Kesi Asher, Staff Reporter
Oliver Samuels (left) greets actress Audrey Reid at the launch of Oliver Samuels 35th Anniversary Celebrations in Threatre, held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, on Wednesday. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
OLIVER SAMUELS launched the celebration of his 35th anniversary in theatre at the Hilton in New Kingston on Wednesday evening.
The star-studded evening saw the likes of former dancehall queen Carlene Smith and her partner Danhai Williams, Munair Zacca, Christopher 'Johnny' Daley, Audrey Reid, Karen Harriot, Barbara Gloudon, Basil Dawkins, Deon Silvera, Ian 'Ity' Ellis and Alton 'Fancy Cat' Hardware present. Prime Minister Percival James Patterson and Minister of Tourism, Aloun Assamba, who were both off the island, were represented by Burchell Whiteman and Natalie Corthesy, respectively.
Christine Hewitt got things going on a vibrant, comedic note and playwright Aston Cooke heartily informed all that "we were celebrating thirty-five years of Oliverness", referring to him as a "Jamaican brand". Christine Hewitt called on corporate Jamaica to support their Jamaican product, Oliver.
The first leg of the celebratory fund-raiser 'Falla Backa Mi', slated for Kingston on October 1, 2005, will be held under the patronage of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson. Performers will include Dean Fraser, Joan Andrea Hutchinson, Richie Stephens, Ian Andrews and Ashe. The second leg of the show will be held under the patronage of Tourism Minister Aloun Assamba.
The beneficiaries are Food For The Poor, Rose Bank All-Age, Jamaica AIDS Support, Father Richard Ho Lung's charity work and the Women's Crisis Centre.
For the Kingston show there will be VIP, reserved and general entry seating. However, children wil have to pay the adult price. For the rural show, children pay $400 at the gate.
VIP patrons will enjoy a goodie bag, complimentary bar and station and have a chance to win a trip, all for the price of $2,000 pre-sold and $2,500 at the gate at both concerts.
In Kingston, the reserved tickets will go for $1,500 pre-sold and purchasers will have the chance to win a 20-inch flat screen TV. The general entry tickets will cost $1,000 pre-sold, $1,500 at the gate, coming with the opportunity to win an appliance.
The ticket prices for the rural show will be $1,000 pre-sold and $1,200 at the gate for reserved seating. General seating will cost $700 pre-sold and $800 at the gate.
"It has to be better than Jamaica 2 Rahtid," said Oliver said of the planned events.
Wednesday's entertainment package consisted of Lady G, who was apparently singing to the wrong kind of audience. Next up was Ernie Smith, with whom the audience identified more. Last, but certainly not least, was the fully white-suited Richie Stephens, who touched the audience with a soulful gospel rendition.
Dimario McDowell sang the National Anthem.
"Oliver has put Jamaica on the map. He represents the best of Jamaica and he has the qualities of a Jamaican experience," commented Minister Whiteman. He said that Oliver Samuels has kept his ideas vibrant over the decades and the anniversary was a great achievement for him. "Oliver yuh large, remain at large," Whiteman ended.
Clelia Barreto Hunter, Consul of Ecuador to Jamaica, remarked that "from what I've seen and heard of his achievement in the theatre industry, what he has given to his country from an early stage of his life, people of Jamaica should be very proud."
