Emancipate yourself this 'Augus Mawnin' THE NATIONAL Pantomime Company is currently rehearsing their production Augus Mawnin. The play written by Barbara Gloudon is being done to commemorate Emancipation Day, an important part of Jamaican history. It was first performed four years ago and since then it has become somewhat of a cultural fixture. "Sometimes in life you get an inspiration and I've always been fascinated by our history. Four years ago the Government implemented August 1 as a public holiday and we decided to celebrate that part of our history," explained Barbara Gloudon, the play's producer. The play tells the story of a group of slaves who escape to find freedom which, according to their understanding, will arrive when the month of August dawns. The slaves have no way of knowing when it will arrive but go off in search of it anyway. The play will be opened to the public on August 1 with a short performance at the Ward Theatre. There will also be a performance on the same day in Portmore and six subsequent public performances. "Every year people come here and ask for it. We also performed it in New York earlier this year," Gloudon added. The play is filled with songs and poetry from some of Jamaica's best poets such as Lorna Goodison and Dennis Scott. It also includes Jah Is My Keeper which was performed by Peter Tosh. "Some of the songs are original and were written by myself and produced by Grub Cooper," she explained. The play uses drums and flutes for its music which is in keeping with the time in which the play is set. The play remains a favourite with schools and scholars who see it as a glimpse of Jamaican heritage.
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