Despite its neglect, the Ward still throws an impressive bulk into the sky over downtown Kingston. - File

Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter

"[The Ward Theatre] is in the heart of Kingston and I think the capital of any country should be a city rich with nightlife, theatre, music and alive with culture. By 6 o'clock, downtown lock down. I picture having the Ward Theatre running and jerk chicken for sale outside and steel pan playing; I see that picture, but maybe I'm just a dreamer."

These are the words of comedian, writer and actor, Owen 'Blakka' Ellis, and some may agree that he is indeed a dreamer.

The once majestic azure building - for past generations an extension of the cheery sky; a little heaven on earth for theatre-goers and those who loved to look at beautiful architecture - is slowly being swallowed by decay.

The building, which was a gift to the people of Kingston by Colonel C.J. Ward in 1912, still towers above the St. William Grant Park, but it is overpowered by the park's stench of stale urine. The less than gracious scent stretches across the littered street and wraps itself around the theatre. The Ward has lost even more of its grandeur with the help of the half-naked and homeless lying dormant in front of it, magnifying the theatre's decrepit state.

Problems

According to Ruby Martin, chairman of the Ward Theatre Foundation, the theatre has a number of problems. "It needs a new roof, an A/C unit and total refurbishing. Over the years we have had problems restoring it. The theatre is the only one in the English-speaking Caribbean and we should take better care of it," she said.

Martin says over the years many fund-raisers have been held in an effort to resurrect the theatre, but they have not been as successful as was hoped. "We have had many fund-raising events and schools coming in to keep activities and that sort of thing, but the place has to be sustained and we have to pay the staff. Closing it down is not an option, because the place would be vandalised in no time," she said.

It seems the fund-raisers have not had the full support of the public because of fear. "Some people are saying the Ward Theatre is in the wrong place, but we can't run away from our city. There is nothing wrong with our city; it is like every other city in the world," said Martin.

According to Ellis, this should not be an excuse. "A few years ago they had a big show at the Ward and they told people to park at the Pegasus and they would provide a shuttle service because of the crime and that sort of thing. Some of the very cars that were parked at the Pegasus got broken into. So crime is everywhere. The other day at the big C&W car park, a singer from TOK had his car stolen and they took the foreigners to Sabina Park, which is not far from there, so that is no argument. We can keep the Ward Theatre through informal and formal means," he said.

Livelihood

"They need to get the people in the area involved, so that they know that protecting the Ward Theatre is protecting their livelihood. Get the peanut man, the orange man, janitors, car park attendants and all of them involved, so outsiders can come in and feel safe because the people in the community know they need to protect it ... Jamaica is an amazing brand - 'brand Jamaica'; it is the cultural capital of the world, but now you have to go to New Kingston to get some entertainment. What about Old Kingston?" Ellis demanded.

Yes, why not protect it and the memories it has fostered over the years? Those of the launching of the People's National Party in 1938 and the Jamaica Labour Party in 1943? Or the many theatre greats, including Charles Hyatt, Ranny Williams, Miss Lou, Leonie Forbes and Oliver Samuels, to name a few, who have strut across the stage reciting lines to the glee of many? Why not?

Ellis, too, remembers when he was much younger and how ethereal the theatre seemed. "I remember the early part of Pantomime when you would step into the theatre; you would just feel like it was this magical place. It felt like a great place then. Now it feels like you're in a different world, but in a different kind of way: the seat dem tear up and the place looks shabby," Ellis said.

Still, why should people care about what happens to the Ward Theatre when the country is plagued with bigger problems? The growing problem of street people, who lie in clusters in the streets and in front of the theatre? Crime? Poverty?

Reflection of life

Ellis says it is "because the theatre is a reflection of life and culture ... Any city anywhere in the world, you should check the centre of the city for a theatre. There are so many things that can be done for the theatre and for the city... The Ward Theatre needs some serious government control and rules or a corporate body. It needs to be restored and managed properly. Just like how they can bring singers to the Golf Club somewhere, they can bring people from Broadway to the Ward. Everyone wants to come here, whether they dance, sing or are involved in theatre. There is space and talent, but they just need an endowment of some sort."

Ellis says some of the blame should lie with those in charge of the theatre for not being as aggressive as they should. "First of all, I think it is mainly the fault of the people in charge; they need to improve in their marketing and public relations or something. Once they find a way, theatre patrons will pay to be the strength of the Ward Theatre. It can be done. In very much the way that they have 'Live at the Apollo' they can have 'Live at the Ward', and TV stations can also get involved and other corporate sponsor," he said.

For now, though, the theatre barely stands with its blue paint slowly stripping from its frame, the wind of indifference stripping away a magical era, a soon to be forgotten time.