BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE disparity between the opposing forces of good and evil is the focus of celebrated local playwright Victoria Richardson’s latest work.
Staged at the Sir Cecile Jacobs Auditorium on Friday (May 1), Richardson’s play, appropriately entitled “Good versus Evil”, gave insight into issues of temptation, alienation, love, forgiveness and redemption.
The plot revolved around the struggles and problems faced by a family. The ambitious and aggressive husband cared more about making money than spending time with his family. In a direct contrast, his God-fearing wife was adamant that the family should spend more time together, especially by going to church.
The play’s first four scenes introduce the family, their extended relatives and friends. The differences between mother and father become immediately apparent and their relationship begins to crumble. Consequently, the children misbehave and the eldest daughter even runs away from home.
In scenes five to nine, the dirtiness of the father’s dealings are exposed, as it is revealed that he has joined a gang, cheated on his wife and physically abused his family. Things begin to go even further downhill when he loses $100 000 of the gang’s funds.
It seems as though the father has booked his place in hell; in a humorous scene, the devil himself pays him a visit. However, the father rebuffs him, as he thinks he is hallucinating and does not believe his actions are evil.
It is only when gang members invade his home and threaten his family in the final two scenes that the father realises how much they mean to him. When the police and his runaway daughter save the day, he recognises the folly of his ways and pledges to change. Although they have been hurt by his attitude, the family accepts him with open arms.
Throughout the play, members of the audience were observed chuckling at the light-hearted parts and empathising at more melancholy moments. The happy ending seemed to please them, as they gifted Richardson with a standing ovation.
Speaking exclusively to SKNVibes, the playwright expounded on the play’s message, stating it was “a plea to families to return to good Christian values”.
“A lot of families are dysfunctional; the parents may be absent and even if they are present, they neglect their children and don’t spend any time with them. They have been getting away from the Christian values and that is wrong.
“People need to go back to those values, because it teaches you to be family-oriented and to make decisions that will empower and educate you. “Good versus Evil” is my way of admonishing society to acknowledge the need for our family units to be stronger.”
