By Adrian Frater, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
LAUGHTER REIGNED supreme at the Fairfield Theatre, in Montego Bay, last Wednesday night as theatre fans in the western city got a most hilarious introduction to Basil Dawkins' true-to-life hit play, 'What The Hell Is Happening To Us Dear', which has been playing to rave reviews in Kingston for over a year.
Douglas Prout, whose considerable experience as a director is reflected in the production, has described the play, which features an all-star Montego Bay cast for its current run, as a 'dramedy'. If 'dramedy' means witty material, intriguing scenes, good acting and a bellyful of laugh, then 'What The Hell Is Happening To Us Dear', is properly defined.
In essence, the play, which will run on weekends for the remainder of the August, speaks to the trial, tribulation and complexities one usually encounters when Jamaica's affluent 'uptown' cross path with the struggles of 'downtown.' As is customary in most local roots-style play, it is intertwined with religion, love/romance, infidelity, greed and deception.
Warren Williams, who plays the lead role as 'Brian', the husband who loses control of his household after falling on hard times, fits perfectly into his role and so does the seasoned Jane Crichton, who plays 'Julie' his wife, who showed more interest in her computer and in spoiling her daughter 'Debbie', played by first-timer Kaysilyn Lawson, than her wifely duties.
Tony Rodney, who plays 'DJ Shatta Ranks,' mastered his role as a ruthless player and was exceptional but in terms of holding the sustained attention and interest of the audience. 'Nicey', played by Makeda Solomon, was most riveting in terms of her acting and the words of wisdom that flowed from her lips.
It is anticipated that the play will take on even greater interest when Lloyd B. Smith, who will share the role of 'Brian' with Williams, joins the action. Smith, who won the 2001 Actor Boy Award for his leading role in the play 'Feminine Justice', is big favourite among theatre fans in the west and with his sharpness and stage craft, he should add another dimension to the production.
