The Bahamas has a new playwright who has entered the theatre world with a real bang.\u00a0 Ward Minnis, a painter who brought us a very intriguing art show called \u201cFamous Faces of Nassau\u201d in 2004 at the Central Bank, is now putting his literary gifts on display in a political satire called \u201cThe Cabinet.\u201d\u00a0 Just in time for the 2012 election season, the comedy premiered on April Fool\u2019s Day at the Dundas Centre for Arts and immediately created a buzz.\u00a0 By the show\u2019s final night folks were being turned away at the door.<\/p>\n
The play tells the story of Reggie Moxey (played ably by Chigoze Ijeoma), the leader of the Flamingo Party (FLM) and Prime Minister of the Archipelago Islands.\u00a0 When the play opens Moxey is mourning the passing of the Archipelago Islands\u2019 founding father, Lymon Leadah, former head of the Peas and Rice Party (PNR).<\/p>\n
Leadah was Moxey\u2019s mentor and really a father to him, in terms of teaching him the ropes of party politics.\u00a0 But eventually the two fell out and became rivals; rivals who still had a grudging respect for each other.\u00a0 Now Moxey approaches the end of his second term as PM and has to decide whether or not he will keep his campaign promise and step down after serving two terms.\u00a0 This decision is at the heart of the play.\u00a0 Moxey wants to prove he is a better leader and a better man than his mentor, Lymon, he stayed in power for 6 consecutive terms and was labeled a \u201ctyrant.\u201d\u00a0 Moxey hatches a devious scheme that will allow him \u201cto keep his word and break it at the same time.\u201d\u00a0 The scheme involves handing power over to his new PNR rival and old friend, Jerome Cartwright (played by the author, Ward Minnis).<\/p>\n
The parallels between Minnis\u2019 imaginary world of the Archipelago Islands and real archipelago of The Bahamas are very clear.\u00a0 Minnis\u2019 play, according to the director, Dr. Ian Strachan, \u201ctakes a popular conspiracy theory and runs with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The play follows Moxey as he tries to execute his plan of handing power to his old friend.\u00a0 The plan involves making sure that his successor as leader of the Flamingo\u2019s is a push over; not just because he wants Jerome to win but because Reggie wants to be able to return to power himself if he is minded to.\u00a0 Enter Kendrick Johnson, played to hilarious effect by Matthew Wildgoose, who like Minnis, is a talented visual artist as well.\u00a0 Problem is Kendrick is even too incompetent for Reggie\u2019s liking.\u00a0 Complicating things further are Fenton Green (Arthur Maycock), the legitimate choice to succeed Reggie and the ambitious and conniving MP Latoya Darling (played by Sophia Smith).<\/p>\n
When asked if he was afraid his play would make him some powerful enemies, Minnis responded \u201cWell, it is what it is. This is the whole point of democracy.\u00a0 Calling a spade a spade is always a dangerous proposition but if you can\u2019t call a spade a spade then something\u2019s wrong with the society.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWard writes a very clever farce\/satire.\u00a0 It\u2019s hilarious.\u00a0 I knew the minute I read it that it would be a hit,\u201d said Dr. Strachan.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m very proud of him.\u00a0 He\u2019s a good writer; and he\u2019s s only just scratching the surface of his ability.\u00a0 He has a lot to say and I believe the Bahamian people will enjoy every word.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked what the message of the play was, Strachan had this to say: \u201cWe want to entertain people but we also want to challenge them to question the ways things are politically.\u00a0 We have to expect and demand more, plain and simple.\u00a0 As long we sit back and just trust our leaders to do the right thing, they will do the thinking for you.\u00a0 But they won\u2019t necessarily put you first.\u00a0 Too often democracy gets high jacked.\u00a0 Not just in The Bahamas.\u00a0 The only antidote is a vigilant, engaged citizenry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Cabinet\u201d is back by popular demand for three shows at the National Centre for the Performing Arts on Shirley Street, Friday April 29 at 8pm, Saturday April 30 at 8pm, and Sunday May 1 at 6pm.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tickets are on sale at Buttons Formal Wear, Cable Beach, Galleria Cinemas, Mall at Marathon,\u00a0 and at the Dundas Centre Box Office.\u00a0 Folks can call 433-1028 or 394-0028 or visit cabinetplay.com or facebook.com\/cabinetplay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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