We need to support Bermudian entertainment

I was just a little girl when my mom took my sister and me to our first Broadway musical, Oklahoma.  As I got older I realized that even up until today, many Bermudians fly overseas to see a stage production sometimes to the tune of a three digit show ticket price.  

I agree that this provides much needed relaxation for many of us while it also allows us to do some other things in the respective city that we may not be able to do in Bermuda due to lack of resources.  

But after attending a phenomenal stage production on Saturday night, and with plenty of time to lay under my covers on Sunday to recoup the hour we had lost due to Daylight Savings, I thought long and hard about the possibilities of us having regular stage productions right here in Bermuda for locals and tourists alike.  

Over the years, I have attended many productions staged by Nadanja and Nishanthi Bailey and have always felt that my money was well spent.  

Having known the two of them as little ones in primary school, it is of no surprise to me the super work they do on stage either separately or as a team.  

In short, I’m extremely proud of them both.  Saturday night’s performance, Keep it Up, left me, and many others, I’m sure, with stomach pains due to endless laughter from start to finish.  

The Baileys have mastered their craft and have yet to fail in their quest to bring about “N’tertainment” to us.  As I lay back and ponder the day after, my thoughts developed like somewhat of an “I Have a Dream” speech because I truly do visualize my dream coming to fruition one day.  It’s doable. 

I dream that the Bailey siblings will be provided the necessary financial support to bring the arts to life in Bermuda.  They’ve proven themselves over and over.  

I dream that they will also be provided a purpose built arts venue and that their productions will entertain locals as well as tourists.  

Just as we travel across the ocean to support foreign arts, so will the tourists support ours.  I dream that producer extraordinaire, Patricia Pogson-Nesbitt, will also be remunerated for her proven commitment to the arts and afforded the same funding and venue amenities to showcase her creativity proven worthy and of the highest quality standard over the decades.  

I dream of musical scores for the Bailey-Pogson-Nesbitt productions produced by our very own first class musicians such as Johnny Woolridge and the awesomely talented Wall Street Band.   

For far too long we have been talking about the quality of talent on this island of which there is an abundance.Yet many proven artists have shared with me year after year that they find themselves facing one obstructive boulder after another to get our very own Bermudians to buy into……well…….our very own Bermudians.  

For far too long we have been quick to criticize the efforts of others, rather than give credit where credit is due.  I’ve been guilty of it and must admit have made a concerted effort over the years to praise even the smallest efforts of others. 

I encourage you to do the same.  In the meantime, I’m going to keep dreaming because sometimes dreams really do come true. 

Shawnette Somner is an educator and mother. E-mail: [email protected]