PAUL CAMPBELL is probably best remembered for the line 'Walk and live! Talk and (expletive deleted) dead!' from the 1997 movie Dancehall Queen. The line evoked ripples of laughter and disquiet through the massive Jamaican audiences that flocked to see the film.
It is justifiable to conclude that these ripples still continue as the movie is seen in homes, or simply as fans enjoy re-telling the line.
Campbell's follow-up film Third World Cop, in which he plays the 'badbwoi police' Capone, has helped to cement his menacing image. Although in both films he was on opposite sides of the law, he evidently has the same moral standing, or lack thereof.
So well did he embody these heartless men that no one would be blamed for crossing the street if they encountered him on the road.
Perhaps because of Dancehall Queen and Third World Cop many Jamaicans probably associate Campbell with only the screen. However, this February, Campbell will make a return to the Jamaican stage for the first time in almost 10 years.
Campbell's return to the Jamaican stage, however, will see him tackling a very different character. This time Campbell will take on the character of a man of God. He has already proven himself on the other side of the line of good and evil, so it should be interesting to see if he will be able to shed that stereotype. His resume, however, suggests he should be more than able.
Campbell's career has been an interesting one. He first received recognition in the productions Mansong, The Mikado and Flame Heart. The stage would never be the only media to capture his talent however. Campbell also left a lasting impression in his self-produced television adaptation of Olive Senior's Country of the One Eyed God. He also had feature roles in his other two productions, Final Verdict and Entry Denied. His first leading role in a major film, however, was as Aloyisius in The Lunatic. He also makes a cameo appearance in the upcoming film Shottas.
Campbell will now play one of the leading roles in the upcoming David Heron production Redemption. Campbell plays Robert. The role is described as a soft spoken Minister of Religion who is facing a tough time in his life through which he needs guidance. The romantic drama will open at the Hilton Hotel in Kingston on Valentine's Day.
Interestingly, Campbell last strutted on the Jamaican stage in another Heron production, Intermission, for which he received an Actor Boy nomination from the International Theatre Institute.
Other honours which the Kingston College old boy has earned include a 'Career Achievement Award' at the Doctor Bird Awards and two Best Actor awards from the Jamerican Film and Music Festival. The 'Best Actor' awards were awarded for his roles as Priest in Dancehall Queen and Capone in Third World Cop.
Redemption will not be the first production Heron has launched on Valentine's Day. Last year, Heron opened a remake of the Michael Jacobs Broadway production Cheaters at the same venue and at the same time, with tremendous success.
The year 2002 proved to be quite an interesting one for Heron. His production Love and Marriage in New York City received a nomination in the prestigious Audelco Theatre Awards, also known as 'The Viv'. The play received a nomination in the category 'Outstanding Ensemble Performance'. It was the first such nomination for an all Jamaican cast. Heron has had other theatrical successes in the productions Against His Will and Ecstasy.
After its premier at the Hilton Hotel, Redemption will move to the stage at The Pantry Playhouse in New Kingston for a limited run. It will then make its way across North America.
