By Tanya Batson, Staff Reporter
Trevor Rhone is witty and entertaining in his autobiographical play, 'Bella's Gate Boy', now playing at The Barn Theatre. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
THE BARN Theatre is now running a production being put on by its progenitors. The production is Bella's Gate Boy. The play, a one-man production, was written by noted playwright Trevor Rhone and is directed by Yvonne Brewster.
Bella's Gate Boy is Rhone's autobiography and he plays himself. It begins from his early childhood, giving mere sketches of that period and moves through to the writing of his first major play, Old Storytime. As a result, Bella's Gate Boy also interestingly contains the creation of The Barn Theatre, which had been Brewster's (nee Clarke) father's garage.
Those who have been privy to Rhone's wit in plays such as Smile Orange, School's Out and Two Can Play may want to find their way to The Barn. Bella's Gate Boy is indeed a witty piece. While one is unlikely to get a belly laugh from it, it does provoke a lot of laughter. The production is entertaining and benefits from good acting and direction.
According to Brewster in an earlier interview, The Barn Theatre was intended to be an experimental space. Bella's Gate Boy is evidently a piece of experimental theatre. It is the kind of play that Jamaican theatre practitioners insist cannot draw a large crowd.
Even if they are proven right, Bella's Gate Boy is an interesting piece of work. It looks at his early interest in performing (which came out of his first attendance at a tea party), his studies in drama and the development of his writing skills. It takes you from rural Jamaica to Kingston, to England and back to Jamaica.
Actually, young theatre practitioners may yet find some inspiration in the obstacles that the young Rhone had to overcome before he came into proper contact with his muse.
Bella's Gate Boy is a worthy piece of work, even if you are not interested in Rhone's life. Nonetheless, such insight is there. The play takes a particular look at the playwright's attachment to his mother and her role in the development of his art.
In fact, those who have read his work probably have an inkling of how he feels about her. The play actually ends on the note that Old Storytime is drawn from his life. The play also provides some insight into the theatre landscape of Jamaica in the early days of Jamaican theatre.
Those in literary circles have had previews of Bella's Gate Boy. In May of last year, Rhone gave the first reading at the Calabash literary festival at Jake's Village in Treasure Beach. Reports are that it went over very well. A reading was again staged at 'Checking Out', which was a farewell tribute to Professor Mervyn Morris on his retirement from the Department of Literatures in English at the University of the West Indies.
However, at both these events it was simply a case of Rhone reading what he had written. The production is not a mere reading. The stage is designed by Ellen Cairns. It plays on the fact that it is the autobiography of a writer by using mainly books or bits of paper for the props.
The lighting is also simple but interesting. George Silvera holds responsibility for the lighting design. Silvera is also the production's technical manager. Patrick Russell is the light and sound technician.
Although his performance was engaging, opening night showed Rhone still struggling somewhat with his lines. The slip-ups, though obvious, did not greatly mar his performance however. It was actually quite impressive for a man who has not taken to the stage in over two decades.
The role will be alternated with Alwin Scott, who the director advises gives a very different performance from Rhone. As such, for those who want to temper their theatre fare with different kinds of laughter, Bella's Gate Boy can make a welcome addition to their 'to do list'.
