THE BIG SHOW, which will host five of its six shows at the soon-to-be-closed Plantation Theatre, is seriously discussing with one of its sponsors the possibility of building its own venue.
Even as the tent prepares to open Sunday, chairman Hallam Nicholls told the media yesterday that they had discussed the matter with Digicel and a new venue could be in the works in the near future.
“I’ve tried to encourage Digicel to construct a venue to accommodate probably 2 000 people or a bit more . . . . I’ve also asked them, and Alex [Tasker, Digicel’s commercial director] can attest to this, to let it come with the latest equipment because one of the constraints is the cost of producing a tent. Glitz and glamour
The Big Show costs us $20 000 every night we come out . . . . Digicel is looking at it and I believe it will come to fruition in the not-too-distant future,” Nicholls told those attending the tent’s launch at Hilton Barbados.
Promising glitz and glamour, First Citizens Bank Digicel The Big Show will feature six shows this year, with five at The Plantation, starting Sunday and continuing June 30, July 7, 14 and 21. The tent will be judged on July 12 at a venue to be announced.
One innovation is the possibility of sponsorship by cricket’s Caribbean Premier League, which runs from July 30 to August 6 and is also sponsored by Digicel.
“It’s really a good window for them to come on board with us and let us talk about calypso cricket. That’s what [our cricket] used to be called years ago, and now that T20 cricket is the thing, it gives new meaning to calypso cricket,” said Nicholls.
The other innovation is live streaming at a cost to viewers, mainly being targeted across the Bajan diaspora.
The cast is John King, Gabby, Red Plastic Bag, Serenader, Adonijah, Pompey, Miguel, Biggie Irie, Mr Dale, TC, Natahlee, Classic, Leah and emcee Mac Fingall. (RJ)