After 40 years ‘Sir Henry Muttoo’ Returns as Artist in Residence at the University of Guyana and the Theatre Guild

Jan 22, 2023 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Internationally acclaimed director and specialist scenic and lighting artist Henry Muttoo ObE, has returned home to Guyana as the University of Guyana’s 3rd Artist in Residence. This is Henry’s first time working in Guyana since he left in 1976. He is accompanied by his wife Marcia. Henry and Marcia – Artistic and Managing Director, respectively – retired from the Cayman National Cultural Foundation in December 2021, after serving for an unbroken period of 32 and 30 years, respectively.

They now reside in the Cayman Islands with their three daughters and two grandsons, and consult on heritage, arts and culture disciplines. Henry carries a Master of Arts degree (Theatre Practices) from the world acclaimed Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance, at University of Manchester in the United Kingdon, a Professional Dip. Theatre Design (Settings & Costumes) from Croydon College of Art & Design , a Certificate (Advanced Acting, Directing & Stage Management) from the University of the West Indies and a Three-year Apprenticeship Programme from (The Theatre Guild of Guyana) where he cut his theatrical teeth over 40 years ago.

The value of Henry Muttoo and his work has been internationally recognized and variously honored for his consistently brilliant productions in theatre with a Doctor of Arts (D.Arts.) Honouris Causa from the University College of the Cayman Islands; a royal order the MBE from Buckingham Palace, U.K. For contributions to the development, preservation and celebration of Heritage, Arts & Culture in the Cayman Islands; an Order of Cayman (Officer) from the Cayman Islands Government and he was also inducted into the Caribbean Theatre Hall of Fame by the Caribbean Development for the Arts and Culture Foundation.

Henry was also conferred with an Award of Excellence by Guyana Cultural Association of New York and received a Citation from the Borough of Brooklyn New York – For vision and development of culture and arts in New York. (Learn more about Henry Muttoo and these programmes at https://celebrateug60.com/) As part of his three month residency at the University of Guyana and the Theatre Guild, Henry Muttoo will give a public lecture on March 1 and two master workshops in scenic design on February 3 and 4 as well as lighting for theatre on January 28th at the Theatre Guild. His Artist in Residence Public Lecture on March 1 will be at 6pm at the Theatre Guild. The public lecture is free to the public and all are invited to attend. Students of literature, visual arts and performance arts are especially encouraged.

Workshops are limited in space and open to students of the University of Guyana, Teachers of Theatre Arts, and members of the Theatre Guild and other cultural and artistic organizations. Those interested should contact [email protected] or call 592-623-3159. However, Muttoo’s major focus as artist in residence is to direct two important Guyanese one act plays ‘Tramping Man’ and ‘Duenne’ both of international acclaim. The plays will premiere in early April 2023 and mark the resumption of the performance and teaching programme of the Theatre Guild following the forced suspension of some activities due to the Covid pandemic.

‘Sir Henry’ is working with an all Guyanese cast and crew on the two plays which will première on the red carpet in April. Production Manager is the highly talented up and coming young Guyanese Nickose Layne. Tickets will go on sale from March 30. The University and Guild are hoping to attract enough corporate support to underwrite free tickets to the theatrical productions for school children, shut ins and children from orphanages. Interested persons can contact the office of the Vice Chancellor at 592-623-3159 and email [email protected]

The University of Guyana is 60 years old this year and the Theatre Guild of Guyana is 66 years old this year. That makes them two of the oldest training institutions in Guyana and among the oldest in the Caribbean. Both institutions are rolling out a series of events to commemorate their respective anniversaries. They will collaborate under a new joint agreement on some of mutually beneficial events. The University of Guyana is delighted to host our Guyana’s own, Henry Muttoo, a highly accomplished and much loved Guyanese artist as its 3rd artist in residence in this very special year of its 60th anniversary. Noting that culture and its attributes are important hallmarks of a sophisticated nation.

Regards,

Krest Cummings

Public Relations Officer

University of Guyana

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• Cayman National Cultural Foundation, Henry Muttoo ObE, Krest Cummings, Marcia. Henry, University of Guyana

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