One Man's Struggle Review

On Sunday June 13^th the team at Redemption Productions closed their three day run of ‘One Man’s Struggle.’ The play follows the hardships of Edward Spence and his engagement to the vain Camille. The relationship sinks to loathsome lows when Eddie admits to Camille that he is addicted to pornography.

With a cast featuring Kirk Johnson (host of Matters of The Heart) and Pastor Mario Moxey, audiences enjoyed superb performances. The key issue addressed in the play centered on redemption. Essentially writer Radell Parks argues that because Eddie has given his life to Christ that those that haven’t persecute and undermine Eddie. Which, unfortunately is an old tried and true ideology.

For me this is where the play ran into problems. At 2 hours and 45 mins long I only saw 30-45 mins worth of actual plot progression, character development and sub-plot. Throughout the play there were small simple scenes that ran from 30 seconds to 3 minutes. The majority of these scenes required background changes, so often the time between the scenes were longer than the scenes. This should have been avoided.

Theatre is about characters in conflict. One of my favorite things about this play was the presence of the dramatic arc (begging, middle and the end). This is not a necessity of a fantastic production, but it separates good plays from bad, chaotic messy ones. Imagine watching a three hour play that spent one hour doing nothing but exposition; would you really enjoy that?

With that said I don’t think that a good job was done with Parks script. Unfortunately after the show was over, it was clear that she was beating the bush with the same stick. To me, a good work in any medium needs to be original and creative. Whilst creativity was present, Parks’ gleaning of Tyler Perry’s plot of forgiveness in a black Christian setting did not keep me interested in what most characters said – simply because there were too many stereotypes and overemphasized clichés. This play obviously deals with the drama in a Christian community, but does a good job of not saturating the audience with preachy dialogue. Although I don’t think the audience would have cared.

Now there is a distinct difference between theatre and movies. Actors in theatre must project themselves so that their action can be heard and seen by all members of the audience. Theatre is live and therefore every night of performance is different. In the movies, actors act for the camera and every time one views a movie, it never changes. The actors never grow old or change the way a line is delivered. With that said, I don’t think that prerecorded footage of scenes should be incorporated into stage plays as a means to substitute an actual scene. Essentially this issue boils down to, am I watching a play or a movie?

Now there were a lot of things I liked about this play too. Don’t get me wrong, One Man’s Struggle was a great attempt that has loads and loads of potential. I saw a cohesive cast work together to deliver a play, which is no simple task – simply because anything and everything can go wrong in a live production. I saw scenes that had me laughing, scenes that moved me and a character that actually delivered a monologue. I know that Redemption Productions will steadily learn more about the stage and when they do, theatre in The Bahamas will be all the more richer for it.

"Come servant Monster...Drink!!!"

Yeah, it's another SiP post - what a surprise! Day 5 of the festival has shown me something very important though - I can see myself doing this (theatre) for the rest of my life. But first I'll talk about my experience working with this festival in an all encompassing perspective.

I unofficially joined Shakespeare In Paradise sometime in February as apart of the dramaturge team that started on The Tempest. There were about 9 of us back then, and about a month later there were four, Dr. Bethel, Dr. Toni Francis, Reva and myself. We finished work on The Tempest sometime around June after a few months of off and on work. Ultimately Reva and I worked on the last two acts of the play ourselves and handed it in. The next week Shakespeare In Paradise held it's first meeting with interested persons which included Dr. Bethel (dux), Phillip Burrows, Reva, myself, David Burrows, Matthew Kelly, Rachel Whitehouse, Margot Bethel, Cookie Allen and some more (can't remember names bro).

Anyway in short that's how I got involved. It just sorta happened by chance. My English 300 professor (Dr. Toni Francis) started the English Honors Society which was asked to help dramaturge The Tempest. For whatever reason only two of us ended up doing it but whatever. =o

Now as for the festival itself. The marketing for this thing has been phenomenal and there is no one that hasn't heard of this thing. It's a monster moving of it's own accord at this point. That is what we call it - a monster with a mind of it's own.

The shows themselves are terrific and diverse. Ken Corsbie (Guyanese American stand up comic) is a master of the West Indian stereotype. He kept his audience with him and when he left we all wished he wouldn't. One White One Black is a play written by Cayman Islands playwright Frank McField and directed by Henry Muttoo (Guyana). All I have to say about this play is...watch it for 'yaself' and prepare to stomach some deep shit. If you weak in mind and spirit, this play will hurt you to your core. A deep look at relationships between men and women. OWOB pulls no punches, paints no rainbows and fluffs no ass. It is direct, humorous, satirical and raw.

I haven't seen Zora, Love In Two Acts or Music of The Bahamas - but each of these have been reviewed by The Tribune and The Nassau Guardian. =D But kudos to Matthew and Kim regardless and hopefully I'll be able to buy my DVD copy of their work. I'll see MOTB on Monday and hopefully I'll see you there.

Now for The Tempest (the heart of the festival). What can I say? I worked on it, but I never imagined that it would be what it is tonight. Yes tonight as I sit backstage and await my turn to jump on stage and chase Caliban (Kennedy) Trinculo (Dion) and Stephano (Skeebo) into exile. MMM, lets start with Craig Pinder (co-director). Originally The Tempest was to be directed by Nicolette Bethel and Patti-Anne Ali, however Craig jumped at the opportunity to be a part of SiP. He was not asked to do this - he heard about it (In London) and called asking for the chance. Now Craig is a seasoned actor and director who has been doing Shakespeare plays for god knows how long. So naturally when I heard he was working with us I had a jolt of excitement shot down my intestines. =D. Meeting Craig was moving, working with Craig is beyond gratifying - it's an honor. He is serious, professional, upright and a splendid role model for any aspiring playwright and actor. On the other side Craig is playful, humorous and humble. He has his moments and I've seen the human behind the resume and I am speechless.

Now, for Patti. Patti, Patti, Patti. The principle director of The Tempest who motivated, inspired, cursed, cussed and kicked all our asses and we (the cast/stage managers) love her for it. Patti is a Trinidadian who has studied theatre in New York and staged numerous productions, television shows and movies. Patti is the heart of this production, she is our mother, sister, best friend and worst enemy.

Craig and Patti are what theatre in The Bahamas need more of and it is an honor to work with these wonderful and dynamic bastards!

Now for the cast of The Tempest. Damn! Dana (Ariel) is the show stealer, but she deserves that. Skeebo, Dion and Kennedy are the drunkards and they kept us warm and smiling throughout the rehearsals and productions. Yeah, they've been cussed a few times, but who hasn't. Gene and Nicole are in love on stage and they barely talk backstage. What I mean is, they are fucking great. Jane, Roger, Mik, David, Jovanna and Sean are professional, fun loving human beings. =p Chrystal, Mary and Stephanie are awesome, did you see them dance? Love that scene. Dylan is my new younger brother and Annee is my new little sister, cause they know they kill my ass with the hugs backstage. =S =)

Our stage managers are working their asses off (Rachel and Reva) and they need kudos brother. Rachel is melancholy if you really look at her - and that's ok because she's an awesome melancholy. (if that makes sense) She's been blinded by stage lights in front of a sold out audience, she's been accosted by drunk men and she's managed to come out of all this with a grim smile. Gotta love it. Reva is my wife, so I don't need to say how hard she works. But then again... She's our glue too!

mmmmm what else?

Oh that's right. My point. My point is that theatre is hard work and SiP is blood sweat and tears poured into a pot and there's nothing more humbling than seeing that work pay off.

Don't fret, SiP still has three more days of shows left, get your tickets before you miss something magical.

It’s here at last

Shakespeare In Paradise is here and there is one more day before The Tempest premieres. Are you psyched yet? Well stress levels are high – I'll be honest – but things are jelling smoothly together. Tomorrow is our last day of rehearsals and Craig and Patti are under a tremendous amount of pressure but they are doing some GREAT work.

Those of you who bought tickets, prepare for a magical show, those who haven't, well what the hell are you waiting for? =/

"What a thrice double ass was I…" Caliban

 

Shakespeare In Paradise

"Give me your hand, I begin to have bloody thoughts."

It's nine pm on a Monday night and here we are at The Dundas Centre for Performing Arts. Patti is fuming at Caliban again and dreary faces mask even more dreary souls. But we persist. The Tempest is nearing it's first performance at a rapid rate - next week thursday. There is a ton of work to be done and everyone - even Caliban - is committed. Why? It's a world class theatre festival meant for you - the public.

"...and I your Caliban forever your FOOT LICKER!"

It's not joke that we're tired as hell, that's obvious. The humor of it is that nobody would quit or even think of it at this stage - this is too much fun! We're learning more and more about each other and ourselves. We want to do this the best way we can and we love it. Rehearsals are tedious and tricky with each character searching for his or her own identity. The directors are delightful - believe me - and we really are one close family.

Come see The Tempest starting October 8th to the 11th. Come watch our work. =p

Bloggers Unite: International Literacy Day

Tis no secret that most young people don't read anymore. For the thirty of us that do, there are at least six hundred that don't read at all. This is part of the reason why students fail exams, why young adults fail to pass English classes and why some individuals have bad vocabulary and communication skills. Back when Alfred Sears was Minister of Education he instituted a 'Let's Read Bahamas' campaign. Sears got Chapter One Bookstore, The Guardian and many others to help him help children love to read. Sears realized that high school students and adults alike, had trouble reading – sorry they still have trouble reading. In the end I think most people forgot about this movement that Sears fought for and we're the poorer for it.

As a teacher in training I saw grade twelve students struggle to read a B.J.C. level English paper. I saw freshly graduated grade ten students study nouns – they weren't ready for adjectives yet. I saw teachers – some good, some terribly absurd – deteriorate as they taught primary school lessons in senior high school. Needless to say, I left teaching.

In COB most students either fail English 119 or pass with a C – because these same students never actually studied grade twelve English. The rest of us that got lucky – those that love reading, writing, thinking – we got B's, A's, we got something. There are two majors in COB that strike fear in the hearts of the average student – English and Math – but that's a different story. My point is Sears was trying to prevent the average student from becoming content with just a C.

Now, why are reading and writing so damn important – besides school and occasionally needing to read a document or two? Well firstly in a country with few writers and less readers we kill our culture industry – which could be BIG. We damn our theatre – because in essence words drive theatre and not everyone writes a Madea, some of us write a Hamlet or two. Audiences want action, they want violence, they want bang, bang and when they can't get it, well you know the rest. This is not to say that we don't have a theatre audience – we do – we could have more is what I'm saying. In the end, literacy drives our written culture and that is no jest. So let's read again Bahamas, let's read world, let's read a book!

The Tempest Rehearsals

If you don't know, you should know, that Shakespeare in Paradise is happening October 5th-12th. At the center of this theatre festival is The Bahamian adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Dr. Nicolette Bethel, Reva, Dr. Toni Francis and myself adapted the play for the festival. Fast forward four months and rehearsals are underway and I am a part of the ensemble/spirit. Directed by Craig Pinder and Patti Anne-Ali - theatre veterans in the global sphere - is a treat in and of itself. Patti is due to arrive in the country tomorrow, but Craig has been holding his own with rehearsals.

So far we've been examining the play, line by line, scene by scene, all in an effort to gain a better understanding of what is taking place. Results have been fantastic with some rehearsals breaking out in song 'He's the one that I want...' and others have been heart warming. All in all it is a terrific experience and I cannot wait to see where it goes!

District 9 damnit

It was a rush to get there, and we were late already. Twenty minutes late and our movie, "The Goods" wasn't showing anymore...what to do, what to do? Let's watch District 9 damnit. Yes, this post is about said movie - if you haven't guessed it. =p Most of you probably saw this movie, but that's not the point. The point is that this is perhaps the best movie of 2009. Dangerous statement? You bet your ass it is. What gets me though is that G.I. Joe - a movie based on the old Hasbro toy line and 90's pro war cartoon - is described by my peers as 'solid'. I'm not surprised, I'm just tired of the cycle about crappy movies about old toys/cartoons/shit. I know, I know, it all comes down to a person's preference and I read this incredible blog post about artsy movies needing the crappy/box office success to be possible.

Back to District 9, a movie where the aliens are eerily metaphors for our Haitian communities and perhaps those shanty towns present in the Middle East. Yes, someone, somewhere will study this movie for class someday soon.