[UPDATED] Theatre icon: No posthumous award – honour the living

IN his more than 40-year career, actor, producer and director Raymond Choo Kong received much applause, awards and accolades. On Wednesday he received a final standing ovation at his funeral.

Members of the theatre fraternity were among scores of people who gathered inside the Santa Rosa RC Church, Arima, and outside in tents to say their final farewell to the man whose name became synonymous with local theatre and laughter.

His protege, fellow producer Trevor Jugmohan, in his eulogy recalled Choo Kong, an 18-time Cacique Award-winner, saying he did not want any awards after he was dead.

He quoted: "I don't want any posthumous awards or accolades. I won't be here. Look Penny (Penelope Spencer) there. Give her. She doing some (performances) long, long...time. Mary Could Dance (a play directed by Choo Kong) and she could still dance. Give Cecilia Salazar, in my opinion the best actress in Trinidad. Give (Trinidad Theatre Workshop director) Albert Laveau. Give Nigel Scott, stalwart of the days of (Derek) Walcott. Give Tony Hall and Efebo Wilkinson, two directors that I have always admired. Give Susan Hannays-Abraham, Debra Boucaud-Mason, Richard Ragoobarsingh, Mavis John, Maurice Brash, Glenn Davis and give Helen Camps (now Ellen O'Malley Camps), the woman that taught me theatre. Honour the living."

Jugmohan said Choo Kong was passionate about training and will never be forgotten, as his legacy will live on.

He expressed hope his death will be a wake-up call to the theatre community to go into communities.

"We cannot lose another (theatre producer and stage manager) – Gregory Singh (who was murdered in September last year) or Raymond Choo Kong, or a non-celebrity citizen."

He related stories shared by Choo Kong's friends of early years in Arima with his sister and brother, talking to neighbours across a galvanised fence, eating fruits and playing in the court grounds and later placing third in a national disco competition. He said Newsday executive editorial consultant Jones P. Madeira, who was Choo Kong's neighbour, described him as a kind, generous soul.

"The country will never know the numerous times he stretched his hands to assist."

Madeira recalled one instance when Choo Kong was staging a play and learned a friend's child was violently ill and required expensive therapy. He said Choo Kong not only consoled the family but sent the proceeds of two nights of the play to assist with the medical expenses.

"Such was the kindness and generosity of Raymond Choo Kong."

He said Choo Kong was able to build superb characters that amazed his juniors and peers, and enjoyed the freedom to be exactly who he was. He also said Choo Kong made his children and grandchildren comfortable and lived a life of service to his craft.

Choo Kong's brother Gerald, in his tearful tribute, thanked everyone for their love and consolation. He described his brother as a fiery, passionate individual who loved people and strove to make everyone he met better, wiser and more loving.

"He will always remain a shining ray of light in the hearts of those who knew him."

Arima MP Anthony Garcia, in his tribute, said Choo Kong lived a full life and a life of service. He said the way Choo Kong died was not one he wished on anyone, but his friends and family should be proud of his contributions to actors of multiple generations, both local and abroad.

Garcia said he appreciated his efforts for the arts and noted even in death he was able to bring people together.

"Acknowledge the amazing work he has done and nurture the love for the arts in the way Raymond did. Take his passion, fearlessness and creativity and live our lives to the fullest."

He described him as a remarkable Arimian and a most remarkable human being.

Culture Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said Choo Kong's death left a hole and recalled he cared for and loved many. She said he was a great man, not only for the accolades and awards, but by how his absence affected people.

"Like Raymond make the country and the world a better place."

Choo Kong was found stabbed to death at his home in Arima on July 15, about three weeks shy of his 70th birthday. Police report there has been no further developments with the investigation.

A separate service was held for Choo Kong in San Fernando yesterday afternoon.

This story was originally published with the title "Standing ovation at Choo Kong funeral" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Theatre icon Raymond Choo Kong received a final standing ovation at his funeral.

The service was held this morning at the Santa Rosa RC Church, Arima, and many in theatre, the arts, government and Arimians attended to pay their final respects.

One of his last messages was not to give him any posthumous awards but to honour the living.

His fellow producer Trevor Jugmohan recalled Choo Kong, an 18-time Cacique Award-winner, told him he wanted no awards or accolades after he was dead.

He said he wanted other theatre icons like Penelope Spencer, Cecilia Salazar, whom he described as this country's best actor, Trinidad Theatre Workshop director Albert Laveau or Helen Camps (now Ellen O'Malley Camps), the woman who taught him theatre, to be honoured instead.

Jugmohan recalled Choo Kong's amazing performances, his fulfilling life and the fact that his legacy would live on. He described his death as a wake-up call to take theatre into communities.

Choo Kong was found stabbed to death at his home in Arima on July 15, about three weeks shy of his 70th birthday.