Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

The man of the night, Oliver Samuels, was his usual jovial self, dressed in a tuxedo as he was honoured this year as the Theatre Achievement Honouree. Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Olivia 'Babsy' Grange (right) presents Theatre Achievement Honouree Oliver Samuels with his award at the 2007 Actor Boy Awards soiree, held at the Boardwalk, The Pantry, Dumfries Road, New Kingston, on Tuesday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

The Actor Boy Awards honoured some of the best in the theatre business on Tuesday night at the Pantry, Dumfries Road, New Kingston.

A red-carpet event, the venue was elegantly decked out as local actresses and actors mixed and mingled before the award ceremony began. The women looked stunning in long dresses while the men looked dapper in various three-piece suits. The man of the night, Oliver Samuels, was his usual jovial self, dressed in a tuxedo as he was honoured this year as the Theatre Achievement Honouree.

Hilarious opening

The ceremony began promptly at 8:00 p.m., MC'd by the hilarious Christopher McFarlene and Karen Harriott. Presenters for the night included singer Tarrus Riley, dancehall group TOK, Nadia Khan, Leonie Forbes, Dahlia Harris, David Heron and Sakina Deer among others. Cherine Anderson graced the stage looking lovely in pink as she belted out her popular Kingston State of Mind. The Nomaddz performed a reggae dub poet style piece, Cross and Dangerous, while veteran crooner Pluto Shervington closed to a lively response, performing That's the Kind of People We Are and lamenting on his Ram Goat Liver.

There were also performances of clips from nominees in the Best Original Song category by the Bjorn, Nexxus and the Performing Arts Company. They sang What a Pem-Peh Lem from Nuff an' Plenty, Should I Tell Her from River Bottom and A New Day from River Bottom.

Without a doubt the night belonged to Oliver Samuels, the honouree for excellence for 2007. Various persons in the industry such as Volier Johnson, Audrey Reid, Trevor Nairne and others in a video presentation told humorous stories about how Oliver had impacted on their lives before he took to the stage, escorted by two lovely dancers.

Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Olivia 'Babsy' Grange had the pleasure of presenting the award, and she recalled various fond moments of Oliver and his work in the entertainment field. She boasted "Oliver, I mus tek a little credit 'cause I help bus you." Grange said "Oliver is a cultural icon who has for three decades gifted the island with the treasure of laughter."

Oliver got a standing ovation as he made his speech. He was also obviously fond of the minister, as he said, "There's nothing I wouldn't do for this lady; she's always inventing new things for this country." Oliver talked about his tremendous almost 40-year journey in the business with wonderful actors, and stated "I wish all the best for theatre in this country."

In the awards there were 20 categories contested by 16 plays.

More Entertainment Print this Page Letters to the Editor Most Popular Stories