Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Ity (left) and Fancy Cat, two of the performers slated for the 'Laugh Till Yu Belly Buss' series. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FRELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
WESTERN BUREAU:
WITH FIVE of the seven comedic performers on Laugh Till Yu Belly Buss at the Knutsford Court Hotel on Thursday night for the official launch of four-stop series there were many laughs, chuckles and guffaws.
However, in addition to the rib-ticklers from Ity and Fancy Cat, Grandfather and Son, Lemon, the programme's MC (major comedian) Owen 'Blakka' Ellis and Bobby 'Inspector Smith' Madden, the serious benefits of laughter were explored.
The JAMCO Entertainment Enterprise tour opens at the Fayor's Entertainment Centre, Mandeville, Manchester, on Saturday, July 30, moving on to the St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in Santa Cruz on Sunday, July 31.
BELLY BUSSERS
The following weekend the 'belly bussers' will be at the Hotel Commingle, Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on Saturday, August 6, then they make a final stop at the Montego Bay Community College, Montego Bay, St. James, on Sunday, August 7.
Granny and Calvin 'Mas Jasper' Morris will complete the line-up, with Jerry D the Vibes Master as MC.
The use of humour in what can be a very 'unfunny profession' was outlined by obstetrician/gynaecologist Dr. Michael Abrahams, whose own good humour showed throughout his presentation. He spoke about stress and said that "humour is the antidote for stress."
"Jamaicans like to talk about stress," Abrahams said, reeling off a few common expressions that testified to this, such as 'what a stress', 'don't stress me out', 'me cyaan tek de stress' and 'yu a stress me lef' breas'.
He said that while we need a certain amount of stress, such as when a person who is about to run a race or perform on a stage, "when you have too much stress, especially over a long time, it is not too good. It affects the
systems in the body, especially the immune system."
AN AMERICAN STUDY
Dr. Abrahams referred to an American study in which some persons recovering from surgery were given a dosage of The Three Stooges, while others also recovering from surgery were not. The ones who had access to the antics of Larry, Moe and Curly recovered faster.
"Being in hospital can be a very stressful thing," he said, describing his use of humour to "relax and distract". One of the distractions is a joke by Blakka Ellis which he often uses when he is removing stitches.
Psychologist Dr. Leachim Semaj dealt extensively with the social benefits of laughter, noting that many of the formal services such as psychotherapy that many people can't afford are afforded informally by the hairdresser and bartender. "The entertainment industry provides that critical safety valve," Dr. Semaj said.
A SERIOUS TALENT
He explored four areas of entertainment, estimating that 75 per cent of people can recite poetry, 50 per cent can sing, 25 per cent can deejay, but only one per cent can really give jokes.
"Anybody who can make people laugh, it is a serious, serious talent," he said. "It is physically impossible to laugh and feel stressed and distressed at the same time." Technically, humour is the second best way to relieve stress." There were knowing chuckles about the unstated number one stress-reliever.
And Dr. Semaj pointed to another physical benefit. "It provides a certain self-improvement. Smiling is one of the cheapest ways to improve your looks," he said.
Fancy Cat gave personal testimony to this in his turn at the microphone in 'Laughing Spwile'. He reminded all of when he just started comedy
and then said 'look pon me!', as his partner Ity hit a door and howled with laughter, along with the rest of the gathering.
