One of the country's biggest hotels has expressed a willingness to provide free meals and accommodations to small production groups willing to mount plays and readings in that country.

Richard Michelin, the Jamaican manager of Odyssey St. Lucia which owns and operates the Derek Walcott Theatre, said the hotel is prepared to accommodate Jamaicans who are willing to mount plays, and other productions at the five year old theatre. The theatre also houses shows from other Caribbean countries, and is used each year in St. Lucia's well-known Jazz Festival.

"We would be willing to sponsor the accommodations and meals of groups -- within reason, you know. Perhaps they could get some kind of sponsorship from the airlines and then put on the production," he said.

Deputy Chairman of the newly established Interim Management Board for Culture, Adrian Augier said that the development of the arts in St. Lucia can only thrive with the exposure to other Caribbean talent -- particularly as Jamaica has a well-developed sector. The Board has the responsibility of overseeing the creation and adoption of a national cultural policy.

Mr. Augier who operates a 300-seat theatre and owns the island's only commercial production company, Jen-S Designs said there is a need for the government to get serious about developing talent on the local market. Mr. Augier said the company would be capable of providing lighting and production support to organisations willing to mount plays in St. Lucia.

Late last month, Jamaican-born tenor Willard White performed to a small group in Castries. He was brought down by the Derek Walcott Theatre, which has also hosted other Jamaican artists based here, including Keith Foote out of Ocho Rios.

"The Caribbean flavoured shows, like Paul Keane Douglas from Trinidad, and the Derek Walcott stuff get good response," Richard Michelin said, explaining that the small group at Mr White's appearance demonstrated that St. Lucians are not sufficiently exposed to many art forms, including Opera.