Good 'Laaf' for Best Care

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

Christmas is around the corner and the gifts are rolling out. For the Best Care Foundation it was a trade-off.

Through its annual comedy show Com Mek Wi Laaf; Its Christmas, the Best Care Foundation exchanged laughter with support. For those who took part in the trade, there was a strong dosage of laughter. The doctors prescribing the dosages were seven comedians from home and abroad.

The Sunday crowd arrived at the Jamaica College Auditorium with high expectations. And MC Volier Johnson got the show off on time. After some background information, he called on the opening act, Maas Gussie.

From the left side of the audience, Maas Gussie arrived in dramatic fashion, only to find that the stubborn audience was in no mood for his lectures.

He did manage to eke out some laughter when he asked, "If water is for life how comes it take so many life?" Otherwise the laugher seldom came. Not even his striped pants, chequered tie, green and white shirt and brown jacket could elicit the kind of laughter it was meant to.

Still, when he made his exit he was rewarded with some consolation applause.

Nigeria-born Mr Confidence was next.

Wearing a suit, he turned the audience into a congregation.

He took a satirical look at the difference between church and house of God, being a bully and husband-and-wife relationships. Having fulfilled his role as the appetiser, he made his exit.

Only female act

On the announcement of Elva, the only female act on the programme, the audience became excited. The response was justified. Elva left few stones unturned, throwing jabs at politicians and the country's infrastructure, and applauding Jamaica's culture of loudness.

But it was her satire on women's hair that brought the most laughter.

"I am the president of LAW (Ladies Association of Wig Wearers and Extensions)" she told the attentive audience. And she continued with "If you can't grow it then sew it." At times going to the edge, she proceeded to speak of romantic relationships and other topics. She left the stage to resounding applause.

Canada-born Jay Martin generated laughter with his attack on Jamaicans like his father, for practising malapropism. But he drew the most interest when he boasted about his connection with Jamaica and, by extension, the fastest man in the world. So he tells them, "If Usain run so fast with one gunshot imagine how fast he would run when he hears two."

And part one ended with another dramatic entrance. This time it was Christopher 'Johnny' Daley. Entering from stage right dressed as a special constable, Daley explained that he was coming directly from another show. Perhaps that explained his rather risqué ending.

Daley's inspiration

Current news items were the source of Daley's inspiration. He satirised the government's handling of the agreement with the International Monetary Fund, the 60 million-dollar vehicle debacle and the flogging of children in schools.

Soon Daley would be joined by Michael Nicholson, and the two descended into low-brow comedy, leaving the prudish with open jaws.

Lemon and Michael Abrahams completed the list of jokers, both integrating songs into their acts.

Lemon, who claimed that he had just flown in from the United States, began with a seedy joke.

Informing the audience how educated he was, Lemon produced pictures of General Degree and Beenie Man, the doctor. The joke had potential but the audience did not find it amusing. He redeemed himself later with his singing as he meandered through the audience.

Abrahams, who was the curtain closer, was flawless. In his customary opening style he introduced his topics in semi-dub presentation.

And, as usual, politicians were the target of his pronouncements.

While the audience would have been happy with what they had paid for at the time the curtains came down on the eighth staging of Com Mek Wi Laaf; Its Christmas, at its new venue, the real beneficiaries will be 50 children the Best Care Foundation is putting the proceeds towards.