Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
'Mad over Bully Beef' performed by Christiana High, at the Jamaica Festival of Performing Arts National Finals at the Little Theatre. - PHOTOS BY JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THOUGH THE name of their production was 'Why Me' the students and teachers of Little London Primary are now glad that it was them, as they walked away from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's National Drama Finals with eight trophies.
The production competed in the Straight Drama (Juniors) category of the two-day competition which took place at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, on Tuesday, June 20 and Thursday, June 22.
Why Me written by David McIntosh and directed by Karen Knott and Amelia Brown deals with the issue of HIV/AIDS, exploring how AIDS victims are treated when a man takes home an HIV-infected street urchin into his home.
MASSIVE HAUL OF TROPHIES
With its massive haul of trophies, Little London earned just over 50 per cent of the trophies which were given out. Their haul included the Best Dramatic Production Overall 2006 and Best Director Overall, while Vanessa Watson, in the role 'Jackie' added the trophy for An Outstanding Junior Actress to the school's cache.
Interestingly, despite Little London's success, 18 of the trophies, just over half of the total awards, were not given out this year. Additionally, only St. Jago High with Between a Rock and A Hard Place and the Port Antonio Theatre Group with It Nuh Right earned the other awards.
Andrew Brodber, subject specialist for speech, drama and the literary arts, explained that several of the productions had fallen below expectation. He noted that with examinations coming at the same time, the National Finals always prove challenging for students and as such, between the Parish Finals and the National Finals production values sometimes fall.
"Although we encourage excellence, and we unearth excellence, there are moments when we do not get the full potential," he said. The lack of trophies awarded suggested that this year was one such.
Brodber further explained that for some productions, it was a matter of not paying close attention to all the elements of the production. "When one area falls short, it pulls down the rest," he said.
However, Brodber remained confident that the JCDC competition remained a nursery for tomorrow's future thespians. "The persons who come through the competition are still at a greater advantage," he said.
