Jamaican Plays

Multi-award winning playwright Basil Dawkins’ moving and hilarious stage play FEMININE JUSTICE, directed by Canute Lawrence, is returning to the Toronto stage for two performances this Father’s Day Weekend – June 19 & 20. Produced by Marcia Brown Productions, FEMININE JUSTICE is touted as one of the best Jamaican plays to hit the Canadian stage. The story is multi-layered, going to the heart of what in some circles have become commonplace, but in others remain, a taboo. FEMININE JUSTICE brings to light the misconceptions that certain domestic situations are ailments of the so-called lower class, under-privileged, uneducated or, associated only with single (common-law) relationships.

Brown has put together an excellent ensemble cast to fully execute the story of FEMININE JUSTICE. The cast includes Brown herself, who has been busy as a bee in Toronto’s Caribbean theatre scene since she arrived from Jamaica in 1989. It would be fair to say that Brown has certainly made a household name for herself in the community from the consistent and tireless work she has put in ranging from her comedic stints at local community and church events to the memorable and electrifying stage plays such as “Country Duppy”, “Children Children”, “Wipe That Smile”, “Single Entry”, “Rosetta” and “Common-Law”.

The FEMININE JUSTICE cast is rounded off by comic actor and man about the stages, Naggo Morris (who it seems is a resident actor in plays produced Marcia Brown Productions), Letna Allen-Rowe and newcomer to the Toronto stage, Clive Forrester.

Commandeered by her mother into marrying Wilton Chambers (Clive Forrester), a psychologist with power, wealth, status and fame, Vilma (Marcia Brown) thought it might be the best thing that could have happened to her. Wilton however turned out to be an abusive husband, and she is manipulated by both to keep this “little matter” under-cover … after-all, Wilton is a psychologist who is well recognized by his peers as an astute professional in the medical fraternity, he is respected by the Bishop in his church as a honourable man and faithful in his giving, so his reputation would be damaged if this came to light, not to mention his bruised ego.

Fate however would not have this going on forever, so after sustaining a serious life-threatening motor vehicle accident, he is confronted with the consequences of his actions by divine order. What does he do when he discovers his destiny, lies in the hands of a woman!!!

His wife on the other hand, must come to terms and accept responsibilities for her own limitations. Will she lower her pride and receive fact-facing truths from a simple, uneducated and seemingly underprivileged gardener (Naggo Morris)!

Dawkins’ characters are profoundly and intensely layered in ways that are engaging and compelling, and under Canute Lawrence’s outstanding direction, the members of this peerless ensemble have worked to ensure that the portrayal of their characters will leave audience members with unwavering conviction.

FEMININE JUSTICE is thought provoking and evokes much emotion. The subject matter is not for laughs – but with the witty lines penned by Dawkins, it certainly has it’s ample share of belly-full-of laughs through the play.

FEMININE JUSTICE received awards for Best Drama, Best New Jamaican Play and the most coveted, Best Production, from the International Theatre Institute (Jamaica Chapter) in 1999.

Below are the performance dates:

Brampton
Saturday June 19 @ 8PM
Chinguacousy Secondary School
1370 Williams Parkway East

North York
Father’s Day – Sunday June 20 @ 6PM
Jamaican Canadian Centre
995 Arrow Road