ABOUT 'PANTOPIA' - THE MUSIC OF RAY HOLMAN
Culturally, if not politically, the 1970’s was an era of revolutionary change in the Caribbean. In Trinidad and Tobago specifically, the period saw the rise of Winston Bailey, the Mighty Shadow, overturning the Kitchener-Sparrow road-march hegemony, Black Stalin and Brother Valentino bearing the Black Power legacy in calypso and the emergence of new forms within the music – rapso and Lord Shorty’s sokah. In steelband, the breakthrough year was 1972. For the first time, an original composition by a steelband arranger entered and swept its way to the finals of the Panorama competition. ‘Pan on the Move’ ranks Ray Holman among the creative revolutionaries of the 1970’s.
‘Pantopia’ draws on this signal moment and the sustained output of this composer as an example of the kind of creative courage needed to fashion change in any entrenched system of behaviours and values. This is not a Holman documentary; rather, the characters emerge from the situations and intent of the story. In its turn, the story takes us through the period of the 70’s to the present.
Canboulay believes in the importance of celebrating our creative talent as an obligation of gratitude and a necessity of self-definition. If our artists prove to us that we have moved from a motely sprinkling of ethnicities to what might be considered a nation, the celebration of their works indicate that we share an even larger identity as a civilization, one we can proudly call ‘Caribbean’. Equally significant at this time is that we can join Ray Holman in celebrating, not only his work, but his 80th year among us.
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Pantopia
Pantopia-Wonderful show! Congratulations to Rawle Gibbons and the cast (orchestra and chorus) and crew of this very challenging and ambitious piece of work.
Thank you Ray Holman for gifting our country this huge body of music which inspired this excellent production
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Pantopia
These are pictures from Pantopia last night.
Its was held at D'Village, Phase Il's PanYard for the past week. Last night was the last performance. What a well concieved, written, managed, produced and directed musical play. I was thrilled to get pictures of the cast along with members of the National Steel Symphony Orchestra and Rosanna and my good friend, Dr. Ray Holman, one of the living legends of pan, in whose honor this musical play was written.
Well done, Rawle Gibbons, Marva Newton, Natasha Joseph, Robin Foster, Akua Leith, J Noelle Archer, Jamal Glynn, Jendayi Toussaint, Kareem Brown, Avis Bruce - Brown, Leason Jacobs and Mrs Quielle Bosland-Jacobs, Leeson's wife, Mikhel Carter and Amrit Samaroo
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Pantopia
Excellent show at Phase Il panyard by Canboulay Productions Pantopia is a steelpan musical inspired by the music of Ray Holman. Loved it
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Pantopia
"Pantopia". A play put on by @Canboulay Productions featuring the music of Ray Holman is a must see. Staged in Phase I| Pan Yard it tells the story of pan. The set was perfect and the acting and singing very good. I don't have to say how much I enjoyed the pan as well. Congrats to all involved and particularly to Kymani Mc Phie who was a joy to watch from beginning to end. It will be on tomorrow evening and also next Friday, Saturday and Sunday..
Don't miss it.
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Pantopia
Pantopia the Steelpan Musical by Rawle Gibbons and Directed by Louis McWilliams is one helluva ambitious and revolutionary work. Congratulations to both gentlemen for the audacity of this piece de resistance to add to the canon of Musical Theatre genres. Brilliant use of the Ramleela story juxtaposed into the production but was waiting to see and hear how this Indo cultural viginette influenced one of Solo's Pan compositions in future, but did not see it or did I miss it? Go out and see Pantopia playing at Phase Il Pan Theatre this weekend and next weekend at 7pm.
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Pantopia
Saw it twice, great show. This show should come to all the big pan yards, so much of information in that show about pan history. Thanks for a great show Rawle.
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Pantopia
This has the making of a Road Show up the Caribbean the Europe
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Pantopia
Morning, and blessings🙏🏼🎶🙏🏼🎵
Congratulations on a fantastic show, I was moved, to tears at times, it was a fabulous production. Congratulations again. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🎶👏🏼
I did not know what to expect. But the play was so steeped into our reality and history. It was refreshing and alive.
Thank you for sharing your inspiration and efforts,👏🏼👏🏼 well done.
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Pantopia
Hi Mr. Gibbons,
CONGRATULATIONS on the exhilarating Pantopia Steelband Musical. I can really see the Pantopia cabaret travelling the world spreading the unique experience of being in a panyard (especially for first-timers, those who can reminisce and recount their shared experience) and also introducing so many to our Steelband world.
The rawness of the script (cannabis users) and the coming together of all that Ray Holman may have endured, that his fans may have been unaware of, was true daring and exhilarating.
I hope to see more of Pantopia in the time to come and wish you and all of Canboulay Productions all the best.
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Pantopia
Dear Canboulay Productions,
Thanks for reminding us thar we must love ourselves.
Thanks for understanding that recognition of our heroes is nation building.
Thanks for interrupting Netflix.
Thanks for taking the chance [financially and with sweat and brain equity] on placing this on record.
Thanks for the hard work. Thanks to the playwright, director, actors and musicians. And the support crew too.
Thanks to the sponsors who made it possible because these things cannot happen without corporate and state funding.
Bazzo was right. Our period of indigence is temporary.
