Can you smell the brownies yet??

Still another 2 weeks to go!!

Going around in a circle,
A natural direction

Taking a step forward?
Or a lack of movement?

Is it simply a return
To a place visited before?

Perhaps it is new now -
Because of the journey

Last night I had the opportunity to take in a small, local comedy production, Roson and Nadya’s Fanbelt, that has just ended its run at the Little Little Theatre. Though the show had the occasional redeeming point, I was reminded why I often skip these productions.

The audience was treated to the typical compilation of comedic sketches with a few musical numbers thrown in. Unfortunately, some of the sketches rehashed very cliched scenarios such as the sinful preacher and the babbling madwoman on the street. The over-the-top acting and almost incomprehensible accents and twangs, often shouted at maximum volume, made it even more painful at times.

On the up side, some elements of the concept were particularly creative with the show being introduced by a standard movie/television rating announcement, and the rolling credits at the end. The lighting effects were well-done for the most part, with some interesting synchronisation with the music.

A few of the sketches were cleverly done such as the vampire lamenting this modern society where he is no longer feared, especially here in Jamaica. One prospective meal was reported to have told him “if yu bite mi, mi bite yu back!!” Other highpoints included the policeman who was so caught up in a “suspicious” traffic stop he failed to notice the murders, robberies and weed trafficking happening right behind him, and the handcart man who was forced to pay a toll after prolonged arguing and then whipped out a credit card.

Producers of comedy revues like Fanbelt need to make a serious effort to come up with creative and original sketch material. Overall, it wasn’t the worst show I have seen but it wasn’t the best - there was a lot of room for improvement.

The sound of silence
Fills the void inside,
A swollen emptiness
Without a song.

My heart stirs slowly
Searching for the beat;
The silence continues
Without a song.

Longing for the music
To reach my soul’s depth.
No melody. No love.
Without a song