Four inducted into newly created Roots Theatre Hall of Fame

The Everton Dawkins-led Jamaica Roots Theatre Foundation held its second annual Roots Theatre Awards on Saturday in Ocho Rios, inducting four stalwarts into the newly created Roots Theatre Hall of Fame.

Garfield ‘Bad Boy Trevor’ Reid, Daphne ‘Mae’ Grandison, Arnelia ‘Ann McKenzie’ Henlon, and the late Clive Duncan were the Jamaica Roots Theatre Foundation’s first four inductees in the Hall of Fame.

Duncan died July 16, 2020 at age 57 after a stellar career in acting. He first came to prominence in the role of Drapus Upton (Mr Upton, or Maas Drapus) on the then-Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation television drama Lime Tree Lane that aired from 1988 to 1997. He later starred in another television series, Royal Palm Estate, on CVM TV and acted in several plays, including Paul Beale’s Joint Tenants.

Several of Duncan’s relatives from overseas, who returned to Jamaica just for the awards ceremony, collected the plaque honouring the Jamaican theatre legend.

There was a moment of silence for several industry players who have passed on, including Ralph Holness, Paul Beale, Ginger Knight, Volier Johnson, among others.

“These are the forerunners in roots theatre who planted the tree, watered it, and today we are reaping the fruits,” said Juliet ‘Dell’ Shank, who led that part of the programme.

There were several other awardees. Everton Dawkins was surprised with an Award of Excellence, while Lifetime Awards were presented to Kenny Salmon, Georgette Wright, Deon Silvera, Balfour Anderson, and Richard Mullings. There were special awards to playwright Michael Denton, actor Lascelle Parnell, light and sound technician Clement Pryce, and a humanitarian award to Leson Williams. Ex-Baby Motha, Single Parents, and Man Problem were voted the Top Roots Plays for 2022-2023, while Luke Ellington’s 1990 hit comedy, Bun Fi Bun, was given a special Roots Play Award.

The Anglican Church Hall, where the event was held, was transformed into a glitzy venue for the occasion where scores of theatre practitioners and lovers of the art form converged for an even more elaborate affair than the inaugural staging last year.

“We represent the culture,” Dawkins stated in obvious reference to the ongoing debate between roots theatre practitioners and other players. He promised that the awards would remain in rural Jamaica and continue honouring those in the industry who are deserving of awards.

Guest speaker Kenny Salmon, head of the School of Performing Arts at Excelsior Community College, who picked up his Lifetime Award before his speech, said that despite having gotten numerous awards over the years, “this award means more to me than any other”. In endorsing the idea of the Roots Theatre Awards, Salmon urged the organisers to continue with the event, noting that Jamaican icon Louise ‘Miss Lou’ Bennett-Coverley was a roots player.

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