Brian HeapJustin Whyte, Entertainment Editor
Showbiz posed five questions to Brian Heap, staff tutor in drama, at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Mr. Heap has been a theatre practitioner for many years, and a director and producer of several productions of the Little Theatre Movement Pantomime. He has also been instrumental for over 20 years in the successful staging of Tallawah, the University's drama festival. Tallawah encourages participation not only by students of the
Mona campus, but other tertiary institutions.
Q. What's your impression on theatre in Jamaica today?
A. It is too safe. People are not experimenting enough - not using Jamaican, Caribbean themes and situations. The craft is not being developed rapidly. Actors and actresses need to come together and present new works.
Q. Do you think the media is doing enough to sensitise people to the importance of the arts?
A. No! Not really. I think we get reasonable support in terms of publicity, but I think the media needs to do more, particularly from the critics. The role of a critic is to give an analysis -- look at a body of work -- not only the particular product under review. They need to contextualise the reviewing of works, although in some situations it is the chicken and the egg situation. Theatre people are not growing. For example, in criticising a dancework, the piece should not be looked at in isolation, but where the company has reached and is heading.
For instance, the LTM Pantomime last year presented the 'Millennium Bug'. This was looked at as portraying the harshness of society and this year it returned to traditional theatre. The problem too is people are not happy with changing situations. If the theatre doesn't portray their way of thinking, then patrons find the productions offensive. Theatre should shake people out of their complacency.
Q. Which world leader do you admire most and why?
A. Nelson Mandela. He provides a great deal of inspiration. In fact, there are not many to choose from. This great man has received so much praise because of what he stands for.
He shines like a beacon. It's admirable that someone who was imprisoned for his principles re-emerged at a time when the part of his life had long gone, without any acrimonious feeling to anyone.
Q. Have you fulfilled or almost fulfilled your life's ambition?
A. I have not even begun to be good at what I want to do. I will have to put in a lot more hard work. My major interest is the theatre, more so drama in education. I would like to explore and go further and bring in other people in the struggle to promote the arts in education.
I believe that every child should be trained in the arts. Organisations like the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission have been involved in unearthing and showcasing talents for many years and that's wonderful. But we need more of this kind of training.
For example, we look at a project like the success of the Kingston Drummers, which is a programme that could be replicated across the island.
Q. What role do you see the arts playing in nation building and culture in particular.
A: It has a critical role to play especially among young people. Surveys have shown that if their energies are channelled constructively they can be less involved in sexual pursuits, drugs and other vices.
Political leadership, globally, do not see arts and culture as developmental strategies. Also, donor agencies do not see it as priority to invest in such projects. We have to develop the aesthetic sense in people and a sense of order and discipline to effect social changes.
