The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A DEER caught in headlights could describe my reaction to “Hibiscus Hotel” by the 20-minute mark of the show’s premiere at Jacaranda House.

The play shocked me in the best way possible, pleasantly shocked and surprised me that is. In fact, I can’t remember any other play which made me exclaim ‘wow’ so many times.

The commonly used expression (to exclaim surprise, wonder, pleasure) was more than appropriate in this case, as by the end of the near two-hour live event, the entire audience, at least those that were able to, came to their feet, offering roaring applause and demanding an encore.

For those that have yet to see Robin Belfield’s “Hibiscus Hotel” and intend to do so between now and Saturday's conclusion of the week-long world premiere, read on at your own peril; there will be spoilers:

“Hibiscus Hotel” is a story of love, family and the power of dreams. It takes a comical look at a family-run hotel on a fictional Family Island. At its heart is Eli, the owner of what once was the most glamorous hotel in the Bahamas, with his head stuck in the “good ol’ days”. He questions whether he can hold on to his business, family and himself.

Acoustic issues aside (there were no over-ear microphones for the actors, who to their credit used their own powerful vocals to sell the tale) a thumbs-up of approval must be given to the production team and cast members of this play that I rate a four of five stars.

The location, the pool-side of the large oasis property, was well-chosen because of the historical significance of Jacaranda House.

Jacaranda House was built in 1840 and is one of the few antique colonial houses still in existence in Nassau.

After 18 months of development and two weeks of rehearsals, the audience saw an interesting mix of seasoned and up-and-coming actors thrown into a fluid, well put-together play of comedic, romantic, thrilling, and eye-brow raising moments, all tied together by the clever use of Bahamian vernacular and the Queen’s English.

And there was no lack of humour; the interactions of Eli and Cora, the disgruntled but undeniably bonded couple who own the historical hotel, provided plenty of laughs.

Eli, a good-at-heart, boisterous “grouch”, is played by Craig Pinder.

Pinder, who attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, has had a long and varied career in theatre in the UK, being an original cast member of “Les Mis�rables”, the longest-running musical in the world where he appeared as Jean Valjean in 1987.

Cora is played by Claudette Allens, a 40-year veteran of the performing arts community here in the Bahamas.

Though “Cookie”, as she is also known, is most renowned for her performance in “You Can Lead A Horse to Water”, she can be heard on the airwaves on most days in a number of commercials.

However, the real highlight of the play for me was the character of Mia, the biracial daughter of the hotel proprietor and Edward, a British gentleman on business in paradise.

Mia is portrayed by Dana J Ferguson, a graduate of the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts and the Bristol Old Vic, who recently appeared as the lead actress in Kareem Mortimer’s award-winning short film “Passage”.

Edward is played by Duncan Casey, who pursued a career in films, TV and theatre in the UK and has recently appeared in several high-profile international and British commercials.

He was also recently awarded “Best Actor” for his leading role in “Kenneth” at the Edinburgh Bootleg Film Festival.

When the four are brought together to tell the story of “Hibiscus Hotel”, subplots concerning race, the price of opportunity, hardships, choices and perseverance can be discovered.

And it is in these side stories for which I adopt the words of Deputy Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis: “Every Bahamian, from every corner of our society can identify with a line, or some lines within this whole play and that was what was so amazing about the whole story.”

To the Yellowtale Theatre Company I say, just ‘wow’!