Animated Productions seeks to strike new chord in Guyana’s theatres

Breathing new life into Guyana’s theatrical landscape through a musical production is the vision behind theatre production company Animated Productions, which is preparing to bring a Caribbean story of faith, culture, love, and defiance to the stage through its adaptation of “Once on This Island”.

“Once on This Island” is preparing to take centre stage in Guyana, promising an unforgettable celebration of music, voice, and the power of human expression. For two hours, before the watchful eyes of hundreds, the soaring notes and every breath will become part of an experience designed to transport audiences in awe.
The founder of Animated Productions, Anastacia “Annie” Shako, who spoke to Guyana Times, said the show, which is directed by Nethan Breedy and herself, emerged from the team’s longstanding desire to venture into theatrical productions, with musical theatre offering an opportunity to explore a different form of storytelling.
Shako, who has been involved in numerous screen productions, including “Shades of Brown”, highlighted the significant shift from screen production to live theatre, particularly the demands of staging a large-scale musical while maintaining the creative vision that has characterised her work.
According to Shako, the concept was brought forward by team member Carissa VanDoimen, who proposed creating their own interpretation of the Caribbean-based production.
Shako explained that the themes explored in the play reflect several aspects of Guyanese society, making it a compelling story to bring before local audiences.
“I’ve always wanted to be a part of a musical and have productions like this in the country…and the only way to get that is to create it,” she revealed. “And I found people along the way who wanted to do it, who wanted to be a part of the production,” she added.
Unlike conventional theatre productions, where dialogue drives much of the narrative, this staging will rely heavily on music to carry the story from beginning to end. Singing and choreography will take centre stage, allowing performers to communicate emotions, conflicts, and the unfolding storyline through movement and melody.
She noted that the team intends to make the experience as interactive as possible while ensuring that the production remains family-friendly.
For Animated Productions, it’s ambition extends beyond a single performance. The team hopes to help establish musical theatre as a more familiar and lasting feature of Guyana’s cultural and artistic landscape, introducing audiences to a theatrical experience that is not often staged locally.
Offering a glimpse of what audiences can expect, Shako described the production as a love story centred on a young girl who falls deeply in love with a stranger.
“The play is about this young girl who wants to fall in love. She meets this stranger in white, whom she sees and falls madly in love with. And she begs the Gods to save his life. And she’s basically fighting the Gods to fall in love. Think of The Little Mermaid. Nice, nice, nice,” she declared.
Beyond its romantic storyline, the production also explores deeper social issues, including class divisions and the effects of colonialism.
Story line
The story unfolds on an island populated by Africans, where the arrival of a white man and his relationship with one of the island’s inhabitants contribute to divisions within the community.
Through these developments, the play examines how class systems emerge and how different social groups navigate the effects of colonialism.
Shako said she hopes audiences will leave the production with a deeper appreciation for love, culture, and the importance of supporting emerging local talent.
“I would like them to take away that love is stronger than anything, and love is what binds us together. And you should never apologise for who you love; loving someone and our culture is very important. It’s a part of what we do. If Guyanese people are to come and support something, they should support not just what has been, but also the new things that are currently being created. Guyana right now is going through a boom in the entertainment industry, and we need to support new things happening,” she urged.
Despite the team’s enthusiasm, bringing the production to life has not been without its challenges. Shako pointed to the need for greater financial support, noting that additional assistance could have helped the team complete the production within a shorter timeframe.
“I think if we had more support, we would have been able to finish it in a faster timeframe. I think that financial support for productions – you always call on the Public and Private Sectors to support – but I must compliment the Government for allowing us to use the Cultural Centre at an affordable cost. They were very gracious to us in that regard, and we’re very grateful to them,” she said.
Versatility
She also emphasised that the production is intended to demonstrate the team’s versatility, challenging the perception that its members are limited to comedy and show business.
The team hopes to showcase its musical abilities through a production in which music takes precedence over dialogue, allowing the performers to tell the story primarily through song.
“These elements that exist in the play really do reflect a lot of Guyana’s social realities. We stepped into it knowing that this is a popular play, but we don’t want to put our own spin on it. I think it’s the first time in a long time that Guyana is going to have a musical done in the country where we’ll have people singing from front to back,” she explained.
Shako believes Guyana’s changing cultural landscape presents an opportunity for new forms of artistic expression, with musical theatre offering audiences more variety in local entertainment.
“So, we’re hoping that with this, we have more musical theatre in our country. It has definitely changed. We have different sets of people now present, and those cultures are being melded together. I think we are on the verge of creating a whole new country culture. So, with that, our art has definitely changed, and we are trying to present a new flavour. Nothing is wrong with the old ones because we just want diners to have more and more options for people to watch and come out and see,” she explained.
Looking ahead to the next five years, Shako envisions a thriving theatrical industry in which stage productions, particularly musicals, become a regular feature of Guyana’s entertainment calendar. The human voice is capable of extraordinary things, so imagine what happens when the body’s vocal cords are pushed to their limits, weaving melodies that transcend cultures, stir emotions, and leave an audience suspended in the moment.
“I see us having at least two to three every year, with a network of actors, directors, and producers who are not only in it for the love but who can also do it as their job,” she said. For her, the long-term vision also includes creating sustainable employment opportunities for people in the creative industry, ensuring that their talent is matched by fair compensation.
“Actors should be able to perform and get paid for it or make a living because, with Animated, that’s our goal: to not only create opportunities but to create employment. Guyanese people are talented, and we not only deserve to be recognised for that talent; we need to be recognised with the payment that we receive,” she said.
Actors in this showcase include Simone Dowding, Kefa Smith, Joshua Martin, Annie, Khristian Khaleel, Lloyd Stanton, and Iyatola Martindale.
The production is set for December 5, and tickets cost $3000 or $5000 at the National Cultural Centre; they are also available at the National Cultural Centre box office or through authorised representatives of Animated Theatre.