Outpouring for Edwin

EDWIN ERMINY BAYLEY, head of the National Drama Association, was the very personification of love, said speaker after speaker at a memorial gathering for him at the Big Black Box Theatre, Murray Street, Woodbrook on Wednesday night.

The Venezuelan creative drowned at Grand Riviere, Toco on Monday, leaving a void in the artistic community as many attested.

Actor Michael Cherrie said Bayley with his partner Raymar Diaz had quickly become part of TT’s arts community, as a lecturer at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) Academy of Performing Arts. “He had a fearless, fearless kind of love as to what his work and his art could do for the sake of society, in TT and Venezuela.

“Edwin was a dedicated teacher. He gave his students a sense of beauty and aesthetics. He did something rare in education - to empower his students and give them courage to create from their perspective.”

He hailed Bayley's support for TT’s LGBT community at last year’s Pride Parade just after a landmark High Court ruling to decriminalise buggery.

Masman Peter Minshall recalled a Boxing Day dinner with Bayley who had comforted him as his cat lay dying.

UTT student Narad Mahabir hailed Bayley as an artistic giant.

“The core of Edwin was love. He walked around as love and as energy.”

Recalling a theatre production where everything was going wrong, Mahabir said as soon as Bayley arrived and said, “What a beautiful day it is”, everything started to go right. “He had a knack for mediating the creative mind. His enthusiasm was over the top. I love you. To your family, I love you guys. We’ll be there for you. I know we will carry on your work, Edwin.”

Rapso singer Wendell Manwarren sang Memories by Slinger “Sparrow” Francisco to remember Bayley, relating, “Edwin and Ramar used to bring life and a spirit to the party.”

Rudolph Hanamji, Pride Parade organiser, recalled Bayley’s encouragement to persevere when his energy was flagging. Tristan Wallace of the TT Performing Arts Network read out a tribute from Bayley’s British lecturer Prof Pamela Howard who recalled his work as a theatre designer in London and Venezuela and who had hoped to meet up with him at this year’s World Design Festival in Taiwan. Journalist Paula Lindo said, “He epitomised love. After his passing I realised how many lives he had touched. We’ll continue to share his love.” She read a message from Canada-based rapso artist Rhoma Spencer who said, “Set and stage design in TT is in good hands by those taught by Edwin.”

Bayley’s sister Maria Antonia Hermionie asked the audience to follow the Venezuelan custom of applauding the dead, at which all present rose and clapped heartily for a minute. Bayley’s cousin Natalie Bayley said, “He was the kindest person I ever met. He made us feel he loves us no matter what. Thank you for welcoming Edwin and letting him contribute and be creative.”

Cherrie read Khalil Gibran poems on death, evoking emotion in mourners.

In an open session, students fondly recalled Bayley’s input to their lives.

Nafilia Mc Intyre recalled once telling him set-building was so hard, only to earn his firm but friendly rebuke, “You’d better do it.” She said, “Since then I’ve fallen in love with set-building.

“He was such a nice loving person. Everybody loved him. I’ll never forget him.” Shania Mark said days ago she had dreamt Bayley was very ill. “Edwin’s death hit me hard. My heart goes out to Raymer. Edwin had too much to give and I’m so sorry it had to be him.”

A male dance student hailed Bayley. “He didn’t see the surface but saw deeper. He didn’t look at what isn’t, but at what could be.”

Another young man said, “In my 19 years I’ve not had much experience of people making me feel human, feel wanted, and feel loved and appreciated.” He said Bayley had got him through a tough time and got him back to doing art. “It’s not fair. It might be selfish but there’s so much I could have learnt from him. But I am grateful for the experiences I have had with him.”

A girl named Arianna explained her brightly coloured dress, saying, “I’m going to wear how he makes me feel. Every time I saw him I felt a burst of happiness.” A girl recalled hear initial fear of going to stagecraft class, but Bayley’s joy made it turn out to be way more than she could ever have expected. “He was so welcoming, loving and joyful.” She said that at the Pride Parade, Bayley and his partner were so accepting and loving as to be like parents to her. “We felt so safe. Every bit of happiness, joy and acceptance Edwin put out into this world is still here with us.” A man described Bayley as “smart, talented, warm, jovial, and easy going.” “The world and myself are so much better because of him.”

Association trustee Dr Helmer Hilwig said Bayley’s death was "a national disaster.”

Diaz said he was not sure what he will do now after the unexpected death of his partner of 20 years.

“We always had good times. We complimented each other as a couple. We are one." Diaz vowed to continue Bayley's legacy.

"I’m never afraid to show how I love him. He’s my husband and I'm not ashamed to say that. I’m never ashamed to express our love. I miss him.

“If you really want to honour him, don’t be afraid to express yourself because we were never afraid to express how we were. “I thank you for all being here at this sad moment. I don’t feel like you are our friends but our family, and I want you to feel like my family for the rest of my life.”

Cherrie said the UTT will hold a memorial for Bayley on January 23 at 12 noon at Theatre One, National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port of Spain.