BCC theatrical production confronts social ills

A Generation of Vipers, the final-year production for Portfolio 2025, can aptly be described as brilliant.

Supported by the National Cultural Foundation, the dramatic production opened on Saturday night at the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre.

Directed by Nala, the thought-provoking piece delves into some of the more uncomfortable realities of Barbadian society.

In a time when young people are often demonised for the social ills that plague the nation, this production courageously ventures into the seedy underbelly of these issues.

It shines a spotlight on the root causes of societal breakdown, prompting audiences to confront truths that are frequently ignored or misunderstood.

Grooming and sexual abuse was one of the hot button topics.

The eight-member cast of students of the Theatre Arts Department at the Barbados Community College brought the story to life with remarkable depth and sensitivity.

Despite a minimalistic set, their exceptional acting allowed the narrative to unfold with intensity and emotional weight.

Each actor took on multiple roles, and through subtle changes in hairstyle and costume, they seamlessly transitioned between characters—delivering a tale shrouded in suspense and layered with meaning.

The production did not shy away from dark themes. It addressed difficult topics such as the blind eye society often turns toward child abuse and domestic violence.

While there is a tendency to focus on the final acts of violence or rebellion, the performance challenges this narrative. It asks instead: What led to these actions? What are the complex, often painful circumstances that precede them?

Adding another layer of accomplishment, the students also managed aspects of production behind the scenes, making this a student-driven showcase of talent, discipline, and creative collaboration.

The director’s vision was unmistakable—to explore uncomfortable truths with unflinching honesty.

This year’s production, The Generation of Vipers, succeeded in doing just that, offering a powerful theatrical experience that resonated deeply with its audience.

One such audience member, Lisa Walker, has followed the students’ development from an earlier presentation.

She told Barbados TODAY that she found the show intriguing, stating, “It was an awesome show.”

Walker explained, “I found it interesting from their point of view thinking that older persons always think that young persons are to be accused basically if anything goes wrong. This is somewhat true, we do think that the younger generation is this horrible generation, and we do not give them this chance before anything happens.”

Reflecting on the emotional journey the performance delivered, she added, “The ending was totally not expected, and I loved that about it. It took you on highs, it took you on lows. It touched some very dark places and things that happen in Bajan society and Bajan culture. Things that we know about, we see it, and then we just kind of brush it off as that is who we are, and this production went there.”

At the close of the production, patrons were invited to share their thoughts and reactions on boards provided in the theatre lobby — a reflective and engaging conclusion to an evening that stirred deep contemplation and dialogue. (STT)