The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

AS the laughter continues to live on in his shows, the cast and crew of James Catalyn and Friends are excited to stage their first production of the year, “A Weddin’ Tale.

Long time members of James Catalyn and Friends, Chigozie Ijeoma and Dwain Wallace are directing this comic stage play, taking a satirical peep at weddings, Bahamian style.

The performance takes place at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, June 27 to 29, and July 5 and 6, 2013 at 8 pm.

Theatre-goers and patrons of James Catalyn and Friends have been eagerly awaiting this delightfully entertaining theatrical experience.

They promise ‘you don’t have to do a thing other than be ready to sit up, wake up and laugh at wesef.’

Omar Williams, President of James Catalyn and Friends Productions, said: “The Weddin’ Tale is a humorous look at Bahamian weddings based on yesteryear, so it is actually about weddings of the past.

“We had a whole slew of plays and scripts that James has on different subject matters, and we just wanted to keep something light hearted, funny and something very reflective of Bahamians. That is why we chose this one. It was just the most fun of all the scripts that we had at the time. We had scripts about everything from weddings to funerals,” said Mr Williams.

He said the production team thought the play was appropriate during this time, seeing that the Bahamas’ 40th Independence is approaching.

“Like we always say, these plays are a look at Bahamians from a Bahamian’s perspective. All of the writing, acting and directing is done by Bahamians. So when you come to the show, you will feel a sense of self. It is a look at us in a humorous light. This one in particular looks at where we have come from because it is set in the past in many regards,” said Mr Williams.

For Mr Williams, it feels good to see the stage experienced actors involved in the play.

This year the play is directed by Gippy’s Kingdom’s Chigozie Ijeoma, and also Dwain Wallace. They have been with the group for at least fifteen years.

Williams said: “From James doing the writing for more than 30 years of James Catalyn and Friends to people like Chigozie and Dwain who bring a lot of talent and the young new Bahamian talent, it is amazing.”

A Weddin’ Tale is a full length production so people can expect to be entertained for about two hours. It is going to be bright, colourful and Bahamian; something fun but at the same time, tells a story.

“We have been in production for at least two months now and it has been a learning experience more than anything else. The actors have been committed, the script is fantastic and the directors are experienced,” said Mr Williams.

Veteran cast members for this production include Neil Cleare, Antoinette Knowles, Lemorn Miller, Sophia Smith, Brentwood Thompson Jr, Trevann Thompson , Leslie Tynes and newcomers to the James Catalyn and Friends’ stage – Christina Adderley, Dion Farquharson, Inderia Green, and Tara Woodside.

The box office opens at the Dundas, Mackey Street, today, from 10am – 4pm daily. Telephone 393-1042 or 394-7179 for details.

The ‘Weddin’ Tale’ is not the end for James Catalyn and Friends 2013.

The production team is also in preparation for their well known ‘Summer Madness’ show this September.  

“The show is different from the June production because of the sketches. This one here is a full length play and Summer Madness has lots and lots of sketches, kind of put together. The sketches are based on the reflection of the year before. There are things like politics and everything that has been going on in the country,” said Mr Williams.