Addressing an audience of hundreds that included the Governor General, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Prime Minister of St. Kitts-Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas and the resident Taiwanese Ambassador to the Federation, Miguel Tsao, Premier of Nevis Joseph Parry made known his administration’s plan to bear the name of Dr. Daniel, stating that the centre is a symbol of the outstanding achievements of past Nevisian heroes.
“I am saying to you this afternoon whether (Dr Simeon) Sim Daniel wants it or not, if the people of Nevis demand it, he must surrender to the people of Nevis,” said Premier Parry. “He was the first outstanding political father of this country and the Nevis Reformation Party must be given the honour of honouring him.’
Parry revealed that before the opening of the centre, he had brought three stalwarts of post Independence Nevis and Former Ministers in the Nevis Reformation Party government, Mr. Uhral Swanston, Mr. Arthur Evelyn and Mr. Phinehas Griffin to preview this edifice.
“What greater tribute of human endeavor can you give to these selfless political giants? May I repeat this Centre is not just about drama, dance and music. It is about human dignity, achievement, the purest form of patriotism.”
While the Nevis Performing Arts Theatre marks the end of a dream, Premier Parry informed that it is a beginning of the signs of things to come, and of a new dream that reaches to the stars.
At the official opening ceremony of the Centre, the theatre was named after Nevisian musical icon, Herald Michael Sutton, who died in 2007. In eulogizing him in presence of his family that included his father Mr. Cecil Sutton and mother Mrs. Sutton and his siblings, Premier Parry said that Herald Sutton was “the greatest Nevisian musician who lived and died on Nevis.”
“Today the Theatre will be named in Michael Herald Sutton’s honour,” said the Premier. “Herald was a musical genius. His expression through Jazz, Blues and Calypso was untouchable on Nevis. Had he lived, I know not what worlds he would have conquered. Just to say when Herald played it gave meaning to Shakespeare’s words ‘If music be the food of love, play on’.”
Premier Parry appealed to the young people of Nevis who were present at the opening ceremony to be inspired by Herald Sutton and aspire to reach his standard. “You must walk the walk and seek only to walk with the best. Yes, Herald walked, and he walked with the best. Let us embrace him,” said the Premier.
During his speech Premier Parry saluted all Nevisian performing artistes and called them out by name and the roles they played. He thanked the Taiwanese government for providing the funds and those who built the edifice and said that people will identify it as a land-mark of what they have achieved and see it as an inspiration as they climb the heights of excellence.