Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Minister Marlene Mc Donald says critics of the National Academy for the Performing Arts are complaining for absolutely no reasonable cause. Mc Donald said so while speaking with reporters after the official launch of the Theatre Arts Company of T&T at the academy on Saturday night. "I say to (the critics) them, come, look at the production, look at what we are giving to our youths in the country, and the rest (cost) wouldn't matter...I think we complain without cause," she said.
"I think we need to sit, set back a little bit, and analyse and see what is the benefits to be derived," Mc Donald said. She said theatre company was all about "developing innovative people and bringing out the talent and creativity in our people." Mc Donald said in the very near future, more quality productions would been seen at the facility. She said a board of directors had been put in place to manage the affairs of the theatre company, which had to go for Cabinet approval. The minister, said, too, it would be the responsibility of the directors to examine the type of production and training for the company.
"It is not about academic qualification...It is such a wonderful thing to be a young person now because to enter the academy is based on your talent," she said. "We are really taking it to a different level and I am so happy, words can't describe how I feel." She said within the next two weeks, a new board of directors of the academy would be announced. Meanwhile, executive chairman of Udecott Calder Hart said he was pleased the theatre company had such a wonderful facility to display local talent. "It was an outstanding show and I think the young performers made everybody proud," he said.