Directed by Paul Issa, Tartuffe is a five-act comedy where Molière relates the story of an attempt, by an irreclaimable hypocrite, to destroy the domestic happiness of a citizen who, charmed by his seeming piety, has received him as a prominent guest. In painting such a portrait, this lively assailant of Parisian foibles was in a new element, though one that proved to him perfectly congenial. His genius had a serious side, and on that side he was unquestionably at his best, the character of Tartuffe being drawn with a strength and precision which few dramatists have equalled.

Tartuffe stars Alwyn Scott, Munair Zacca, Paul Issa, Teisha Duncan, Marsha-Ann Hay and Clive Duncan. For more information, please call 927-1047 or 419-6725.

The Love List Review

Title: The Love List
Starring: Munair Zacca, Clive Duncan and Nadia Khan
Written by: Norm Foster
Directed by: Pablo Hoilett
Reviewed by: Mary Hanna

“Sexy! Ambitious! Trust Me! Sense of humour! Well versed!” The list goes on for ten points that make the perfect woman of Bill (Clive Duncan) as he wrestles with his best friend Leon (Munair Zacca) to construct her personality to specifications. The friends are caught up in an uproarious comedy when the love list takes on flesh and blood with the arrival of Justine (Nadia Khan). All the action is within Bill’s apartment and the door becomes a gateway to reality and unreality as the perfect woman appears and disappears through it. Bill and Leon are flummoxed, watching the changes in Justine’s personality with the changes they make on the List. This comedy is hilarious and beautifully acted by all three cast members. Justine in particular embodies her role as fantasy queen and shrills or giggles or bursts into copious tears (“Insecure!”) as the men struggle to find the perfect balance on the List. The idea is to have perfection and have a real human woman too… an impossible feat, as Leon wisely concludes in the last scenes of the play.

But the friends learn a valuable lesson: Leon comes to appreciate his estranged wife and plans to woo her back again; Bill learns he must be more flexible, and sets out to learn to dance to have proper dance with Rachel, the new lady in his life. Both men have had a lair-raising lesson with the phantasmagorical Justine seducing, lecturing, whimpering, banging the pots and pans as she cooks with excessive gusto in a hilarious kitchen sequence. Nadia Khan is extraordinary in her role, beautifully cast as the mercurial Justine whose character is no firmer than the piece of paper it is jotted on. Khan is able to switch from one character trait to another with conviction and charm, zeroing in on the comic points of each change and timing perfectly her zingers and come-ons. This multi-talented actor also does television, radio and print ads locally and abroad. She plays Sam in the popular local soap opera Royal Palm Estate. She is right at home in the highly energetic part of Justine and wins the audience’s heart with her considerable charm just as she captivates Bill in her several guises.

This comedy is adapted and directed by Pablo Hoilett, veteran theatre man who has presented so many fine events to appreciative audiences. Hoilett is aided in his task by solid work of his two lead male actors. Munair Zacca is in fine fettle as the spoiled and cantankerous writer, Leon. He provides wonderful support for Clive Duncan’s Bill as changes sweep through the shabby apartment depending on what has been written on the list (“Likes my friends!”, “Loves kissing me!”). Nadia Khan whirls and giggles on the stage, drawing laughs with almost every speech while Munair Zacca and Clive Duncan give supporting action that signals the next change to come.

Munair Zacca has dedicated over 40 years of his life to Jamaican theatre and television. He won Best Actor in the 2006 Actor Boy Awards and he plays “Sonny T” in Royal Palm Estate. Clive Duncan is an actor with 25 years experience in stage, radio and television. He has performed in pantomimes and roots plays like Man and Woman Problem. He also has appeared on Royal Palm Estate and as Mr. Suave on the reality TV show, Jamaican Barber Shop. Both actors are natural on the stage, maintaining a brisk pace and working off each other’s energy. They are convincing as best friends, energetic and appropriate to the ages they play – aging men who are still seeking love, egging each other on and creating havoc with the Love List.

Pablo Hoilett has created a warm and vital space with the movements around the set that signal magic space for the entrances of Justine. She is a dynamic presence when she is with the two men. Nadia Khan is full of magic and hilarity as she whacks up carrots for dinner with a wicked knife, or as she sings (“She likes singing!”) or weeps in front of the two men. The actors work together with no strain and bring the script to life in Bill’s apartment. Leon lends gravitas, and Bill constantly opens new doors for action. I don’t want to give away more of the plot as the working out of the story depends on watching actors move from credulity to suspicion to fearful interpretation of reality. They are perfect in this arc, sharing moments of revelation with the audience. A slightly over-long moment is the discussion around ‘perfection’ and the role it plays in human relationships. This could be shortened so that the pace does not drag at this point near the denouement of the play.

This comedy is played for full belly laughs with Bill and Justine weaving magic around the more skeptical Leon. It can be enjoyed by everyone of a given maturity and it is presented in enjoyable surroundings at the new theatre, The Theatre Place. The play will run for a while. It has one short intermission and starts on time. Enjoy!

For ticket information, please call 908-0040. Check out the flyer below.

Though the social commentary woven into Reza’s script is rarely heavy-handed, the wit sparkles. At the same time, the cast lends some sophistication to the material and finds the right balance between intensity and light humour. The set design and the wonderfully choppy black-and-white feel add cheeky authenticity.

The two-act play follows three persons – Serge (Issa), Marc (Zacca) and Yvan (Scott) – who’ve been friends for 15 years. Their friendship enters fragile territory when Serge buys an expensive painting. A proud art collector, he’s happy with his latest expensive acquisition and expects the approval of his chums. But marc is horrified and scornfully expresses his disapproval (“You paid $200,000 for this sh–!”) – much to Serge’s ire. Yvan, who is burdened by preparations for his impending nuptials and dissatisfaction with his job as a stationery salesman, is caught in the middle of the conflict and tries to prevent the friendship from falling apart. But his attempts at peacemaking backfire. By the second act, the tension heightens and the three friends square off over the artwork – a monochromatic white piece – using it as an excuse to relentlessly batter each other over various issues in their lives.

The actors’ performances are revelations and they exhibit strong exuberance which serves them well onstage. Not surprising since they are guided by a director who has clearly mastered the ‘art’ (pun attended) of easing the self-consciousness of his actors and getting them instead to focus on the intricate process of character development. Thankfully, Brian Heap, who helms this production, is that director.

The accomplished actors deliver and Heap nurtures their sensitive rapport. Munair Zacca is painfully convincing as Marc (also an engineer). The marvelous Alwyn Scott offers a witty, heartbreaking portrait of Yvan while Paul Issa movingly portrays Serge. The minimal set design, gorgeous lighting and sound effects provide an undercurrent that seems to swell whenever things get really tense. The stark projected images on a mini-screen in the centre of the stage further embellish the dialogue, monologues and mood of the play, which raises serious questions about art appreciation and the value of friendship.

For the most part, the University Players have crafted an entertaining product that is never offensive (the occasional ‘frank’ language aside), sometimes amusing and occasionally poignant. It’s no Shakespeare, or Arthur Miller, for that matter, but in a year that has seen several unintentionally and unfortunately funny material on the local scene, Art is a sure bet.

Serge is proud of his extravagant acquisition and fully expects to have the approval of his friends. Marc scornfully expresses his disapproval, but is it the painting that offends him, or the uncharacteristic independence-of-thought that the purchase reveals in Serge? For the insecure Yvan, burdened by the problems of his impending wedding and his dissatisfaction at his job as a stationery salesman, their friendship is his sanctuary…but his attempts at peacemaking backfire.

Lines are drawn and the three friends square off over the canvas, using it as an excuse to relentlessly batter one another over various failures. As their heated arguments become less theoretical and more personal, they border on destroying their friendship.

Go see it!