Pellau Magazine: ERIC

“I was born here, and here I stay, with the people of Trinidad and Tobago, who educated me free of charge for nine years at Queen's Royal College and for five years at Oxford, who have made me whatever I am, and who have been or might be at any time the victims of the very pressure which I have been fighting against... I am going to let down my bucket where I am, right here with you in the British West Indies”. Those were the words spoken by the late Dr. Eric Eustace Williams. He was born on September 25^th, 1911 and was the son of Elisa and Henry Williams. His doctoral thesis, The Economic Aspect of the West Indian Slave Trade and Slavery, was considered an important contribution to research on the subject and was published in 1944 in Williams' Capitalism and Slavery.

In 1939, Williams migrated to the United States to teach at Howard University. He became an assistant professor of social and political sciences and organized several courses, especially a humanities course for which he developed a three-volume work called Documents Illustrating the Development of Civilization (1947). While at Howard, Williams began to work as a consultant to the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission, a body set up after the war to study the future of the region. In 1948, he left Howard to head the Research Branch of the Caribbean Commission. He later (1955) resigned from the Commission in protest against its crypto-colonist politics. With his return to Trinidad and Tobago he became more involved in politics and gave his first major speech which was entitled My Relations with the Caribbean Commission (1955). A year later, Williams formed the People’s National Movement (PNM), a political party of which he became the leader. In September of 1956, the PNM won the national elections and he became the chief minister of the country from 1956 to 1959, premier from 1959 to 1962 and Prime Minister from 1962 to 1981. During his term as Prime Minister, Williams led Trinidad and Tobago into the Federation of the West Indies and to independence within the Commonwealth in 1962. Sadly, Williams died in office on March 29, 1981.

This month marks 100 years since his birth and Mr. Victor Edwards is planning a musical play in commemorating his anniversary. The play which is funded by UNESCO is directed by Mr. Victor Edwards himself along with Zeno Constance, the script writer, Shannon Pierre, the choreographer and Eugene Bass who is the musical director. Others such as Guy Massiah (public Relations), Alaina Boochoon (Stage Manager), Iezora Edwards (Production Assistant) are also involved in this note worthy production. Emerging from a socio – political chapter of the pages of Trinidad and Tobago’s history, ‘ERIC – The Musical’ recreates the life of Dr. Eric Williams, the prolific scholar and first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. This production tells the story of intersecting dances, well known calypsos, as well as speeches and images of Dr. Williams during his tenure as leader of the newly independent nation. The play begins in the jovial mood of Carnival (las lap) of 1981, it then moves into the very solemn announcement of the death of Dr. Williams. It flashes back to ‘Bill’ as a youth, ing his achievements though adulthood. The society’s roe and reaction to him and the political evolution of the country is very evident , as accuracy and integrity of history is the key. The featured cast of 20 individuals, all under the age of 25, hails from various parts of south Trinidad, pooling a cornucopia of experience and talent in the performing arts. This production would also prove to be educational and a walk down memory lane for people o that era. Overall it will be an enjoyable experience for all.