Play Mas

Matura’s play not only offers a potted guide to Trinidadian ethnicity, economics and politics, but also a potent metaphor for the post-colonial process. It is also very funny … the real power of Matura’s play lies in its reminder, under all that surface exuberance, that the movement towards independence carried its own element of fancy-dress masquerade. The Guardian

1950s Port of Spain. Samuel, a young tailor’s assistant, dreams of Trinidad’s independence.

On the eve of carnival everyone fills the streets, dressed up to play mas. This annual celebration turns to tragedy and spurs Samuel on to make a decision that will change the political landscape of the future of this vibrant, volatile island.

Play Mas premiered at the Royal Court in 1974, winning the Evening Standard Award for Best Play, and transferred to the West End. Described as a wickedly funny, exuberant and poignant play, it is published in Methuen Drama’s Modern Classics series for the first time, with a brand new introduction by Paulette Randall.