(From left) Junior Minister of Tourism, Wykeham McNeill, shares a joke with the cast of 'The Burglary': Dorothy Cunningham, Charles Hyatt and Carl Davis. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer FANS OF the movie The Lunatic may be very glad to learn that for the first time a play by the same writer will be making its way to the Jamaican stage. Anthony Winkler, writer of the hilariously successful 1991 movie, will see his first Jamaican play at the end of the week on-stage.
The Burglary is being directed by Buddy Pouyatt. Pouyatt is a prolific director with plays such as Feminine Justice and What The Hell Is Happening To Us, Dear notched deeply in his belt of successes.
The cast is small, but impressive. At the head of an experienced trio is Charles Hyatt, whose work in theatre, radio and television has made him a permanent household name. Hyatt plays 'Elbert Hendricks' a retired Jamaican returning resident. He is proud of the fortress he has built and glad to be back in Jamaica.
Dorothy Cunningham, who is often remembered as 'Miss Zella' from the now-defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Commission's series Lime Tree Lane, plays Hyatt's wife, Mildred. Mildred is more reluctant about returning home than her husband because all their children are grown.
The return to paradise is about to find its snake on the first night of their return, however. Carl Davis, a regular of Royal Palm Estate and a supporting actor from Dancehall Queen, complete this quirky triangle. He plays a deranged burglar who attempts to break into the Hendricks' home on the night of their arrival. His attempts persist despite the number of security features Elbert has put in place to ward off such attacks.
Producers argue that this all too familiar sequence of events will explore the issues of inequality, destiny and faith. The skills of Buddy Pouyatt will be brought to bear in the play's direction.
Based on Winkler's own history of works, and the talent of his cast and director, it is easy to assume that The Burglary will be hilarious. Winkler has been teasing the minds of many readers over the years with his prolific writings, whether novels, poems or short stories. His most famous works include Going Home To Teach and The Lunatic. The popularity of the latter work was helped by its adaptation to the silver screen in the early 1990s. Winkler has also written The Duppy, The Painted Canoe and The Great Yacht Race.
The play was launched at Up on the Roof in New Kingston. Maxine Walters, president of the Jamaica Chapter of Women in Film and Television International, makes her first exploration into the world of theatre with this production. At the launch, she noted that she had been interested in producing the play since she first read the script three years ago.
The Burglary opens on April 4 for a five-week run at the Little Little Theatre.
At the launch Winkler was confident of the quality of the play. He noted that though he could not assure that everyone would love it, he had done his best. "I did the best I could, like I always do," he said, "and the rest is up to the audience."
Winkler noted that this play should have happened 42 years ago, when he first attempted to mount a play in Jamaica. He noted that it may be a different script but he is very glad it is finally happening.
