The filming of the court martial of Captain John Lawford, following the famous Wreck of the Ten Sail, in production by the National Museum. Actors, from left, are Bill Milligan, Tim Parker, Edward Todd and Brynmor Martin, all teachers at John Gray High School.

The filming of the most famous maritime disaster in the Cayman Islands, the Wreck of the Ten Sail, is currently underway, with the National Museum’s Education Officer Nasaria Chollette directing the events.

This video production is one of three currently retelling major historical events, several relating to the history of the Courts in the Cayman Islands. Once the Museum re-opens in the first quarter of 2009, visitors to the facility will be able to replay these videos, which will become part of an exhibit on the Judicial History of the Cayman Islands.

The current production surrounds the court martial of Captain John Lawford, responsible for the convoy of ships, now famously known as the “Wreck of the Ten Sail”, that ran aground off East End. Another video production recently completed was the trial of Long Celia, an African slave who was found guilty back in 1820 of inciting rebellion. The third, to be filmed shortly, involves a turtling dispute between local fishermen and the Nicaraguan Government that culminated in Court action in Nicaragua.

The historical facts depicted in the Wreck of the Ten Sail video production are that the convoy of vessels captained by John Lawford had run aground in the early hours of 8 February 1794, off Gun Bluff, East End. Captain Lawford’s trial to determine his culpability was held on 1 April 1794 on board the HMS Success, anchored off Port Royal, Jamaica. Captain Lawford was acquitted at the end of the trial.

The story of the African slave Long Celia is set in times of unrest, Britain having outlawed the slave trade in 1807 in the UK – but not in the colonies; in the Cayman Islands slavery was not abolished until 1835. Understandably, rumours of freedom began to reach the ears of enslaved Africans, and slave owners in turn sought to maintain their domination. Even though it was dangerous to speak about this premature news, hope silently grew and voices were raised, leading to the 1820 trial of Long Celia, who was found guilty of sedition and stirring up rebellion.

Playing Long Celia is Shanek Connolly, a John Gray High School student taught by Mrs Chollette prior to her joining the Museum last month. Shanek’s involvement in the shoot is part of new drama teacher Charlene Jarrett’s arts internship programme.

Cynthia Arie Hew played the character, Sarah, who brought the charges against Long Celia. Also featured in this piece are John Gray High School’s Messrs Tim Parker and Brynmor Martin.

In the Wreck of the Ten Sail production, playing the role of captain and crew are, again, John Gray High School teacher Bill Milligan, who plays the part of Captain Lawford. Roles of crew are played by Messrs Edward Todd, Brynmor Martin, and Tim Parker, all also John Gray High School teachers.

Costumes for the actors in all productions, except for the costume worn by Mr Milligan, were provided by local store Caribbean Pirates Ltd, owned by Vinette Glidden. The costume being worn by Mr Milligan (playing the character of John Lawford) was borrowed from Ross Grater, who played the part of the Governor in the recent Pirates Landing pageant.

Apex Video Solutions is filming the productions, which will be edited by overseas museum production specialists Wilderness Graphics. Mrs Chollette wrote the scripts and is directing all video productions.