The works of well-known local photographers like Maria Nunes and artists like Jackie Hinkson hung on the walls; Tracey Sankar-Charleau ́s hand-sewn dolls with brightly embroidered messages referencing social issues like abuse and neglect were on display. Meanwhile, Baby Doll masqueraders like veteran Hazel Brown gave live performances in a corner. Throughout, you could catch small pockets of conversations, on Carnival, traditional characters and the evolution of mas, by academic and enquiring minds alike. Outside, parents explained the Fancy Sailor to their curious children and watched with pride as they attempted to learn the Sailor ́s fancy footwork from an 85-year-old veteran. Education, a core principle of The Old Yard, came alive that day.
In another corner, local artisans offered handmade crafts. Hand painted leatherworks, jewellery made from copper, seashells and wire, brightly coloured handbags and garments: all made with love in Trinidad and Tobago. Locals and tourists alike exclaimed in wonder at the impeccable quality and affordable prices and purchased without hesitation. Next door, where volunteers helped young ones design their own mas, tiny sticky fingers and wide grins abound. The scent of corn soup, curry crab, pholourie, and chow wafted through the air, beckoning like a cartoon finger. The result was lines extending way beyond the perimeter. The sno-cone man was overwhelmed, hastily transferring crushed ice and tropical flavoured syrup into cups topped with creamy condensed milk. No complaints though, the action was taking place all around them and so the line moved forward slowly and patiently.
By day’s end, The Old Yard had for yet another year successfully reinvigorated ́ole time mas ́ with new flavour that was both potent and purposeful.
