Photo by Janet Silvera
Lead actress of the play White Witch, Maylynne Walton, looking great in her costume at the play's launch at the at Rose Hall Great House two Wednesdays ago. The play opens at the Fairfield Theatre in Montego Bay, February 6, 2010.
Noel Thompson, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Dubbed an excellent piece of Caribbean folklore, the much-anticipated White Witch play will have a gala world premiere on Saturday, February 6 at the Fairfield Theatre in Montego Bay.
It will run for six to eight consecutive weekends in Montego Bay before moving to other venues across the island and, hopefully, overseas.
The play was originally written by Jane Crichton, with additional material added by David Tulloch and Cameron Anderson. Described as a musical riddled with rich historical components, artistic director Douglas Prout said it promises to be enlightening, uplifting and educational, which embraces the future of theatre in western Jamaica.
With a cast of over 20, students have also been drawn from several schools across St James to play significant roles - most of whom will be performing in front live audiences for the first time. Some of the best talents from Montego Bay in the likes of Philip Clarke, David Tulloch and Marlon Brown are part of the cast and will share the stage with lead actress Maylynne Walton of The Blackburns, Noel Kerr and Peter Abrikian.
Other members of the eclectic cast include Keiran King, Karla Josephs, Coleen Lewis and the Fairfield Youth Troupe.
The White Witch of Rose Hall is a well-known tale of fear and myth. Crichton offers a new perspective to the little-known side of the notorious Annie Palmer. The musical is filled with ancestral imagery, energetic dances and stirring performances of guile and passion.
"This speaks of the importance of a product of this type. I have no problem with conventional theatre in Jamaica being alive and well, but I think it is important for the continuity of our rich legacy and culture to be preserved. To do a story like this in Montego Bay is significant," said Prout.
White Witch is being sponsored by Rose Hall Developments Limited. Proceeds from the show will go towards projects being undertaken by the Montego Bay charitable organisation, the Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill .