By Tamara King, Staff Reporter
From left, Ian Andrews, Dr. Aggrey Irons, and Noella Eldrige, during performances at 'Professionals in Cabaret' held the Hilton Hotel on Sunday night. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
THE THIRD staging of 'Professionals in Cabaret', a show that features professionals such as doctors and lawyers who are, aside from their main careers, gifted entertainers, took place at the Hilton Hotel on Sunday night.
True to its title, the show started promptly at 7:30 p.m. It offered many things, from lively bantering between Dr. Aggrey Irons and his 50/50 band mates, and the sheer comic relief that many of the performers provided to the serious commentary, delivered in song by Dr. Kingley Stewart (Ragashanti).
There were many great performances and Ragashanti's was one such.
Ragashanti, a street boy who turned his life around, is well-known for his candour about his past and the bubbling passion he has for our music. He currently lectures at the University of the West Indies and has musical ambitions. Therefore, it came as no surprise that his was perhaps the most anticipated performance. He did not disappoint and judging from the encore, he received when he exited the stage, he had stimulated and titilated his audience beyond expectations.
The lyrics he chanted came through clearly and were meaningful and witty. Backed by the Fab Five Band, Ragashanti treated the audience to a medley of original songs. Most were directed at the detractors and critics of dancehall. With the aid of the one drop rhythm, the crafty use of rhymes and his delightful stage presence, he totally charmed the audience.
His song Letter To Mama, dedicated to his mother who passed away, was filled with social commentary about things currently happening in Jamaica. Social commentary was also present in the song It Rough In Ya.
His act was indeed memorable.
Noella Eldrige, who opened the show, was both talented and entertaining. Her first number was an excellent rendition of Shirley Basseys's Never Never Never. However, the highlight of her performance was her donning a pair of dark glasses and, in her own words, "...exploring her wild side." She took on the persona of Sister Nancy and did one of the deejay's popular hits.
Her dancehall transformation went over well with the rather conservative audience. When she uttered "People are you ready?" she got the entire 'Hilton posse' involved in her act.
Dr. Winston Davidson too made an impact but he brought a more classical component to the show and with songs such as Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's Old Man River.
Attorney-at-law Hugh Faulkner, who goes by the stage name Hugo Barrington, armed himself with his '70s hit Lawdy Lawdy and won over the audience. He also delivered excellent covers of other songs.
Immediately following in his footsteps, another lawyer and established recording artiste, Lorna Bennett, also gave a good show. Half the time, she was in the audience. Bennett belted out songs such as Going To The Chapel, Breakfast in Bed and Dancing To My Own Heartbeat.
As she moved around clad in a white sequinned body dress, she seemed quite at ease. There were instances when the engineering work was not up to scratch, however that never overshadowed her performance.
The 50/50 Band was the only band that played and was also an act themselves. They varied their performance as songs were taken from different eras and genres. There were individual sparks but overall the team gave a good representation.
Radio personality Heather Grant was lively and entertaining. Worky Worky and Singing Sandra's Die With My Dignity got great reponses from the audience.
She also treated her audience to a medley of Cynthia Schloss songs.
Ian Andrews was excellent. He earned two calls for an encore after combining his superb vocals with a stimulating stage presence. He was most impressive when he parodied the artistes whose songs he covered. Count Prince Miller's Mule Train, and the 'Cool Ruler', Gregory Isaacs' Number One were delivered with comedy and precision. The audience was in stitches for the most part.
Wayne Denny, former lead singer of Rhythm Kings and a Human Rights lawyer, entertained earlier. Despite preshow jitters and the fact that he kept referring to Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams as Inspector, his performance was nonetheless entertaining.
Maria Myrie closed the show in fine style. She did the hits Orange Coloured Sky and Dedicated To the One I Love among others. These were done with fervour.
Overall the show was a truly great experience. The performers displayed natural talent and professionalism which in a sense contradicted the fact that they were not practising entertainers for the most part.
