On Monday 3rd April 2017, Mr. Anthony Theobalds launched his second publication under his pen name Claude Anthony. It was stated during the launch that the pen name is a salute to his father. The event was part of the broader Library Week program being celebrated by the National Public Library from 3rd to 7th and marking 124 years of service by the institution to the nation. The ceremony, held at 3.30pm, was short and the audience small, a reflection perhaps of the fact that the Library had earlier in the day held its own program for the start of the Library week.
The book launched was a play titled “The Bar”. Among the comments offered was the thought that this was one of very few occasions on which a play was being launched as a book here in SVG. In fact the Master of Ceremony, Mr. Sean Fredrick, called it historic and indicated that it was the first time he had experienced such an occasion.
When Ronnie Daniel introduced Mr. Theobalds, Ronnie spoke of theater training Theobalds received at University of Ottawa, of his involvement in community theater in Ottawa, of his return to SVG and his presence as a member of Naked Roots. He noted that Theobalds was active in several area of the arts as a trainer, a technician, an actor and administrator. He spoke too of presentations of drumming and poetry at several spaces both local and international and that Theobalds had presented at each of the three (3) UWI Literary Arts Fairs held over the last few years. Daniel stated that Theobalds should be commended for his many efforts and for this latest one of writing and publishing a play.
In providing a review of the play as a literary work Director of Library Services Ms. M. King-Campbell described the plot as perhaps reflective of the social realities of SVG where poverty causes some persons to break their personal moral code as they seek to “put food on their table”. The mix of creole and standard English used by the characters was highlighted as a significant factor of setting the characters and the relationships between them. She indicated also that there was a theme of the exploitation of workers particularly those who are not very literate. She took note that there are several levels of puns and language twists in the dialogue. She indicated that having experienced the short excerpt read by two actors, she hoped that the play would be produced for stage.
Speaking in response Theobalds indicated that yes the play was in rehearsals and that it would be staged at the end of April. Specifically the 28th, 29th and 30th at the Peace Memorial Hall. Theobalds drew the audience attention to the presence of Mr. Marc Erdrich of Hobo Jungle Press, and thank Erdrich for his publishing services, stating that these services were available to other Vincentians. The program closed with handing over of a few copies of the book to the Public Library. Mr. Theobalds indicated that the book would not be offered for sale directly in SVG, so persons should seek to see the play when presented at Peace Memorial Hall at end of April. He said that arrangement were being made for it to be available on Amazon around mid May 2017.