Sunshine Theatre Company, known for its continued preservation of the oral tradition art form and culture of Anguilla, hosted a stunning Twenty-first Annual Awards Banquet at the Royal Caribbean Resort on Saturday night, February 8.
With forty-nine years in total, since its inception in the pursuit of excellence, Sunshine Theatre is continuing to influence the people of Anguilla and the rest of the Caribbean. This was seen by the large turnout at its weekend event which filled the resort’s sprawling conference/hospitality room to capacity. It was a well-organised formal event with the main hosts, playwright and culture bearer, Mr. Felix Fleming, and his wife, Mrs. Mona Fleming, President of Sunshine Theatre, ably assisted by some of their performers with the banquet arrangements.
There were four awardees as follows:
• Mr. Lloyd Gumbs, a Horticulturist, Photographer and Live Stream Social Media personality with 15,000 followers. He received the Community Service Award sponsored by the Anguilla Social Security Board, and presented by Director Mr. Timothy Hodge. Mr. Gumbs was serenaded by Singer and School Teacher, Ms. Sandra Liddie.
• Miss Janyka Richardson, a Sixth Form Student at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, now in her final year; a student with two culinary arts internships at Four Seasons Anguilla; and an avid Footballer. She was the recipient of the Shining Light Youth Arts & Culture Award presented by Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Jemila Morson-Hodge, on behalf of the Anguilla Electricity Company. She was serenaded by Ms. Jane Rogers.
• Mr. Malcolm Webster. A performer in the recent Simon Peter drama. He received the Theatre Arts & Culture Award. It was sponsored, and presented, by Ms. Palmavon Webster of Webster Law. The award was received on his behalf by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Webster. Malcolm, a Civil Engineer, is the Director of Facilities with the Health Authority of Anguilla.
• Ms. Fedalia Richardson (Shea Shea), a former Calypso Monarch and Miss Anguilla; a sort-after Performer and Entertainer; and Ministry of Health Worker. She was the recipient of the Artist of the Year Award presented by Mrs. Wanda Brooks on behalf of D-3 Enterprises Ltd. Shea Shea was serenaded by Poet, Mr. Alexis Ryan, a Customs Officer.
The keynote address on arts and culture was to have been delivered by Dr. Vincent Adams, an Anguillian national in the United States who was unable to be present. In a note to Mrs. Mona Fleming, apologising for his absence, Dr. Adams offered his best wishes for the event.
Mr. Felix Fleming took over the role of keynote speaker. He examined the importance of theatre arts and culture to Anguilla; took a look at social and economic factors on the island; and stressed the need to hone the skills of young people in Anguilla to make them productive citizens – to fulfill the tasks ahead for the next generation of Anguillians.
The ceremony was ably chaired by Dr. Karl Dawson, President of the Anguilla Community College. The musical entertainment was provided by D.J. Sugar, adding much to a delightful event.
