THE FRANK COLLYMORE HALL was “ben up” on Tuesday night.
Porgie & Murda were not on stage, but they were represented on the last night of the Digicel NIFCA Performing Arts Finals where theatre arts took centre stage.
It started with Hasani Wilson who sang about his intention to “ben up” the sexy Ms Kadooment.
Then DJ Simmons’ face was “ben up” at some point in Feel I Ain Know Wuh Gine On?
And with people like Adrian Green and Janine White among those vying for NIFCA gold, silver, bronze and other incentive prizes, members of the audience were “ben up” with laughter on numerous occasions and at other times when they got the drift.
Green was actually “ben up” when he deliberately led patrons down a particular path in Too Small. It was not that they were small-minded, but because of the clever spoken word artiste who knows how to use his tools for a desired effect.
Add to all that, theatre normally attracts a capacity crowd, so by virtue of numbers alone the FCH was, well – “ben up”.
Those who prefer a mixed offering instead of a single discipline got a little bit of what finals in the past used to be.
Three music pieces which could not be accommodated on the previous night that saw 20-plus performances were included among the 17 presentations for theatre arts. And they got a double dose of Faith Hoyte’s Me, which was arranged by Jason Williams.
Golden form
The Harrison College Steel Orchestra got the first half under way with Me, and Olakunde Steel Orchestra was the opening act for the second half. Olakunde did Paradise Garden and Me.
White was in golden form with The Red Hibiscus, in which she put her special touch to the domestic violence theme. Patrons did not have petals, but their applause made it clear they loved her.
She was in a lighter mode when she returned with I’s A Bajan, but her observations were on point once again.
Violence was a major theme on the night. The HMP Drama Group looked at bullying in Tell Me Wuh Tuh Do. The kicks and roughing up were all too real at intervals, to the point where soft gasps could be heard through the audience. Some tightening may help them for future performances, but the treatment of the subject was good.
Members of the group returned later for Daddy, which encouraged fathers to accept their responsibility.
Dancin’ Africa also looked at bullying in the multi-media piece Listen, it will indeed be interesting to see which group ends up with the incentive prize.
DJ Simmons was a noticeable voice on violence as well, depicting it through Madd’s Last Saturday Night.
Richelle Adams looked into her mirror on the wall and gave her reflections on the subject. Child Abuse and domestic violence were examined in Images.
The duo in LSD called attention to themselves with You Cut Me. The newcomers to the NIFCA stage have an interesting style and cleverly explored some of the topical issues on the day in their social commentary. This first outing should not go away unrewarded. Kudos on a great job.
Ellerslie Secondary also did a commendable job with Speaking Of Mothers.
Another bit of nostalgia came from Jennifer Burrows who used one of the popular skits from Pampalam to grab the judges’ attention and entertain with Tribute to Janette Layne-Clark.
Non-communicable diseases, which is occupying the attention of healthcare professionals and governments, was examined in I Don Put Sugar in My Tea by Tia Phillips.
Patrons may get an opportunity to see some of the above acts alongside select performers from the youth, dance and music nights at the gala on November 23 at the Gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.
• yvettebest@nationnews.com
