WHEN Guyanese theatre fans in the U.S. learnt of the cataclysm that had befallen local Link Show artistes in mid-August, they almost stopped breathing. True, they were anxiously ‘waiting with abated breath’ for the summer-ending dates of the annual touring Guyanese spoof and comedy revue from these shores.
The blow delivered by the U.S. Embassy, here, in denying visas to several of the cast personnel, could have permanently pulled curtains on the shows. With the news running the grapevine, fans felt little was available to better the situation. But that was where the charitable organisation, Support Guyana Under-privilege Inc. (SGU) showed its fortitude.
Reacting with exceptional resolve, the group’s senior executives, New York businessmen and social activists Edgar Henry and Dennis Nelson took up the challenge thrown out by an unaffected cast member, and carved out another memorable theatrical experience for their fellow New Yorkers. However, other inherent constraints restricted the shows to only Brooklyn.
Dubbed ‘Madame Fortune’, Desiree Edghill-Adams said she had “inveigled Edgar in Guyana so he came back to the U.S. and successfully vended the idea to work with overseas based-Guyanese.” It resulted in her and compatriot Henry Rodney travelling to keep the stage dates on the last two Sundays in September alongside the Guyana Dramatic Corps of New York at Brooklyn’s Wingate High School auditorium.
It meant absorbing more resources – and breaths – in staging their 14th annual presentation since ‘Raise Up’ in 1990 through the ‘Link Show’ from 1997 and now a second ‘From GT Wid’ Laff’. But enough joules of energy were saved to deliver astounding performances, leading fans to let out the subsided sighs of relief and more.
The frequent eruptions of laughter that reverberated across the high school’s hall would have led passersby to wonder ‘whether the tail-end of the powerful Hurricane Isabel – which lashed the U.S. east coast days earlier – had revisited. From the major stagings to the fringe acts, MC Bobby Vieira had to call on all professionalism to keep the shows flowing as patrons ‘massed out reps after reps of hilarity’ that would have rivalled the best abdominal workout at Fitness Paradise gym.
The Guyana Dramatic Corps presented two plays entitled `Standpip’” by Derrick Jeffrey and Francis Quamina Farrier’s `Manaka’. The former told the story of the vicissitudes of the lives of residents within a tenement yard in Guyana, using the standpipe as the eavesdropping edifice synonymous with such socio-economic environments. The other comedy-drama was “set in a timber grant somewhere in the hinterland of Guyana,” as the souvenir programme indicated.
From the first show, the performances were so monumental that it encouraged digital video recordings of the entire four-hour show on the final night. The organisers are hoping to vend video cassette and DVD copies to those missing the shows, and ultimately raise additional funds to buffer their work to source and present items and intangibles to the less fortunate in Guyana.
The plays were surrounded by extended solos, duets, as well as multiple-artists theatrical performances led by the two locally-based Guyanese. Offering additional pizzazz to the evenings’ shows, the SGU designed an impressive miscellany of US-based Guyanese cultural icons, including Hilton Hemerding, Keith Proctor, Mahadeo Shivraj, James Richmond, Fluff Miller and Lady Guymine. The latter, a septuagenarian, created a Brooklyn bedlam with her tireless, antic-filled strain `Granny Fit’. Dressed in a silver thong and little else, in the latter stages of her ‘churnings’, the former calypso monarch demonstrated description-defying dexterity to the amusement of the crowd. In their mirth, some patrons leaped in the air, while others squirmed in their seats holding their ‘bellies’ and wiping wet swollen eyes. One man in the rear of the hall led a chant of “we money done” at the end of this mid-show act.
Such was the timely and superiorly entertaining delivery of From GT Wid’ Laff’ 2003 that a buxom woman in a wheel chair remarked, “this is the dirt cheapest price ($20) for so much enjoyment … trust me, I’ve been about, none can’t beat this.”
Her remark was supported by Queens residents Anita Ramcharran and her bespectacled, teenaged daughter Ashafal. “I enjoyed the comedies. They brought back memories,” they said. In assenting tones the younger Ramcharran declared her good fortune in being able to witness this year’s shows. “It was very informative linking us with things Guyanese, and since it is for a good cause they should do it more often, and take it back to other places” she touted.
Henry had informed this newspaper that the adversities both at home and in the U.S., severely restricted his organisation’s capacity to stage the shows at the various venues this year. “Available things and time were too thin to spread too thickly, so we had to play it close and comfortable,” he said, assuring that planning has already started for next year’s tour to return to a sweeping itinerary.
Those assurances mean broader chances for many Guyanese in the Diaspora to extend their ‘lists of shows attended’. Dolly Small would be one such person to swank that claim. Residing in the U.S. since 1985, she has not missed any of the tours dating back to 1990. “Every time the shows come, I come … and I feel this one is good, regardless of the problem with the other actors not making it,” the Guyana Consulate officer said at the final show. Next to Small, a vivacious Christine Williams boasted of being “a born, bred and fed Guyanese” who would not have traded the show for anything. “Oh! I enjoyed it thoroughly, tremendously, obviously … especially the nursery rhymes … they were wonderful. I think it’s phenomenal.” Labelling herself as a nurse-educator, she contended that any empty seat can be attributed to “either the Guyanese population is not fully aware or some kind of apathy”, but offered that “we really need to galvanise our community to support efforts such as this”.
In fact, Williams, who is part of the ABC Literary Foundation, sees the SGU efforts as a mirror image of her organisation’s work to provide books, computers and other materials to the Cyril Potter College and other teaching institutions in Guyana. That chord was strikingly repeated by Oswald ‘Teach’ David, owner of Woodbine Ballroom – one of Brooklyn’s premiere social hubs. He viewed the two-pronged objective of the SGU shows as socially entertaining and uplifting. “I think it’s a very good production, the fact they are able to bring Guyanese culture so regularly to American is refreshing and appealing,” a dapper-looking David said, indicating that he too attempts similar efforts worthwhile of benefiting his hometown of Belladrum, WCB.
Both nights created an atmosphere of satisfying acquiescence as artists took time after the shows to meet and mingle with the audience backstage, in the aisles and the lobby area of the hall. Rodney and Edghill-Adams, in particular, were swarmed by old and young patrons who wanted to get in words of appreciation for “coming to perform”.
A senior citizen couple was so deliberate in slowly stepping out of the hall that it reflected more than as a cause of their aged limbs. “We enjoyed seeing our Guyanese people perform, we ain’t want to leave here in a hurry. We cried, you know. It’s the memories,” the husband and wife pair who have lived in the U.S. since 1958 said to this newspaper’s amazement.
Surrounded by her mom and dad, and curious patrons, the versatile Seema Tiwari was delighted about her gigs in the plays and the audience’s response. “I’ve had a wonderful time; working with this group has been a true privilege,” the young, aspiring actress said gleefully. Her Guyanese parents Nareshwar and Veena who have lived 31 years in the U.S., were at the annual event for the first time, and they both sturdily lauded the performances. Sporting a burgundy-coloured, embroidered shirt-jac, the male Tiwari said, “I enjoyed every moment ... everything was well done. “I know she loves acting and I hope it will take her further, a lot further,” Mrs. Tiwari said of her daughter who is the Miss Indo-Caribbean 2003, Miss Valentine 1994 and Miss Diwali 1995 in the New York area.
Asked how she managed portraying Guyanese characters, the American-born Tiwari said she draws from her many visits to Guyana, and augments that familiarity with Guyanese culture by seeking guidance from her parents. “Absolutely, I love Guyana to death. I’m in this (acting) for the long haul … I’ll see you at the Oscars (U.S.-based movie industry awards programme),” she ambitiously assured.
Exercising a preference for the informality of a casual, social event over the pomp and splendour of an Oscars award ceremony, the organisers also hosted the performers, sponsors and well-wishers at an evening Appreciation Toast at the For Goodness Steaks Diner in Flatbush.
“We’re here to congratulate each other, and to bestow impressive tokens of appreciation,” Henry blared while directing the ceremonies prior to the presentation of special legislative citations. The distinguished awards were prepared and presented through the offices of Council members Dr. Kendall Stewart of 45th District in Brooklyn, and Sen. John Sampson of the New York State Senate, who himself is of Guyanese heritage and had attended one of the shows.
There, the spotlight beamed on the two visiting artists. Almost as if having to tend to an overactive bladder, Henry collected his awards and was quickly leaving the presentation area when he was stopped and urged on to “say something” by a warm, echoing roomful of voices. The wide-smiling actor responded with a terse “Thank you very much” and returned to his cool beverage before its chilled temperature could have changed by even a micro-degree. The cheers had hardly subsided before Edghill-Adams accepted her awards. Being secretary of the SGU’s local chapter, she used the opportunity to thank sponsors, and assured that recipients in Guyana were appreciative of the entity’s regular provisions. She valued the chance to work with the U.S.-based dramatists, and reminded that it was a challenge to rearrange and eventually stage these shows at short notice. “So hurry-up sometimes work good,” she retorted.
Accepting her award for her first acting involvement, the versatile and creative ex-member of the National Dance Company, Rose October thanked the rest of the cast for being patient and supporting. “I am somebody if you allow me to do what I can do, I blossom,” she calmly said about her expanded talent reservoir.
Founding member, Maurice Braithwaite traced the genesis of the Guyana Dramatic Corps in Guyana and the U.S.A., and spoke of dull and bright moments which have served to revive the theatre spark. The legendary actor, director and designer known for his roles in the radio serial Tides of Susanburg, publicised his hopes of the group continuing the rich Guyanese theatre tradition. “That is one of the mediums where we can express Guyanese comedy, and you can depend on us to come with more ‘laffs’ … stick around”.
Rudolph Shaw who appeared in Manaka, plugged the desires of his Guyanese colleagues at the United Nations to help out in Guyana when he said “we are always looking for ways to raise money to send things back home.” Shaw has local productions Jestina’s Calypso and Treasure Island to his credit, along with roles in the Off-Broadway Agatha Christie’s Spider, and Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as All My Children and Law and Order among others on the screen.
Perennial cultural icon, Ron Bobb-Semple, sponged a lot of attentive ears as he glided through a short ‘lecture’ on the approaches essential for successes in theatre. “Wha’ever we do, we gotta’ to do it right or don’t touch it, lef’ it alone … mek’ sure you plan and plan right ’cause time is of the essence,” admonished Bobb-Semple as he got back into the vernacular. The award-winning Guyanese actor also reflected on his 31 years in theatre in the U.S., and notched substance from one of his many international stints (Africa, Australia, the Caribbean) when his national heritage was identified and embraced by patrons, underlining the Guyanese pride.
Another persuasive statement came from media consultant with Air Jamaica, Bevan Springer who said that “it’s heartening to see these types of cultural exchanges continuing the natural links between our peoples across the waters.” “Sometimes, we have friction when Guyanese-Americans go back to the region, there are not accepted because there are viewed as being ‘too American’,” he observed, adding that these shows can help to alleviate that chafing. Springer a U.S.-based Barbadian of Guyanese heritage was also instrumental in getting Rodney and Edghill-Adams to appear on WLIB 1190AM - New York’s premiere Caribbean news and entertainment radio outfit. He later presented awards to Henry and Nelson on behalf of the SGU.
Also appearing in the plays and getting awards was J’Nelle Bobb-Semple, a sophomore Music Theatre major at New York University. Among her credits are the film Kickin’ It High, Hair (NYU) and Nat Turner (Nuyorican Poets Café) which also has appearances by her From GT Wid’ Laff’ colleague Marcel Braithwaite. Playwright-poet Claude Leandro whose play Interactions toured the Caribbean in 1990, also appeared on stage bringing her vast experience from Pritha Singh’s Women of the Mahabarata and Sullivan Walker’s Caribbean Women. Russian-trained Dr. Rudy Jagopat, Douglas Prince and Winston Yarde completed the range of the Dramatic Corps cast.
In relating the work of his organisation Nelson was upbeat that SGU has been meeting its objectives of supporting the development of the less fortunate in Guyana. He recalled that two years ago, SGU was instrumental in sending 41 heart monitors to hospitals in, mainly Bartica, New Amsterdam and Linden.
“Presently we have eleven barrels of material to send home for distribution by our people on the ground and the Food For The Poor organisation.” “So we want to thank you once more for continuing your support of the efforts of SGU,” he offered, stating that his body is happy with the recent collaboration with the Dramatic Corps. “We hope that this would be the beginning of a long and good relationship.”
Henry, on the other hand, acknowledged the sponsors and their representatives who were present, including Air Jamaica, All State Insurance, American Travel, Anne Blue Home Health Care Agency, Caribbean Cargo and Package Services, Caribbean Daylight, Compashione Pharmacy, Parkway Pharmacy, Raphael’s Real Estate and the Schieffen and Somerset firm. He saved louder praise for the support his body continues to get from managing director Mr. David Narine and the staff of the venue for get-together. Managers, Billy Braithwaite and Junior Horatio of North American Airlines were also singled out for continuous support, and affording first-class air travel for Henry and Edghill-Adams.
Mr. Rahaman Bacchus of Bacchus West Indian Supermarket was pointedly commended for ‘extremely selfless support to the Guyanese community.” Referring to the amicable businessman, Henry said, “every year whatever show we do, he is always there for us … dating back to ‘Raise Up’ through ‘The Link Show’, Mr. Bacchus is on our side.” In an immediate demonstration of his consistent espousal, Bacchus again chipped-in by offering to frame the awards, especially those for Henry and Edghill-Adams who were departing for home in two days.
The red carpet at the shows was as impressive as the stage as a virtual Guyanese who’s who in the New York area attended. Among them were Sen. Sampson; the Hon. Maureen Walker, comptroller of the city of Mount Vernon; union executive Hetram Mohan; college professor Dr. Sam Taitt; independent sales executive Vernetta Johnson; boxing great Patrick Forde; broadcaster Clive Bacchus; former Miss Guyana-New York Adelina Gonsalez; businessman David Singh and financial executive Michelle Grant of the Morgan Stanley firm.