Veteran actor calls for more performance spaces

Veteran actor and king of comedy, Oliver Samuels, is calling on leaders in both the public and private sectors of Jamaica to invest more in the performing arts.

In a conversation with The Sunday Gleaner, Samuels explained that while there is talent to be unearthed all across the island, there is a lack of spaces for said talent to grow, strive and learn in.

“The theatre is alive and well, and you will find that across every culture. But we need government and private sector intervention too. We need spaces – and mi a talk spaces with modern innovations,” he said.

Samuels argued that talent can bloom almost anywhere if given the right circumstances, but, if left alone, negativity can creep into the garden.

“Even community centres with space for the pickney dem to use up them spare time productively. Or even church grounds that used to full with young people practising for Cantata – those things are almost non-existent.”

The Oliver at Large actor has been a pillar in the local arts sector for more than 50 years. His latest presentation, Teet an’ Tung, is a continuation of the lessons he has learnt over that time.

“Watch yah now, every year I am expected to come up with a new play to perform in Canada for Mother’s Day. So, while wondering what to do this year, something about the proverb ‘ teet an tung muss meet’ keep replaying in my mind,” Samuels recalled.

“All mi a tink bout it an’ a tink bout it, the story just continued to form and grow ‘till it reach weh it reach. But it is a focus on the Jamaican proverb and how our sayings are a true reflection of the Jamaican space,” he added.

Most of the works Samuels has engaged in have been just that – a reflection of Jamaica and its inhabitants, which, for him, are still his favourite people to perform for.

“Something about performing a yaad is vastly different from anywhere else in the world. We laugh the loudest and clap the hardest, and nothing will ever beat that for me,” he said.

Samuels was honoured on Friday by beer brand Red Stripe with a Red Stripe Living Legend award.

Teet an’ Tung opened on February 29 and goes up to March 22, showing at the Little Theatre in St Andrew.

kenrick.morgan@gleanerjm.com