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PRE-THEATRE LIME

Showing their diversity, after the Wild Meat Thursday lime, Babash decided to host a Trini theatre night. The idea was that they would encourage some people to share in other parts of our culture, while having a good time. So they bought out the play "Meetings" for a night and added some special Babash spice to it with local cutters (finger food) before the show. The food actually fitted into the theme of the show as you'd see. The theatre capacity was very limited (only about 60), but it was fully taken up and everyone was generally looking forward to the show.

The menu sounded impressive – stew chicken and dumpling, pholourie and tamarind sauce, shark and bake and coo-coo or something so. But unfortunately it was just pre-theatre nibbles so everything was in a mini form - on toothpicks etc... delicious, but ... still hungry.

Being a Thursday, most people would have come from after work and they enjoyed taking in the little lime before the play which was scheduled to start at 8:15pm. The play itself was good too- see below, and during the intermission Babash served some sorrel as refreshments - nice touch, albeit not strong enough for my taste.

We commend Babash on their initiative and although small it was a cool evening. We look forward to seeing what other special events they have up their sleeve.

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THE PLAY - MEETINGS

Arcola Theatre was the place – in Islington, London for the event. It is a small theatre, very intricate I must say with a cute stage, set up as a 1980's kitchen – (probably all done by Ikea who was a sponsor- nice). Seating was wrapped around 3 sides of the kitchen and only 2 rows deep... very intimate.

I'm not sure how many Trini or Caribbean plays actually run in London, but it was good to see that there are some like this one, written and performed with Trinis. The Trinbagonian playwright, Mustapha Matura is known for his work in the industry with the likes of "Playboy of the West Indies" and "Play Mas".

The unique small cast of three intellectuals here in London, are Inika Leigh Wright - a gorgeous and sexy-body woman in the acting business who most recently got superb reviews for her spectacular role in "The President of an Empty Room", but has appeared in many other productions over the last 10 years or so with some success. Next up we have the tall and graceful rasta man, Nicholai La Barrie, a proud member of the rapso movement in Trinidad & Tobago and here in the UK (see Caribbean Unplugged 31-03-07), but also in London works as Head of Youth Arts with The Oval House Theatre. The smooth and enchanting Davinia Anderson, another unique being who plays an integral role in the play and have been in other plays such as "Generations at The Old Vic". The director, Dan Barnard, brings his skills and expertise to the play and integrates the actors with each other to produce a compelling offering.

The play is set in the 1980s around the time of the Oil Boom in Trinidad and Tobago where a happily married couple Hugh (La Barrie) and Jean (Wright) are appearing to be enjoying their lifestyle and the perks of being top-shotters in the working world. Things take a turn however, when one fine day Hugh eats some food from an ole woman vendor which made him crave the food he used to eat long time. Hugh says, "I want somebody who could cook Red fish in butter with yellow gravy in onion, an mash de yam in butter wit a fork, an I could see de rows where de fork went, and a want to eat de fish eye last, dat give yer de brains, and some green fig as well, dat give you de iron! Dat is what my mother used to say." Jean however is happy eating out and too busy with meetings to make all ah dat. So they find a cook, a simple girl from "de country" called Elsa (Anderson) who satisfies his yearning.... and leh me tell yuh, she was bringing out real food yes! And Hugh devoured everyting she bring with moans of delight followed by almost orgasmic exclamations of "Good.... Gooood!!"

Trini's would have definitely appreciated the humour throughout the play, not only the obvious comedy lines, but also just the stereotypical traits and classic lines that only ah Trini can give "look she dey... ask sheeee!!!". Inika was especially good at this during her telephone conversation scenes with talk like "Brenda gyirrl... and yes chile!" The story though had it's serious moments and the more dramatic scenes were deeply felt as we were so up close and personal; like we were intruding their home and maco-ing from the other room. Nicholai also gave a decent performance making us feel his pain and confusion during his transition while trying to find himself. Davinia too played her part to perfection as the sweet and naïve live-in maid. But it was Inika who seemed to have stood out for me due to her stage presence and powerful performance. All-round, a truly enjoyable play with direction that I'm sure Mustapha Matura would be happy with.

Kudos to all.

Amiel for the TJJ UK fam
Always Forward Never Backward !!!!