Michael Manley sends a pet monkey

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Debra Ehrhardt left Jamaica in the 1970s, a period permanently associated with the Michael Manley-led People's National Party government, the socialist political outlook and the bloody 1980 election campaign.

There was also Manley's famous "five flights" advisory and the many Jamaicans, notably from the upper and middle classes, who fled in droves.

While Ehrhardt left during that time and Jamaica, Farewell, therefore, touches on that period, she makes it clear that the production is not political. "The play is not a political story at all," Ehrhardt said.

And she says "I adored Mr Manley" - and she does not mean as a political leader. "I loved monkeys. I went to Mommy and asked her if I could get a monkey and she said the only ones in Jamaica were at the zoo," Ehrhardt explained.

She figured that since Manley was prime minister, he could get her one so, without telling her mother, she duly wrote him, making her request. A week passed and there was no reply, so she wrote again, asking "please take a minute out of your very busy schedule to ask the zookeeper to give me a monkey". Another week passed and still there was no reply and so another letter was dispatched, pleading "I have been dreaming of a monkey for years now".

Black car

Some days later Ehrhardt was at home and "I see a black car turn the corner. I know Mr Manley coming with the monkey. It drive right up to my gate and a well-dressed man come out". In impeccable, officious tones he asked if a particular young lady lived there and then "him go to the trunk, open the trunk and take out a big box and say 'the prime minister said to give you this'."

It was a big stuffed monkey, along with a note that began 'Dear Debbie'.

It read in part "I am sorry I could not get you a live monkey. Your English is excellent. You seem a very bright, wonderful young miss. I am happy to be your new friend. Love, Mike."

"Mike! Not Michael, Mike!" Ehrhardt emphasised, the memory and thrill fresh more than 30 years later.

"I was in love with that man from eight years old. I was very mad when he married Beverley. I was hoping that he would wait for me!"

So in Jamaica, Farewell "I have nothing bad to say. I am only talking the truth from that era".