'Tenky, Maas Ran' - 70th Pantomime honours Jamaican theatre legend

Sadeke Brooks,  Staff Reporter

In its 70th year, the upcoming Little Theatre Movement's National Pantomime, Anansi and Goat Head Soup, will be paying homage to theatre legend Ranny Williams.

Williams, along with the late Hon Louise Bennett-Coverley, played an integral role in the 'Jamaicanisation' of the National Pantomime that got its start in 1941.

Having played several 'Anansi' roles, writer and leader of the production team Barbara Gloudon said a decision was made to honour him.

"This year's Pantomime, Anansi and Goat Head Soup, is inspired by the fact that we haven't done an Anansi story in a while. Anansi has been an integral part of the Jamaica Pantomime for many years but has been overlooked for a while. As next year marks the centenary of the birth of Ranny Williams, one of the Pantomime's great builders (born October 26, 1912), and as he played many Anansi roles, we thought we would honour his memory by bringing back Anansi," she told The Sunday Gleaner.

The production, which is directed by Bobby Clarke, has 24 cast members who will bring Gloudon's vision to life. Leading roles are played by Ray Jarrett, Faith Bucknor, Doreen King, Cadine Hall and Kevin Halstead. Students from the Excelsior Community College and Edna Manley College will make up the cast. The music will be done by Grub Cooper and the band will be led by Calvin 'Bubbles' Cameron.

Gloudon added that work on the production began in September and will continue until it premieres at Little Theatre, St Andrew, on December 26.

Without much of a budget or even sponsorship, Gloudon said the production team forced to recycle materials.

"The budget is flexible. We do not have sponsorship. We do a lot of recycling in the materials we use to build and construct what we need. Our designers have great imagination; like Anya Gloudon, who does costumes, and Symmone Coombs, who makes the most amazing props. But there also has to be expenditure for new material. We save up from one production to the next to pay the way. It is not easy," she said.

Despite limited funds, Gloudon said every Pantomime has "its own distinctive flavour" and is built so it can be enjoyed by adults and children.

"There are always new elements in the Pantomime as we seek to challenge ourselves each season and find new ways of utilising our performers and the space we perform in. We can't give away some of the secrets yet," she told The Sunday Gleaner.

"We use both traditional theatrical methods and modern technology in telling our stories. Pantomime is a Jamaican special. It is not the same every year, as some people think. There are many topical situations and references. The way to find out is to come and see it."

Although excited about the Anansi and Goat Head Soup premiere on December 26 at 6 p.m., Gloudon said she has concerns about how the upcoming general election might impact the production, as there is still a possibility that it might be called around that time.

"We're as anxious as anyone about the date of the election. We open on December 26 at 6 p.m., and repeat on December 27 also at 6 p.m., then go on to play New Year's Day and other dates after. People come to the Pantomime not only from the Corporate Area, but from other parishes. We're keeping an eye on that and hope they will be able to travel freely. We expect our usual school and community groups who come to Pantomime every year," she said.