The King (Joseph Collington) greets the Queen (Kajah Escoffery) in a colourful scene from 'Maskarade' by the Jamaica Youth Theatre.

Denise Elizabeth O'Gilvie, Contributor

Recently, the Jamaica Youth Theatre staged a marvellous production of Sylvia Wynter's classic Jamaican play, Maskarade, at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, St. Andrew.

In Maskarade, a Kingston storyteller narrates the 1841 story of the King in a Jonkunnu band who decided to oust his partner and Queen of 15 years in favour of a younger lady, Quashiba.

Hell breaks loose when her boyfriend sees through the Jonkunnu King's designs. This incident leads to street fights between the different Jonkunnu bands in the city and, ultimately, tragedy.

Brian Johnson (Ardenne High School) as the narrator, along with his apprentice Fontaine Jones, also of Ardenne, gave stellar performances. Their characters were well portrayed and they delivered their lines with conviction.

Danar Royal as Pitchy Patchy delighted the audience.

Patrice Anderson of William Knibb High School is quite a powerful young actress and we will see more of her in the future. Kajah Escoffery (Ardenne High School) played a beautiful Quashiba, while the charming acting style of Randy McLaren (Wolmer's Boys' School) helped his role as the Prince. All the performers were excellent and the audience enjoyed this colourful and energetic production immensely.

According to Quindell Ferguson, co-ordinator of the Schools' Drama Festival, "The CHASE Fund has given us financial support to travel to St. Lucia for the Caribbean Schools' Drama Festival." While the Jamaican group is obviously ready for this Caribbean engagement, the St. Lucia Cultural Development Foundation recently announced the postponement of the Caribbean Festival until January.

At the last regional festival, held in Trinidad in 2004, Jamaica walked off with top production awards.