The Year for the people of African descent continues to generate great works of cultural significance. The city of Toronto is intimately familiar with art in general and with theatre in particular. The love affair reaches new heights, as Theatre Archipelago in association with “b current”, beautifully interprets the story of Marcus Garvey the man, as written by Edgar Nkosi White in, ‘I Marcus Garvey’. Under the experienced collective eye of director Rhoma Spencer and producer ahdri zhina mandiela the performance promises unsurpassed quality from the first notes on stage.
The true purpose of theatre is to entertain, provoke and educate – This play delivers!
‘I Marcus Garvey’ spans Garvey’s 1912 arrival in London, through his years in The United States, Jamaica and Canada before returning full circle to London in 1938. This powerful story is told through music, multimedia and six actors portraying sixteen characters. The sparse stage is decorated with stark white sails (representing Garvey’s Black Star Line) that also serve as the backdrop for various images throughout the play.
It is evident, that the entire crew was passionate about this production. The music, the lighting, the sound effects, the multimedia created scenes, the seamless transition from one scene to the next, produced an effortless quality that transformed the stage time and time again across 25 years and 5 countries.
The story is beautifully written. The playwright captures not merely the political Marcus Garvey that wanted to free a people from mental slavery; he captures the spirit of a personal Garvey. We see struggles, we see hard decisions made, we see tears and we see laughter. An entire emotional gamut permeates all three acts of this wonderful work of pure art. If you are shy about laughing out loud or being close to tears, even perhaps weeping in public, do not go to see this play.
The cast delivered excellent performances each in their own right. It is a testament to their personal professionalism and the vision of the play’s director.
Richard Stewart plays Marcus Garvey:
Act 1 Scene 1 shows Garvey arriving in London and shivering from the English weather. In the second row, I trembled when I saw him. Richard Stewart brings Marcus Garvey to life. Mr. Stewart’s oratory deliveries are flawless. The prose and poetry of Garvey becomes his own. When he speaks, you listen – You listen as if it were Garvey himself.
Quancetia Hamilton plays Indiana (Garvey’s sister) and Auntie (to Garvey’s second wife):
Ms. Hamilton is a powerful actress who throws herself into her craft. When Indiana talks about what she wants for herself, you feel her longing; when she laughs, her elation reverberates inside you. When Indiana tells her brother he can no longer live with her, you see the tears in Quancetia’s eyes.
Beryl Bain plays Amy Jacques – Garvey (Garvey’s second wife):
We first see Amy Jacques (before she is married) in Jamaica with her auntie. When she sees Garvey, her eyes light up. Ms. Bain passes that light on to us throughout her performance. Beryl Bain becomes the embodiment of a strong, loving, Amy Jacques Garvey.
Muoi Nene plays Wallace and West Indian Archie:
Wallace, the drunken British man of Indiana, first elicits laughter, then pity. Muoi Nene is spot on! West Indian Archie is eager for something new in Harlem, and finds it in Garvey. It is the commanding monologue from an Antiguan anticipating Garvey’s arrival on the island that puts Mr. Nene over the top.
Azeem Nathoo plays Hamil (A London shopkeeper) and Minister of Information (for Jamaica):
Mr. Nathoo is more than convincing in both his roles. In London, I almost expect Hamil to bring out a package of salt-fish. In Jamaica, the Minister of Information is instantly viewed with suspicion. Azeem Nathoo is admirable in interpreting these two characters.
Jack Grinhaus plays Jenkins, Attorney, Prison Warden, and FBI Agent:
The importance of these characters to the plot is invaluable. The ease with which Mr. Grinhaus transformed from one to the next was extraordinary. His linguistic mastery and professionalism was elegantly evident.
These talented players seized my attention and did not let go until the end of their long standing ovation. Their passion spilled over into our seats and we fed lovingly. This is a play well worth seeing.
You will laugh, you may weep, you will be provoked, you will learn.
‘I Marcus Garvey’ plays at the Papermill Theatre until March 27th, 2011.
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