Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
LEFT: Ladies in red are caught in an moment of exultation during Movements Dance Company of Jamaica 25th Anniversary Season of Dance, held at The Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, last November.
RIGHT: Jackie Guy
Time seemingly stood still and a nation mourned en masse when news spread of the passing of celebrated Jamaican cultural icon and folklorist, Dr. Louise Bennett-Coverley, in July last year. Like many persons of his generation, international choreographer, Jackie Guy grieved her death as though he had lost a close family member.
For Guy and countless others, the woman affectionately known as 'Miss Lou' was more than a living legend; she represented a spirited symbol and immediate connection to Jamaica's colourful history and its unique culture.
Overcome by a huge sense of loss with her passing, Guy was moved to pay respect to the iconic woman as best he knew how - by choreographing a work in her honour for the Movements Dance Company of Jamaica. A Jamaican national now resident in London, he created a tribute titled, Only Fi Yuh, which premiered for the Dance Company's silver jubilee anniversary concert season last year and was greeted with rousing approval from audiences.
Only Fi Yuh returns as part of the repertoire of Movements 2007 Concert Season and no one is happier about the dance's remounting than Guy himself.
Fondly recalling his memories of Bennett-Coverley, he likened her to being "our (Jamaica's) Shakespeare and a revolutionary poet."
The essence
According to the choreographer, it was both these qualities that inspired him to set out to capture the essence of Miss Lou and put it into dance form.
He labelled his work that eventually materialised as a loving homage, which he explained "manifests who Louise Bennett was - the spoken word, the rhythmic sensitivity, the call-and-response, the ring games all these ingredients are designed to show the influence she had".
Giving a summation of the piece, Guy pointed out that "you hear her voice on a tape the dancers are moving to what she is saying and at the same time they may be clapping their hands".
"There's imagery going on with the taped music along with the body language and movements," he concluded.
The remounting of Only Fi Yuh for this year's Movements concert season marks Guy's ongoing love affair with the Company, which dates back to its founding some 27 years ago when he acted as a tutor for the then fledging dance company, 'Newbie'.
Almost three decades later the graduate of the former College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST, now UTech) has had a successful career, serving in several capacities as a choreographer of high regard with the University of the West Indies Dance Society, the Middlesex University, Birmingham University, University of Surrey, Liverpool University and the University of London.
Critical success
In more recent times Jackie Guy has experienced critical success as the lead choreographer of the stage musical adaptation of the Jamaican classic film, The Harder They Come by late director Perry Henzell. The musical was hosted by the Theatre Royal Stratford East and UK Arts Productions in London.
He proudly states that the musical broke box office records during its run and presently plans are afoot for it to be revived for a five-week run in February 2008 at the Barbican Theatre in London.
As for what's next in the pipeline for him, Guy hinted that another musical could be in order. This one, he said, is only in the teething stages but its writer, Lorna Goodison, is hopeful that it will eventually make its way to the stage.
Guy said the would-be musical is titled Moziz and "is rooted in the kind of history and sensitivity of Nanny of the Maroons and Marcus Garvey".
In terms of his expectations for Movements new concert season, the choreographer says, "This year should be exceptional because the repertoire is so wide and eclectic, and the audience can look forward to enjoying the varied exciting choreography from the six pieces that will be offered."
The Movements 2007 Concert Season will premiere with its gala performance on Thursday, November 8, and run for a limited engagement through to Sunday, November 11. Tickets are available at the Little Theatre box office.
