Kay’Art revisits Dessalines’s assassination in new Cap-Haïtien play

Overview:

A newly based theater troupe in Cap-Haïtien staged an unique manufacturing that explored ignored particulars surrounding the assassination of Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Via historic interpretation, efficiency, and folklore, the group reopened a dialog in regards to the motives behind the killing of Haiti’s founding father and the gaps in Haiti’s documented historical past.

Cap-Haitien — Taking a web page from Haiti’s historic previous, the theater troupe Kay’Artwork is bringing lesser-known moments of historical past and long-ignored figures again into focus, beginning with the dying of freedom fighter and liberator Jean-Jacques Dessalines on Oct. 17, 1806, a chapter nonetheless marked by unanswered questions.

On Oct. 9, on the auditorium of Collège Notre-Dame du Cap-Haïtien, the group introduced its unique play, “Dessalines, Haine ou Ambition de pouvoir” or “Dessalines, Hatred or a Drive for Energy,” to revive these forgotten fragments of historical past. The play overseen by historians, together with Angelot Bell, is the troupe’s try to focus on particulars and views hardly ever documented in archives and represented in mainstream teachings about Jean-Jacques Dessalines’s assassination on Oct. 17, 1806.

“Dessalines is the daddy of the nation, but only a few paperwork element the circumstances of his assassination,” mentioned Kay’Artwork’s president, Chris Withersny Bell.

“Dessalines is the daddy of the nation, but only a few paperwork element the circumstances of his assassination.”

Actor Chris Withersny Bell

The play additionally explores the motivations of the generals concerned in killing the pinnacle of state, together with their inner conflicts and the political pressures of the younger republic. Some believed that troublesome selections had been essential to safe the way forward for the younger Republic, Kay’Artwork play producers say.

“The objective is to not justify [Generals] Common Alexandre Pétion, Common Henry Christophe, or others concerned, however to current the context during which their selections had been made,” Chris, additionally a member of the manufacturing group, mentioned to The Haitian Instances.

Actors and manufacturing group of Kay’Artwork behind the scene posing for a photograph a couple of minutes earlier than the beginning of the presentation.
Director Hed’D Benton’N Charitable thanks the viewers after the closing of the play

For a number of the actors, the method highlighted how a lot of Haiti’s early historical past stays fragmented. Bernard Audigé, one of many actors, mentioned his position confronted him with the numerous gaps in Haiti’s historic narrative.

“Taking part in Dessalines helped me notice how little we actually learn about Haiti’s historical past, and what number of omissions exist. Anybody who attended the play can see how a lot stays unsaid,” he advised The Haitian Instances.

One scene that drew robust reactions was the portrayal of Dessalines’s relationship with Euphémie Daguilh, depicted because the mom of his final youngster. The play presents one historic interpretation suggesting she could have collaborated with Common Yayou within the plot that led to the ambush of Dessalines at Pont-Rouge, Port-au-Prince — a second the troupe says illustrates what number of competing narratives nonetheless exist.

Taking part in Dessalines helped me notice how little we actually learn about Haiti’s historical past.”

Actor Dave Barnard Audigé

The manufacturing additionally integrated folkloric dance sequences, connecting the efficiency to Haiti’s cultural traditions. Among the many most talked-about scenes was the depiction of Dessalines’s closing moments at Pont-Rouge. A spectator described the staging as symbolizing “the presence of spirits guiding Dessalines — and the second he appeared able to half with them.”

Kay’Artwork was based in November 2023, and troupe members say their mission is to revive theater within the north whereas bringing lesser-known components of Haitian historical past to youthful audiences. Their newest play, they are saying, is barely the start.

Under are the images from Kay’Artwork play: