Kesi Asher, Staff Reporter
Christopher 'Johnny' Daley and Donald 'Iceman' Anderson perform at the International Comedy Festival, held at the Hilton Hotel on July 3. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
SEVERAL JAMAICANS are among the nominees for the upcoming Black Entertainment Comedy Awards (BECA) to be held at the Broadway Theatre in Catford, London, England.
The event, which will be held on November 12, will see the Jamaican nominees competing in the BECA Caribbean Category. The nominees for the category include the Jamaicans Tony 'Paleface' Hendriks, Owen 'Blakka' Ellis, Ian 'Ity' Ellis and Alton 'Fancy Cat' Hardware, Donald 'Iceman' Anderson and Christopher 'Johnny' Daley and Leon 'Lemon' Parkins.
The Black Entertainment Comedy Awards was established to support Black United Kingdom comedians. In a release from the Tharmm Equest Entertainment Company, the organisers of the event state that "BECA is committed to the showcasing of the rich contributions by black U.K. comedians. These comedic entertainers have made enormous contributions to the entire entertainment industry, including movies, television, writing and theatre. We, of the Black Entertainment Comedy Awards, strive to identify comedic talent and reward their accomplishments."
NEEDED RECOGNITION
Trevor Walters, founder and manager of Tharmm Equest Entertainment Company, the organisers of BECA, said the event arose out of the need to recognise and reward the U.K.'s black comedians who, he says, were largely ignored by the other awards show. "The black comedians were doing all these shows and not being represented on the white comedy awards," he said. Now in its sixth year, the BECA has, according to Walters, established itself as the only premier Black Comedy Awards Ceremony in the U.K.
The awards have twelve categories including 'Best Male Comedian', 'Best Female Comedienne', 'Best Newcomer', 'Most Original Comedian', 'Special Achievement to the Comedy Industry', 'Lifetime Achievement to the Comedy Industry'; 'Outstanding Contribution to Comedy'; 'Best U.K. Comedy Production/Play' and 'Best U.K. Comedy Entertainment Programme'.
However, although the awards are dedicated to the black U.K. comedians, three of the awards' categories, Best USA Comedian/Comedienne, Best African Comedian/Comedienne and Best Caribbean Comedian/Comedienne are open to comedians outside the U.K. The Caribbean award is being added for the first time this year.
PLEASED WITH NOMINATION
When The Gleaner spoke to some of the nominees they were quite pleased about their nominations. "It's always a wonderful feeling to be recognised in an art form that we specialise in," commented Ity. His equally hilarious comedic partner 'Fancy Cat' was also proud of this accomplishment and added "A nomination of any kind is always a plus, our job is to entertain and just being nominated among other greats in the field is always a good thing." Ity and Fancy Cat were the recipients of the The Gleaner Best of the Best Awards for two consecutive years - 1999 and 2000.
Long-standing Jamaican comedian, 'Paleface', who currenttly resides and works in England, had performed at the event last year but will return this year as a nominee. "... Comedy is a big business overseas, there is always a positive reaction, whether people are laughing at your jokes or giving you an award," he told The Gleaner.
For 'Blakka' Ellis he believes it is time that Jamaican comedy and humour get recognition and respect. "The traditional acts have long kept the flag flying and the awards can only do more for other Jamaican acts. Jamaican comedy, as an entertainment option, has been welcomed," he said.
