The NDTC at work in their fortieth season.JAMAICA'S RENOWNED National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) is 40 years old and like all institutions of age it must periodically re-invent itself in order to survive.
The large majority of new-generation dancers in this internationally acclaimed Jamaican culture group were not born when Rex Nettleford and Eddy Thomas led a band of 18 artistes to found the company back in 1962. In fact there are works in the repertoire which were created before many of them were born and others from the present corps viewed the NDTC performers as toddlers and youngsters growing up.
Largely city-bred, they have had to learn about the traditional lore of Jamaica and field trips to rural rituals are still part of the training. These cover dinki-mini, gerreh, tambu, kumina and bruckins on which is based a new work by Barry Moncrieffe and Joyce Campbell.
The shaping of a vocabulary, technique and style which are faithful to Jamaican and Caribbean realities, and unique and original for that matter, have been the strongest influences on Jamaican dance theatre since Independence. This is so loyal aficionados and breakaway rebels alike as is the custom in all pioneering artistic movements. However, the NDTC continues into maturity and rejuvenation with the new generation dancers who even while they develop, have the support of slightly older and more accomplished performers reared in the 'NDTC system'.
Under the watchful and keen eyes of retired ace performer Barry Moncrieffe (now Artistic Co-ordinator) and 'Balletmistress' Arlene Richard (arguably the finest female dance performer of the decade and talented costume designer and choreographer as well) the dancers have rehearsed their way through a cornucopia of revived works, active repertoire pieces and new works by guest choreographers David Brown, of New York, Jean-Guy Saintus of Haiti and NDTC alumnus Tony Wilson.
The season ends this week with a final gala tomorrow.
