wall of fame

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Playwright / Director / Actor / Educator / Mentor

Raymond Choo Kong is often referred to as the father of comedy theatre in Trinidad and Tobago. The holder of numerous Cacique Awards ranging from Best Actor to Best Director, he forged a successful career as a comic actor, director and producer.

Early in his career as an actor, Raymond Choo Kong became an integral part of the rise of professional theatre in Trinidad and Tobago. His first influences would have been centered around the Little Carib Theatre alongside major personalities such as Helen Camps and the dominant drama of the time.

In 1989 he founded Raymond Choo Kong Productions a major company in the 1990’s, which progressed steadily through to the present becoming the most prolific theatre company in Trinidad. His main niche was laughter, and produced many satirical pieces often with political innuendos such as ‘The Naughty Minister’, ‘Diary of a Bad Red Woman’, ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ and ‘What Happens in Toco stays in Toco’ to name a few.

Mr. Choo Kong also ventured into the field of directing, with one of his most famous directorial accomplishments being that of ‘Mary Could Dance’. He also directed blockbuster musicals such as ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘The King and I’, and ‘Mahalia: A Gospel Musical’. His talents and knowledge were also sought after for the hosting of the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition, at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop by Derek Walcott, films, commercials, band launches and many other productions.

At the time of his passing Mr. Choo Kong was a mentor to participants in the area of Self Development through the Theatre Arts as part of the Ministry of Community Development Culture and the Arts’ Mentoring by the Masters Program. He was also involved in Pride TT 2019 celebrations as part of Generation Gap, an ongoing series between elders and youth in the LGBT+ community.

Raymond Choo Kong Productions played an integral role in the growth of the performing arts in Trinidad and Tobag being at the forefront of satisfying the ever-increasing popular demand for satire with a touch of sex, sensational intrigue, baccahnal and comedy.

References:
https://ttpanetwork.com/tag/raymond-choo-kong/
https://www.stabroeknews.com/2019/07/21/sunday/arts-on-sunday/raymond-choo-kong-important-contributions-to-trinidadian-and-caribbean-theatre/
https://rachaeljames770808050.wordpress.com/contributions/