Mediocre Hague Stage Show - Medikal delivers, others flop out

Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

HAGUE, Trelawny:

Medikal ruled the roost at the Hague Stage Show with a professional set lacking from almost all the other performers. Backed by Kemistry Band, this singing medical doctor eased though some Jamaican classics with consummate ease, using his dynamic vocal range. He was backed by Golda, who herself has a tremendous range and who used this well to harmonise with the star performer.

Romaine Virgo reeled off some of his signature songs and the crowd just lapped it up.

Where the local acts were concerned, Copper Ranks stood out among them. It was clear that he had planned his performance and was able to ride the rhythm along with some witty lyrics.

Local act Michael Diamond, if disco-vered, could be one of our next top international acts as he sang an original song but in the ilk of the kind of reggae music which made this nation famous. Antwan also gave a good account of himself.

Substandard performances

Other acts on the show included Tifa and Charly Black. But using soundtrack, and the sound personnel not coordinating well with them, affected their performance. In fact, Charly Black, the Rio Bueno, Trelawny superstar, voiced the view that had he known about the band, he probably would have worked with them. Both performers also made mention that they were not 100 per cent voice-wise, which also must have affected the performances.

Contortionist Slenky and snake charmer Zappata, who work primarily on the tourist circuit, had the crowd spellbound with their acts. Slenky, after riding the tallest unicycle, came back to ride the smallest bicycle and had the crowd in stitches. Working with five snakes, Zappata also mesmerised the audience.

Not always does an MC steal the show, but the antics of Apache Chief and Sarge had the crowd erupting, earning themselves the loudest and most resounding applause. If crowd response was the single factor in determining the best performance, then Apache Chief and Sarge would have stolen the show.

Photos by Richard Morais