I attended Basil Dawkins’ “A State Of Affairs” at the Little Little Theatre last night, and was quite disappointed by the production which unfolded. I had heard the name Basil Dawkins being associated with Jamaican plays for at least the past two decades, but this was my very first time seeing one of his productions.
A State of Affairs centres on the life of a couple, both of whom are in their second marriage. The husband has cheated on his wife, and is now in the proverbial ‘dog house’. He is deeply concerned about his increasing and compulsive urges to cheat on his wife, so, in an attempt to save his marriage and protect his wife from inevitable pain, he seeks counselling from the church.
I found A State of Affairs’ storyline and dialogue to be quite weak and unbelievable. Jerry Benzwick, who plays the husband, did not do a good job, as his acting seemed too unnatural and staged; just about all his punch lines and jokes flopped.
Sakina Deer plays the role of Benzwick’s wife in A State of Affairs. I had seen her in 2009 in Patrick Brown’s “Diana”, and was quite impressed by her deaf-mute role in that play. Knowing what she is capable of, given this previous role, I was utterly disappointed at her performance in A State of Affairs, as she failed to sparkle.
When veteran actress, Ruth HoShing, was finally introduced to the proceedings, she literally saved the day and woke up the patrons. She injected life and humor into an otherwise weak production, and did an excellent job in her roll as a ‘Senior Counsellor’.
Despite this however, I still did not feel as though I got value for my time and money, and would not recommend this play to anyone. If I were to rate it, I would give it 3 out of 10.
Reviewed by S.P.
7. January 2011 at 2:54 am
I agree with your comment that the play was quite weak in substance. The acting by the husband was indeed unnatural, and this twitching was sheer stupidity. I would however give it 5 out of 10, if only for the outfits that the wife was dressed in. I cannot say that I would tell anyone to take time out to see it.
2. February 2011 at 3:52 pm
Verry Entertaining play.
8. February 2011 at 1:51 pm
The story line was weak, the “twitching” was corny and I would give it 5 out of 10 also.
11. February 2011 at 3:57 pm
Saw it last night as a benefit performance. Liked Richelle’s performance as I liked the quirkiness of her character and agree that veteran Ruth was her talented, professional, natural best. Agree too that the husband was way too corny and basically the storyline died from the 2nd set change. Was trying to figure out at the end if I should consider it a comedy or just laughable. I would have just contributed to the benefit actually.
24. February 2011 at 5:41 am
Well, S.P….are you really called “S.P.”, or do you just not have the guts to put your name to your, errrr….”review”, haha…and Radcliffe P…..I don’t think we’re talking about the same play here…. Brilliantly written, about various current issues…although the references WERE quite subtle, so I suppose we SHOULD excuse you, S.P & R.P. – for obvious reasons…. So many twists and innuendos….I would challenge any one (intelligent) person NOT to be able to relate, at some level, to any ONE of these characters….and NOT to laugh…for almost the ENTIRE performance! Extremely funny!! For S.P. & R.P., the definition of entertainment is; amusement, distraction, diversion……this play epitomises “Entertainment”. As for the cast….well, in thirty-something years of being involved in, and watching, numerous plays around the globe….I honestly can’t think of a better-cast play! Well done Jamaica – this play should be on the world stage!!
21. March 2011 at 4:03 pm
Worst comedy I have seen for a long time in Ja. Material for actors to work with was not there..hence the poor performances. Sakina saved it for me as i finally resorted to eye candy and lost interest when she was not on stage.
Guess every playwright has to have a play which reputation sells. This is Basil’s.