Fairfield Theatre - Contributed Montego Bay, st. James:
The Fairfield Theatre in Montego Bay is pinning its hopes on a revival with the launch of its annual season on July 14 with the staging of David Heron's Redemption and a fund-raising drive to restore stolen equipment.
Artistic Director of the Theatre and Manager of Globe Insurance Company's Western branch, Douglas Prout is counting on the support of the corporate community of western Jamaica and theatre lovers to support the new season as well as to make donations towards restoring the 32-year-old theatre which was recently vandalised and equipment valued at over $1 million dollars stolen.
Thieves destroyed the wooden door at the emergency fire exit to the rear of the building to gain entry and systematically removed all the electrical equipment from the technician's booth.
The loss is particularly debilitating as the theatre can no longer operate without a lighting board, power packs, amplifiers, mixer, CD/ DVD player and other electronic equipment which were stolen.
"I am confident we will get the support as the Fairfield has long been a bastion of quality theatre here in the west, and discerning theatre goers and those with an interest in preserving the arts will want to ensure its survival," said Mr. Prout.
Last year Globe contributed $1 million over three years to keep the theatre open. However, the action of the vandals served to reverse much of the theatre'sprogress.
Theatrica
"The theatre needs to be put in a position to continue its service to the community by providing quality theatrica children's workshops, honing and exposing the talents of young actors, while developing a cadre of professional and standard performers," Mr. Prout continued.
Located on the sprawling Fairfield estate, which is now owned by businessman John Morgan, the Fairfield Theatre is noted for staging a wide range of plays from classic Shakespearian productions to local comedies and dramas.
'Redemption,' Heron's fifth play, is a romantic drama featuring the talent of Philip Clarke, Makeda Solomon, Tony Rodney, David Tulloch and Tenny Miller. It focuses on how a man of God, Robert (Philip Clarke), hires an investigator (Tony Rodney/Tenny Miller) to investigate church rumours of infidelity on the part of his wife Linda, (played by Solomon) and a new confident and curiously aspiring male member of the church Mario (played by Tulloch). The play is directed by Douglas Prout.
