'Run Di Track Reeemix' improves on the original

Mel Cooke, Sunday Gleaner Writer

The Independent Actors Movement (IAM) should count itself incredibly fortunate that the projector glitch which interrupted the last show of their one-weekend season happened at the point it did.

Said projector is crucial to the multimedia-heavy Run Di Track Reeemix, a reworking of (what else?) Run Di Track, last year's summer production.

After the projector was fixed, that requiring two trips up a stepladder on a darkened stage with no curtain between actors and audience, Run Di Track resumed and the boot was swiftly given to competitor André (Akeem Bignott) - on and then off again appearances had been early signs of the failed technology. A tape of Track Starz member Kayla (Sabrena McDonald, who wrote the script) arguing with her mother (a very strong though brief Karen Ford-Warner) was replayed, this time with video to go with the audio. The uptown Mom's scathing dismissal of Kayla's singing partner and Kingston 14 boyfriend Ricky (Shaun Drysdale), climaxing in a slap of the youngster's face, was good enough to rekindle any flagged interest in the two-thirds capacity Sunday evening audience.

Shot in the arm

However, there is nothing like a good laugh for a much-needed shot in the arm and Smooth (Damion Radcliffe, who also directs Run Di Track Reeemix) provided that at a point where it was crucial. His deliberate overacting and exaggerated performance of a love song, including hitting a squealing high note and kneeling, got the laughs going and the 'reeemix' was on track again.

There was also another go at the projector during intermission, and it did not fail for the rest of the show.

Very few scenes were transferred lock, song and barrel from the original to a very strong 'reeemix'. The core characters are the same, with the additional Run Di Track contestants summarily dispensed with, and the trajectory of events is also maintained. '2 For 1' (Turbo, played by Kreshna Jones who replaces Omall Wright and Mellissa, played by Natasha Griffiths), take on Smooth and Track Starz. Additional contestants also include Alison (Abigail Bignott) and Jerry (Ainsworth McDonald), with judges Jerry Benzwick and Danielle Harris weighing in via the multimedia element which threatened to derail the final show.

The Run Di Track boss Buffy (Tesfa Edwards) is his usually haranguing, bullying self - but there is a crucial addition in his sidekick Phensic (Andrew Jones). Playing the 'half-bad' sidekick, Phensic's presence answers how Buffy could intimidate so many people all on his own, gun and all. Lisa Darwin (Dorraine Reid) is also back as Run Di Track host.

The audience - which in turn becomes the studio audience for Run Di Track - is shown basically the same story as the original, with Buffy trying to get Ricardo to reduce Kayla's role in Track Starz, and also hinting at a win for 2 For 1 as Mellissa avails him of her charms.

At the same time, Buffy is along with Lisa - who is getting it on with Smooth.

Uptown girl Kayla has serious issues with her father's suicide a year ago and is into cutting herself with a razor blade, while Turbo carries the scars of violence against his family.

In its 'reeemix' edition, Run Di Track manages to simultaneously do two things - improve the music component (that includes Buffy breaking into semi dub poetry, an addition to the original) while deepening the tale with out-of-competition stories of the players.

So we find out that the feisty Mellissa had a tough childhood and the extent to which Buffy abuses Lisa becomes brutally more clear.

A major concern with the first version was the speed with which Buffy's nefarious nature was revealed, and the resolution of his conflict with the contestants as the gun-toter is overpowered.

That has been addressed, with Buffy showing his colours earlier and, close to the end, actually shooting Ricardo, who he had ordered stabbed. The lights going down and it is revealed that Ricardo had been wearing a protective vest. Buffy is in the hands of the police and all is well.

Show must go on

However, one has to question how Ricardo manages to be so active after being stabbed and also, after the gunshot, Run Di Track resumes so quickly.

The show must go on, yes, but a crime scene is a crime scene.

The realism of the play is enhanced with the production assistants encouraging applause and adjusting the placement of microphone stands as required. There is a DJ in the house, Cally Bud, and the set remains simple and effective, the performances taking place on the circular Run Di Track stage.

It is a 'reeemix' worth doing; the acting remains strong, the delivery of music has been improved, the script has been adjusted to good effect and, importantly, the production stays true to the original while deepening pre-existing elements for the better.

Photos by Mel Cooke