‘Winter Wonderland’ with Nigerian pickney comediennes

It was a ‘Winter Wonderland’ on Wednesday as Jamaican ‘pickneys’ mingled with two of their Internet-famous Nigerian counterparts at an “undisclosed” area in The Mall, Constant Spring Road, St Andrew. The occasion was the third staging of Pickney Christmas, Paint & Sip: organised by the 14-month-old Pickney Pampering Salon and Barbershop.

With Jamaica being the first stop on their world tour, comediennes Emmanuella Samuel and Success Maddubike let their hair down and had some fun as only children know how to do. They painted (snowmen), sipped (on snow cones), and snapped photos with the other children against a backdrop of lighting and special effects that reflected the snowy theme.

According to Danielia McLean, who serves double duty as owner at Pickney Pampering and marketing director of Tango Entertainment Production Limited, Emmanuella and Success are scheduled to perform at four shows in St Elizabeth and St James as part of the latter company’s Laugh Out Loud series.

“It is not often that you have events for children,” she said. So they decided to have a “child-absolutely” event, with the young Nigerians having fun, too.

McLean was pleased with the large turnout. Unfortunately, they had to “turn back children as the space was full”, despite having made plans for more children than expected.

Empress, who has a four-year-old daughter, was one of the fortunate parents. The Ocho Rios resident said that it was a good event and that she was surprised at how well-received it was.

“I never knew so many parents and children would come out. The only setback was that the space was so hot – for winter,” she said.

Popularly known as Emmanuella and ‘Aunty’ Success, the two girls took time from their fun to speak with The Gleaner about Jamaica, their favourite comedic piece, and more.

Emmanuella began her comedic journey when she was four, and her first performance was at a government school in Nigeria. Her uncle (Mark Angel) and other people are the sources of he success stories.

“We do not perform from a script. When someone comes up with an idea, we add to it,” the nine-year-old said. Her favourite story is ‘Police Officer’, while six-year-old Success said that the story that she likes to tell is ‘Scholarship Exam’ because in that story, she is arguing with an uncle.

‘Uncle’ is a recurring character in their stories, and the young comediennes were unanimous in sharing the reason: “Because they look for trouble, so we give them back.”

Emmanuella said that she likes Jamaica because the people “are so kind, loving, and caring”. And her message for Jamaican children is, “Aalways obey your parents, follow your dreams, and study hard.”

“Read your books and respect your parents,” was Success’ message.