The Editor, Sir:

Regarding the recent replay of an interview with the Coverleys on TVJ, Wycliffe Bennett's excellent research of the early pantomimes provided the basis for Louise and Eric's discussion of their early works.

The listing of the programme cover shows, by implication, the gradual decline of the English-type panto and the replacement of those conventions by indigenous elements which hopefully, as Louise hinted at, would develop into a rich 'folk musical.'

Toward this end, my contribution in the writing and directing of Busha Bluebeard and Brer Ananci, indeed was the first all-Jamaican 'folk musical' to be presented as a pantomime.

So, I was quite astonished and upset when the cover of Busha Bluebeard indicated that Louise Bennett had written this pantomime.

I had left Jamaica for London in the early '50s but returned when Sir Philip Sherlock invited me to join the extra-mural department as a second drama tutor. I was then stationed in Port-of-Spain in the mid-fifties. At the first meeting of the newly-formed Federation of the West Indies scheduled for early 1958, I set about organising a Festival of Arts to run concurrently.

All territories were encouraged to contribute and Jamaica opted to send a pantomime, Busha Bluebeard. The programme stated incorrectly that Louise Bennett had written this work. I feel sure she had nothing to do with this preposterous deception.

Louise's contribution to Bluebeard was considerable. For not only did she play a part on stage but she was responsible for writing the lyrics for most of the songs used.

In fact, I suggested to her to write new lyrics for Barbara Ferland's Market Day which she called Evening Time, still popular in Jamaica and often sung by school choirs.

I can only hope that there will be no mistake made in the future as to the author of Busha Bluebeard.

I am, etc.,

NOEL VAZ

Editor's note: Little Theatre Movement's archives reveal that a 1949 production of Busha Bluebeard and Brer Ananci was co-written by Noel Vaz and Louise Bennett and directed by Noel Vaz.

The archives also disclose that Louise Bennett wrote a 1957 production titled Busha Bluebeard, which was directed by Lloyd Reckord.