Sat | Apr 27, 2024

Officially formed Pantomine Company presents ‘Trash And Hype’

Published:Sunday | April 2, 2023 | 9:41 AMAaliyah Cunningham - Sunday Gleaner Writer
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Cast members in rehearsal for the 2021/2022 pantomime, ‘Rebel K’, which was a virtual only production.
Contributed
Cast members in rehearsal for the 2021/2022 pantomime, ‘Rebel K’, which was a virtual only production.
REHEARSAL SCENE: Cheryl Ryman and Charles Hyatt in rehearsal for the LTM National Pantomime production of Gloria Lannaman’s ‘Brashana O!’ Other cast members (from left) are Sonya Francis, Vernon Darby, Donovan Prendergast, and Turnell McCormack.
Gleaner Photo
REHEARSAL SCENE: Cheryl Ryman and Charles Hyatt in rehearsal for the LTM National Pantomime production of Gloria Lannaman’s ‘Brashana O!’ Other cast members (from left) are Sonya Francis, Vernon Darby, Donovan Prendergast, and Turnell McCormack.
This 1941 event was the first pantomime to be staged in Jamaica by the Little Theatre Movement (LTM). It was written by Vere Bell Bruton and the proceeds from the performances were slated to be divided equally between the War Funds and the LTM. The 34-page
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This 1941 event was the first pantomime to be staged in Jamaica by the Little Theatre Movement (LTM). It was written by Vere Bell Bruton and the proceeds from the performances were slated to be divided equally between the War Funds and the LTM. The 34-page programme is replete with advertisements as well as references to specific aspects of the performance.
Barbara Gloudon (left) and daughter Anya enjoying the pantomime workshop at the Little Little Theatre on Wednesday, September 10, 2008.
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Barbara Gloudon (left) and daughter Anya enjoying the pantomime workshop at the Little Little Theatre on Wednesday, September 10, 2008.
The media was treated to a sneak preview of the 2004 pantomime, ‘Iffa Nuh So’ at the Little Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Drive.
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The media was treated to a sneak preview of the 2004 pantomime, ‘Iffa Nuh So’ at the Little Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Drive.
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The Pantomime Company is now officially its own independent theatre production company after a process that began late in 2022 and ran into 2023. The move was to ensure that the pantomime remains in its most authentic form ahead of reorganisations of the Little Theatre Movement (LTM) that are to come.

Speaking with The Sunday Gleaner, production coordinator and director, Anya Gloudon, explained that this was the best move for the theatre collective as they continue to press along despite challenges and hardships that arise as they put in the work.

“All along, the pantomime was put on by the Little Theatre Movement, so it was the Little Theatre that handled all the business, but, there was a core group of persons, the company, the performers and so on, that was founded by Barbara Gloudon and Brian Heap with the assistance of Rex Nettleford. It functioned as a performing core group. So, each year we would train these persons and go to workshops and they would be the ones you see onstage,” she explained.

The National Pantomime dates back to 1941. Over the years it has seen a plethora of productions and changing face. The group grew to include not only actors, but several other individuals involved in theatre production. Now, with an expanding cohort, Gloudon believes they are strong enough to function on its own.

“We then began to broaden it where we had stage hands and band members who always worked with us, a creative team who always worked with us, so in effect, we were like a little unit running along. Then with some changes that are coming for the Little Theatre Movement and how we continue since the death of Mrs Gloudon, it made sense for us to say our interest was to make sure that the pantomime form stays alive. And what better way to do it than for us to put our feet down and say we can manage this? We, of course, do what we do with the love and blessing of the other members of the LTM,” she said further.

The newly formed company is in production mode with its newest show running from April 1 to the middle of May. Dubbed Trash and Hype, this particular pantomime is based on the work of Barbara Gloudon’s 1983 production, Trash.

“Leonie Forbes was in it, Volier Johnson was in it ... and so that kind of spoke to that looking at the past and where we are coming from and reshaping it for today, and for our new members, our new cast and our new team going forward. And so we birthed Trash and Hype,” Gloudon revealed.

LONG TIME COMING

The company also worked with director Brian Johnson who is fairly new to the team. Though the pantomime is usually expected on Boxing Day, with all the challenges they have faced since the pandemic, this production has been a long time coming.

“COVID was a challenge because we did not have anything in store. The run was cut short and our normal chance of gaining back our investment was lost. In COVID we did some things online, we did a review first and then we did a video production ... Rebel K. We did that in 2021 and we made it to stage for May of 2022. After all that excitement we started brainstorming how we can do this again. We still had some challenges of course, because that was a very abbreviated run. So we said let’s see how best we mark the coming Boxing Day which was December 2022. We also looked at the fact that we had lost a number of our stalwarts, Barbara Gloudon mainly, Leonie Forbes, Volier Johnson. So we did a virtual tribute on Boxing Day just to mark the 26th and just to say thank you for the contributions that you have given to us and we go wheel and come again and make sure that the legacy that you have given us continues,” Gloudon explained.

This production is by no means without its challenges, but for Gloudon, they are attacking them head on and enjoying the journey.

“One of the things that we have found is, being away from the stage for so long, you forget some of the things you would normally do as a performer. There is your stage voice versus your normal deh a yard voice. There is also just getting back into the swing of things,” she shared.

But the support that they have been receiving so far has given them the fuel they need to keep pushing forward.

“The support so far has been overwhelming. Even though we had planned to just run to May 7, schools have been calling and saying ‘No man, you can’t do me dat’. So we have added another weekend. They have been clamouring because they want a chance to do something nice. They know they are going to get good messages that teachers use when they get back to class,” said Gloudon.

“I am looking forward to just hearing the children laugh. It is the sweetest thing to hear them laugh and just enjoy themselves. I was saying to somebody yesterday that it has just been so hard and every day you hear about this problem and that problem. Just to have a chance for people to just have a chance to relax and just have a nice moment. We looking forward to that and of course, we don’t mind if we make a money too.”

aaliyah.cunningham@gleanerjm.com