PATRONS of this year’s satirical Pampalam surely got their money’s worth as the cast overturned “all . . . de fine change” this island has encountered in recent times.
The show lives on under the more than capable directorship of Pauline Layne, as she maintains that her late sister Jeannette Layne-Clark’s legacy must continue.
“Jeannette’s shoes . . . are not easy to fill, and I have absolutely no intention of attempting to do this. In fact, you will see that we have gone down memory lane more than once, by including some of her poems throughout the programme, and we intend that this will become a feature of future shows.”
Layne views Pampalam as critical to the Barbadian social landscape, “allowing us the opportunity to see and laugh at ourselves” as we subconsciously “reflect on the issues which affect us”. Layne has also taken on production and writing duties, penning 16 of the show’s 20 poems this year.
Much of the material for the show, subtitled All In De Fine Change, reflects the prevalent slow economic climate and its effect on the average Bajan. This issue was best explored in pieces such as Recession, Shoppin’ Woes, Mo’ Lotto Luck and the hymn parody, Trus’ An Don’ Pay, while Connections spoke on the related concern of unemployment, stressing “de secret is who yuh know”.
Layne also commented on social issues such as the unstoppable giant African snail in From Africa With Love?, the lament of an opportunistic Bajan landlady following the deportation of her Guyanese tenants in Singin’ De Blues, and MCTV pirates being made to “walk the plank” by CBC in De Dream Is Over.
Politicians were not to be spared, as characters depicted their quirks in the satire-nipped Hopscotch and the incisive Baccanal In De House.
The usual suspects Myrna Squires (Mabel) and Angela Weithers (Lottie) return, along with NIFCA Award-winning comedic actress Yolanda Holder (Vashti, Dora, Bam, Nicey the drunk) and seasoned Stage One Theatre member Janice Perryman (Stella, Bim, Vicey). The resourceful Paul Puckerin lends his talents again after his debut in 2009, this year playing Bruggadung Boarhog, Hushfield, and the flamboyant homosexual Punky Malone.
Joining in for the first time is Leon Phillips, who plays the cantankerous homosexual Tootsie Gill, and the “errant schoolboy”, as well as the youngest addition to the cast, the talented Stacey Cummins (Gwennie Rice, Bashy Girl, Shaquanda).
