Roger Williams gave a gripping performance as Montero in the experimental drama 'Downside Up'. - Ian Allen/Staff PhotographerTHE JAMAICA Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) national drama finals found several of the groups engaged in experimental drama. The end of the competition on Friday saw the judges quite impressed with the results. The drama competition took place over two days at The Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, St. Andrew.
Director Robert Clarke, one of the adjudicators of the event spoke on behalf of the judges. "It has been a wonderful day," he said. "We have seen some wonderful performances." Clarke noted that the high level of presentations resulted in close scores and some ties which had to be broken through deliberation. Clarke also complimented the technical skills employed in putting together the productions.
The competition featured 10 productions. Three Three of the pieces were community drama: A Higher Level (Lannaman's Preparatory), De Ting Call AIDS (Knox Community College), and A It Mek (Portland Antonio Theatre Group). St. Catherine Preparatory presented the sole fantasy, The Magic Carpet, while Andrew Clarke presented the sole one-man production, Look At Me.
The other productions, AIDS Inside/Out (Nomadzz), Redemption (Calabar High), Downside Up (Centre Stage Theatre Workshop), Malcushon/Six in The Rain and Cross Roads (EXED Community College).
It seemed, however, that EXED's victory had been a narrow one, as the judges saw fit to award a gift basket to AIDS Inside/Out who were the runner-up for best production. Indeed, AIDS Inside Out and Six in The Rain found themselves sharing talent. Christopher Gordon and Oneal Peart performed in both productions.
AIDS Inside/Out was also the winning production in the sub-category of HIV/AIDS dramas. Awards in that category had been given out on Thursday. AIDS Inside/Out, the internal and external story of HIV on its way to becoming AIDS, went home with a total of four trophies. Included in this was 'Best Original Script' and 'Best Experimental Drama'.
The Centre Stage Theatre Workshop also feared well. Downside Up, a story of obeah, vengeance, lust and jealousy, also took home four trophies.
