3 weeks ago
8
A popular pastime among many Jamaicans has long been enjoying a play – usually a comedy – at one of several venues like the famous Little Theatre. However, despite the many advancements in technology, many of these beloved plays stay at the theatre long after the audience has left.
One thespian explains this lack of widespread availability or access can and has led to a generation of Jamaicans missing out on a key part of their culture.
“What I find nowadays is that only persons who are in the creative space, especially in relation to the Gen Zs and the millennials [know of certain actors], [some] don’t know someone like Oliver Samuels,” said veteran actor Tesfa Edwards.
“That, for me, is just a travesty. When you don’t know someone who is carrying a piece of Jamaican culture and heritage around the world, it means that something has gone wrong,” Edwards continued.
Edwards, who himself has been a part of more than 20 plays over the last three decades, says he only has access to a limited amount of his own works.
“I have been in a number of plays alongside persons like Fae Ellington, Deon Silvera, Roise Murray, Winston ‘Bello’ Bell and even Oliver (Samuels), and I believe I only have one DVD from any of the almost 25 plays I’ve done over the years,” he exclaimed.
While he admits things have gotten better over the years with more plays becoming available online via social media platforms like YouTube, Edwards says there’s more than can be done.
“The onus is really on us, and it is unfortunate that we have gotten to this space. But the process of cataloguing and archiving is an important one that we must undergo, or we risk losing more and more of ourselves as the years go by.”
‘LUCKY MONEY’
Edwards’ comments come on the heels of the recently announced play Lucky Money staring himself and fellow veterans in the creative space Karen Hoilett and Samuels.
This marks the third time Tesfa and Samuels are working together on the stage, and the former says he couldn’t be happier.
“Oh my God, working with Oliver Samuels has been unbelievable – a dream come true. Working with Oliver, you get to see exactly how people outside of Jamaica respect and admire him, and that has been amazing to see how a recognisable member of your own people is,” Edwards said.
Lucky Money tells the story of Walter Nelson (played by Edwards), a political activist who is visited by Anton Desouza (played by Samuels). Desouza arrives to collect $200 million, fulfilling an agreement made when he gave Walter the winning lottery numbers.
“Apart from the comedy, there are a lot of lessons to learn from Lucky Money. Sometimes, we see persons who we consider to be of a high standard, whether it be on TV or social media or even hear them on the radio. But when we meet them in person, we realise they are not always what they seem,” Edwards told The Gleaner.
“I think the play has been carefully crafted where the comedy is there, but the lessons are also there as well. And, I think people are really going to enjoy it,” he said.
Lucky Money opens on January 1, 2025, and will be shown at the Little Theatre in St Andrew.
English (US) ·