The Chillout, a play produced by Tito Adams’ Open Waters Theatre, will premiere to the public on November 22 at the National Cultural Centre, with a second showing on November 23, and a private performance for schools taking place before then.
Despite 2024’s Family Ties closing to resounding applause, Adams says he could not have anticipated the overwhelming amount of support he has since received for his upcoming play, The Chillout, with two notable sponsors coming straight out of last year’s live audience. “They said it’s because they enjoyed Family Ties so much, they want to get behind this movement,” Adams told St. Lucia Times.
He says he is now overwhelmed by the showing of support Open Waters has garnered as since then, The Chillout has scored an impressive lineup of supporters, including the government, who have poured into his theatre company, Open Waters Theatre, through which he boldly tackles heavy social themes in his art.
The Chillout is Adams’ fourth large-scale production. And, with a cast of 12, will portray the intertwining lives of a community connected through a local bar and inn — which bears the same name as the play.
“You have sibling rivalry, integrity being challenged, family dysfunction, crime — It touches on a lot of societal issues,” said Adams, who is also the play’s writer and director.
His work seeks to reflect people and their complexities, with frank portrayals of connections and relationships being tested through incredible odds while the question of, ‘Can such harrowing challenges be overcome?’ looms.
“Young people are part of the target demographic because the play deals with crime and violence which I know is a concern among this generation of youth, but it’s also for all of us… and I would encourage everyone to come out to support local theatre,” Adams said.
The Chillout, like Family Ties, will feature a minimalist production design. Something Adams says is deliberate, and reflects his intention to take up space in the gaps of Saint Lucia’s theatre landscape that exist amongst a fair amount of work produced around folklore and other cultural symbols.
“We know we do a lot of cultural stuff, so, in terms of Open Waters, I’m almost aiming to produce plays like a series or movie that is grounded in reality,” Adams said.
The cast of the upcoming The Chillout will also feature familiar faces from Family Ties, with some new additions.
The full cast list includes:
- Nicquan James
- Menassia Clara Nelson
- Keziah Annius
- Clairissa Robinson
- Keri Franklin
- Merrisa Trudy St. Catherin
- Tevin Auguste
- Devon Papin
- Richard Ashton
- Porcia Gustave
- Roger Hare
- Tito Adams
To the public, Adams says he wishes to share this message ahead of The Chillout’s premiere, “You need to experience an Open Waters production live, because its so much better that way and there may be some surprises this time around so you just need to be there in order to experience the spectacle of what might take place.”
Tickets for The Chillout can be purchased from Mallos Delight Restaurant or by contacting +17584616922.
