Once again, the cultural community mourns the passing of one of its prominent members. This time it is Charles Hyatt, actor/broadcaster, who has left the stage at age 75. His final moments were spent in Florida where, among other things, he was collaborating with a daughter in keeping Jamaican/Caribbean cultural expressions alive for members of the diaspora.

In saluting the life and times of Charles Hyatt, we recall not only his individual contribution to theatre, radio and television broadcasting and popular entertainment as a beloved comedian, but we also reflect on the era in which he and others of his time chose to make their life's work a commitment to the performing arts and at the highest level of excellence.

Hyatt is a symbol of a Jamaica now rapidly passing away, one in which comedy was lusty and ribald but never coarse and unfeeling as is the prevailing and regrettable fashion of today.

His inspiration was drawn from the folkways of rural and inner-city communities wherein resources were scarce but good humour was never short ('tek bad sinting mek laugh'). Hyatt drew upon that foundation in the interpretation of some of his classic characters created for the stage, among the most memorable being Pa Ben in Trevor Rhone's Ole Story Time.

'Charlie', as he was popularly known, developed characters for many other works, from LTM National Pantomimes to heroes and anti-heroes wrestling with modern-day challenges. Whatever the role, however, Hyatt never deviated from the foundation of discipline and striving for perfection, which was the hallmark of the age in which his personal character was formed.

Like many of his time, he played his part in 'colonising England in reverse', according to the late great Louise Bennett-Coverley with whom he was associated in his early theatre years, particularly in the National Pantomime. He played roles in British films, television and theatre and then returned home to share his talent, not only onstage, but in broadcasting and as a contributor to newspaper columns, writing on matters of cultural interest.

He chronicled his early life experiences in the charming little book When me was aboy which remains a best-seller, and he provided radio listeners with many hours of pleasurable listening to his considerable collection of jazz and other popular musical idioms in the programme, It's Charlie's Time. In later years, he was invited to help in the training of a new generation of media practitioners, particularly in the audio medium.

We are advised that he has left behind a sizeable collection of personal writings which it is hoped can be edited to contribute to a much-needed archive of the contemporary history of our people, providing a glimpse into those seminal years of nation-building, a time which held such promise for a new Jamaica, but a promise which we seem to be forgetting at our own peril.

As the Jamaican theatre world and the wider community today recall the contribution of Charles Hyatt, we are reminded of words from Shakespeare's As You Like It: "All the world's a stage/And all men and women merely players ... And one man in his time plays many parts."

Hyatt, in his time, did indeed play many parts, and in so doing brought pleasure to a wide audience. The cultural community and the nation are the poorer for his passing.