Producer/artistic director Davlin Thomas says his theme for this year's Dimanche Gras C2k10 centres around El Cerro del Aripo – one of T&T's highest mountain peaks.
In a telephone interview, Thomas said: "El Cerro del Aripo is the theme. It is the home of the famous Aripo Caves. It is the summit of our aspirations. There are transcendent spirits in the mas. "We will be using Carnival costumes which are reminiscent of Golden Masquerade (a play) which was done in Suriname. We will have a narrative for the epic about the Carnival," added Thomas. The props would transform the Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, into a primordial forest. "Emerging from the forest are 30-foot costumes that would form part of the forest. We will have costumes morphing into costumes. We are looking for a bacchanal." Thomas said he would be assisted by artistic directors Allan Balfour and Elton Frank. Dramatic soprano Anne Fridal would lend her musical direction and with David John would assist in the production. "We will be using predominantly Carnival costumes with choreography. It's a musical with hybrid music that would showcase Trinidad and Tobago." Although they have not planned an official tribute to the late chief calypso judge Roland Gordon, there would be reference to his contribution to the art form. They are catering to about 10,000 patrons including a large international Trini audience and the viewing audience.
Getting ready
Meanwhile, a 200-member cast has been rehearsing at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, Port-of-Spain. "Patrons will get to see a bit of the Carnival costumes from "Monument: (another play). It was a huge success." Thomas promised other highlights like a puppet. "We will have a 25-foot puppet that will be moving, dancing and waving to the delight of the audience," he said. Prior to Thomas' ingenuity, the audience would be treated to vintage kaiso from Divine Echoes – from 5.45 pm to 6.30 pm.
The parade of the kings and queens and the top bards would also be among the highlights of the night's proceedings.
?14 draw for positions Thursday
?Fourteen calypsonians will seek to dethrone reigning calypso monarch Dr Hollis Liverpool at Sunday's Dimanche Gras finals at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. A release said the competitors would draw for positions at Strand Entertainment Centre, Tragarete Road, Port-of-Spain, on Thursday at 11 am.
?The finalists are:
�2 Ann Marie Cudjoe-Parks � Twiggy � Give Thanks;
�2 Anthony Hendrickson � All Rounder � Female Lifeguard;
�2 Brian London � A Calypsonian;
�2 Carlos James � Skatie � A Cry For Life;
�2 Devon Seale � De Sharer Strikes;
�2 Kizzy Ruiz � Aide Haiti;
�2 Kurt Allen � Too Bright;
�2 Michael Legerton � Protector � My Vision; and,
�2 Nicole Greaves � Where the Lions Are?
�2 Roderick Gordon � Mr Chucky � A People's National Movement;
�2 Sandra Des Vignes Millington � Singing Sandra � No Child Shall Be Left
Behind;
�2 Sean Daniel � God Is Love;
�2 Selvon Noel � Mr Shak � Rogue; and.
�2 Winston Scarborough � De Original De Fosto Himself � In A Palace State
of Mind.