This year’s pantomime sees the return of Anansi, after a period of 13 years. It is fitting, as October 26, 2012 will mark the 100th birthday of Ranny Williams, who was known for his portrayals of Anansi during his years with the Pantomime. The 2011/2012 Pantomime season will pay tribute to Williams’ contribution to theatre arts.

“Anansi & Goat Head Soup” is set in the community of Jamma-Land, where Indepen-dance is coming. Under the leadership of Miss Mac, they are preparing for the celebrations – but there are distractions. Dreama, a woman who sees things, has a message – Anansi a come!

Marcus, an ambitious young farmer has big dreams for his farm, but money is tight and his Animulls – Goat, Man Cow and Pig – have been behaving badly. No menu or dance poster is safe from the Animulls, especially if there is mention of currygoat, barbecue or beef burgers.

Meanwhile, Anansi and his family are living in Farrin as a result of his being exported because of suspicion that he is a don. He’s running low on vim, vigour and vitality, and the only way to recover is by getting his favourite treat – Goat head soup. So, he decides it is time to import himself to Jamma land where that culinary item is available.

The arrival of the Anansi family turns Jamma land upside down and inside out. How will Goat and the other Animulls keep themselves off the menu? Will goat keep his head? Can Marcus get a break from his struggles? Will Jamma land see a happy Indepen-dance? And the biggest question of all, will Anansi get his goat head soup?

Anansi & Goat Head Soup is playing January to May 2012 as follows:
January 2012 – Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 4:30 p.m.
February to May 2012 – Wednesdays to Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 4:30 p.m.

Scheduled to open on December 27 at the Pantry Playhouse on Dumfries Road, the show revives the delightful chemistry between Deon Silvera and Dahlia Harris while Ghett’a Life stars Chris McFarlane and Kevoy Burton, who alternates with Akeem Mignott, collaborate for the first time on stage. Back-A-Yaad is directed by actor/writer/comedian Owen Ellis, who for two decades has been an integral feature of Jamaica’s art and entertainment landscape. Ellis, a lecturer at the Edna Manley College for over 11 years, is executive producer and principal writer for the extremely popular “Ity and Fancy Cat Show”.

The producers offer that the team reflects their efforts to ensure continued quality for their audiences. “Based on our previous productions, patrons have come to expect intriguing stories, realistic characters and lasting gratification. It is important to us that we deliver on every performance and this team guarantees that”

Written by Dahlia Harris, Back-A-Yaad puts the focus on Jamaicans in the Diaspora and the necessity of their contribution to the positive development of our country and is a great way to jump start the Jamaica 50 celebrations. Back-A-Yaad is an engaging story about Jeremiah Pound who, after five decades in England, has packed his bags and sold his belongings in the hopes of a peaceful retirement in Jamaica. He’s dreamed about the lavish home on which he has spent his life savings, but finds his once upscale community now in ruin. While Jeremiah is determined to restore glory to his environs, his colourful neighbours are set on adapting him to life on the lane. Order meets chaos, commerce faces hustling, solitary tackles communal and through it all they will either have to find a way to co-exist or one side will have to permanently let go.

While the show raises important issues Harris is quick to point out that it promises to be a fun-filled family event. “My previous plays struck an even balance of comedy and drama but for Back-A-Yaad the comedy goes up full volume. Place that in the hands of the comedic genius Owen Blakka Ellis and the laughter rolls on non-stop”.

Special benefit performances will also be scheduled to assist groups with their fundraising efforts.

“As always we want to create opportunities for groups and organizations to raise funds for various activities and projects. The show is for all audiences so schools and faith based groups don’t need to worry about whether or not the content is appropriate” said Harris.

Information on bookings for benefit performances may be obtained by calling (876) 352-6180, or by emailing theatrejamaica09@yahoo.com

Reckord was a Jamaican theatre-scene pioneer. His first play, ‘Della’, was produced at the Ward Theatre in 1953, and was again produced in England in 1958 under the title ‘Flesh to a Tiger’. Reckord was quite popular in England in the early 1960s, and in 1962, he his play ‘You in Your Small Corner’ was put on at the Royal Court Theatre. It later transferred to the West End, to New Arts Theatre, and in a few months it was reportedly taken up by Granada Television in the ‘A Play for Today’ series. Reckord’s work in the UK reportedly enabled black actors in England – including the famous singer Cleo Laine (now a dame) — to get work.