Chadd Cumberbatch

OBE
Born
Chadd Alphonso Fitzgerald Cumberbatch
NationalityMontserratian
EducationBrighton Polytechnic
University of the West Indies
Occupation(s)Visual and Performing Artist
Notable workYaya Surfeit (2010) Poetry collection

Chadd Alphonso Fitzgerald Cumberbatch OBE is a Montserratian visual and performing artist, playwright and poet.

Early life and education

Chadd Cumberbatch was born in Montserrat. He studied Fashion Textiles at Brighton Polytechnic, and then returned to Montserrat where he worked as a teacher.[1] From 2011 to 2014, he took a double major in Theatre Arts and Carnival Studies at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus.[2]

Creative works

Cumberbatch published his first collection of poetry, Yaya Surfeit: Mellonie Boy Dancing on My Head (Fabwan, Montserrat) in 2010.[3][4][5] He has written and directed numerous plays, including Plenty Plenty Yac Ya Ya (2006); Every Wowlah House (2015), to mark the 20th anniversary of the eruption of Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat;[6][7] and 1768 (2018), a re-imagining of the March 17 uprising on Montserrat in 1768.[8]

From 2015 to 2019, he was director of the Montserrat Arts Council.[9] This role included overseeing and managing national festivals and events, helping to generate economic activity, and preserving and promoting Montserrat's culture.[10] Cumberbatch was succeeded in 2019 by Nerissa Golden.[11] Cumberbatch has represented Montserrat at international cultural festivals, including the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), and the Bocas Lit Fest on Trinidad and Tobago.[12] His work has been performed and published internationally.[13][14][15]

Cumberbatch is one of a number of Montserratian writers and poets, along with Howard Fergus, Yvonne Weekes, Archie Markham and others, whose work has captured the story of the island through the volcanic eruptions of 1995 to 2010, and the aftermath of these events.[16]

Selected published works

Poetry collections

  • Yaya Surfeit: Mellonie Boy Dancing on My Head (Fabwan, Montserrat, 2010)

Poems

  • Magma Rising (1996), in Eruption: Montserrat versus Volcano, edited by Howard Fergus, University of the West Indies, School of Continuing Studies, Montserrat.
  • Norene's Laugh (2017), Cordite Poetry Review.[17]

Honours

Cumberbatch was awarded an Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2007, for services to education on Montserrat.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Chadd Cumberbatch". Bocas Lit Fest.
  2. ↑ "An Evening with Dramatist and Poet Chadd Cumberbatch at Olveston House, Montserrat". MNI Alive. 1 January 2001.
  3. ↑ "New Book: Ya Ya Surfeit by Montserrat Playwright, Chadd Cumberbatch". Discover Montserrat. 23 June 2010.
  4. ↑ "Antigua Shopping and Gifts: The Best of Books & Made In Antigua". antiguanice.com.
  5. ↑ "Plymouth: A Buried Capital".
  6. ↑ "See Every Wowlah House Tonight!". Discover Montserrat. 7 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Review of Chadd Cumberbatch's Play "Every Wowlah House"". MNI Alive. 1 January 2001.
  8. ↑ "1768: A Theatric Reimagining of St. Patrick's Day 250 Years Ago". Discover Montserrat. 20 March 2018.
  9. ↑ "Chadd Cumberbatch Appointed Director of Montserrat Arts Council". MNI Alive. 1 January 2001.
  10. ↑ "Chadd Cumberbatch is New Director of Arts Council". Discover Montserrat. 8 April 2015.
  11. ↑ Roach, Bennette. "Nerissa Golden Named Acting Director of the Montserrat Arts Council".
  12. ↑ Roach, Bennette. "Montserrat represents at CARIFESTA".
  13. ↑ Ramlochan, Shivanee. "Packed house at Tea Time Poetry".
  14. ↑ "Montserrat Poetry to Be Featured on UK Radio". Discover Montserrat. 11 February 2019.
  15. ↑ Roach, Bennette. "Montserratians write and publish".
  16. ↑ "Montserrat Nice with Sir Howard A. Fergus". www.findyello.com.
  17. ↑ "Norene's Laugh". 15 May 2017.
  18. ↑ "Queen's Birthday Honours 2007". Business Live. 15 June 2007.
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