VIDEO: Derek Walcott’s New Play on Van Gogh, Gauguin
Above: the new play
By the Caribbean Journal staff
We continue our coverage of St Lucian literary legend Derek Walcott this week with a first look at the premiere of his new play, O Starry Starry Night.
The show premiered earlier this month in the Caribbean, and this video comes from the University of Essex, where Walcott is a professor of poetry.
It explores the relationship between a visit by Paul Gauguin to Vincent Van Gogh’s house in 1888. .
The play was captured by the University’s video team.
“I cried a lot – I wept – with joy at seeing it done. I am very proud and pleased with the play and proud of the actors,” Walcott said after seeing the play. “It is devastating, devastating joy which I feel. For any artist to get the support I have received from the University is immense. I think it is a huge benediction for me.”
Walcott worked with the actors in the Caribbean and also helped offer advice through Skype video calls.
The show was produced at the Lakeside Theatre.
