Distinguished playwright, Trevor Rhone accepts the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence from Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. P. J. Patterson at the Jamaica Independence Gala held at Jamaica House last week Tuesday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer IN ADDITION to all the tributes being paid to Louise Bennett-Coverley, 'Miss Lou', playwright Trevor Rhone wants her former home in Gordon Town to become a monument in honour of the cultural icon.
Rhone, himself a cultural icon, was one of the recipients of the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence at the Jamaica Independence Gala held at Jamaica House, Hope Road, St. Andrew, last week Tuesday.
Besides Rhone, the other awardees were Freddie McGregor, Ken Boothe, Bob Andy, Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley, The Fab Five Band and Sonny Bradshaw.
Speaking with The Gleaner, the veteran playwright was of the view that making the cultural icon's former home a national monument would improve the economic status of the community. "It's a shame that the house went into private hands," he said. "I believe that the house could have been a study or library or research centre for the community. It could have even been a theatre. In England, Stratford is built on Shakespeare's life. The whole community of Gordon Town could benefit tremendously from such a move. It just needs to be planned."
Despite his quite valid concerns, the writer of plays such as Smile Orange, which was eventually made into perhaps Jamaica's best film, School's Out and, most recently, Bellas Gate Boy, commended the tribute paid to Miss Lou during the past two weeks. He thinks, though, that such a practical move would ensure that Miss Lou's memory lived on for generations.
Besides pleading the case of a national monument for Jamaica's 'queen of culture', Rhone also expressed pleasure at being recognised by his country. "I feel delighted and thrilled," he said. "I had another award ceremony the previous night when I got the Life Time Achievement Award in film from the National Black Film Festival in North Carolina on Monday so it was thrilling week for me."
In addition to the delight, Rhone said that such an award was a reward for his hard work, courage and strength. "All the awards I have got are important to me. It shows that people recognise the energy, time, strength and 'stick-to-itiveness' and the belief you have in what you do. I value all the people who gave me the award because they didn't have to do it," he said.
Trevor Dave Rhone, C.D., has made an invaluable contribution to the development of the arts, in particular theatre. He is arguably the country's foremost playwright and is also a screenwriter, actor, director and producer. He has co-authored The Harder They Come (1969) and has penned plays such as The Gadget, Old Story Time, School's Out,Two Can Play, Everyman, Music Boy, Dear Counsellor and several others.
