The performance by Bermuda’s schoolchildren at the Caribbean Secondary School Festival in Barbados has been hailed as an outstanding success by Conchita Ming, Bermuda’s chairperson of the festival.

They performed Kim Dismont Robinson’s play, Emancipation: A Love Story, directed by Alan Smith.

Eight countries participated — Bermuda, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, BVI, Barbados, Anguilla, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

On Thursday night, the Bermuda cast learned that their play had been chosen as one of the three best in the festival and as such they did a repeat performance on Friday night.

“We are so proud of them,” said Ms Ming. “Not only did they perform well but they were brilliant ambassadors for Bermuda.”

Awards were presented to the Bermuda performers for:

Best Ensemble: Bermuda (Dylan Hollis, Marq Rodriguez, Marcus Smith, Tess Spencer, Ashanti Stovell, Treasure Tannock, Jade Weaver, India Wilson)

Outstanding performance: Bermuda

Best music: Dylan Hollis

Outstanding acting male: Marq Rodriguez

Outstanding acting female: India Wilson

Best dancer: Marcus Smith

Best use of production elements: Bermuda

Best directing: Alan Smith

Best set design: Bermuda

Most innovative set design: Bermuda (Margaret Potts)

Bermuda’s participation in the festival was sponsored by the Ministry of Education and co-ordinated by The Bermuda Shakespeare Schools Festival.